20 bore duck loads

[16gauge]

I have a few ducks in the freezer now, and hopefully the flights will be coming through here soon. I have thought about taking my 20 bore trade musket out for a try or two. I'm just wondering what other people's experiences have been with the 20 bore flintlock, and what loads/charges have you found to be the most efficient (i.e. 70 grains of FFg under 1 oz of shot, 70 grains of FFFg under 1 1/8 oz of shot, ect.)
Also, I have both bismuth #6 and #5 shot....was thinking about the #5s, but I'm open to suggestion....thanks in advance.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Either load should do fine, though I'd recommend you shoot a few test patterns before going to the marsh. I think the #6 shot should have enough penetration for 40 yard shots and likely your patterns from the cylinder bore will only be good to 25, maybe 30 yards so no point in reducing the pellet count by going with the #5 shot.

 

[paulvallandigham]

Iwould recomment 2 1/2 drams of powder( 60 grains) of FFg powder, and 1 1/8 oz of #5 shot for ducks in either gun. The pellets have the energy to kill out to about 35 yards, and you would have to go to #4 Bismuth shot to get more energy per pellet, but would have far fewer pellets in your load. Pattern the load to determine what wads you need to use.

 

[ffffg]

I personally have had poor results using number 5 bismuth with bp velocities.. You will need to be close enough and with enough pattern to break wings with northerns with winter plumage.. If you get frontal/side shots with incoming birds to decoys 25 yards you may be able to use either.. If jumping ducks with butt shots common, i would use number 4 shot... If you hunt spring creeks during cold weather you should be able to get within 20 yards of ducks if you know your area.. at this range number four shot would have enough pattern and pennetration to do the job well.. Number 5 may work you ll have to try it.. I personally believe number 5 shot at bp velocity just doesnt have the critical mass to do a good job.. What ive found is that bismuth number five runs small, and bismuth number 4 runs large.. They may have used the best sizes (large 5 and small 4) in their loaded shells dont know.. In a chambers 16 gauge, I use 1 1/4 oz number 4 bismuth over 90 gr of 3f in warm fall and more shot in very cold weather.. It swacks ducks with body shots up to 35 yards with no problem whatever angle they are at.. If your velocity is high enough tho, like the 20s tend to do with ball, you may be ok.. Alot of guys use pretty heavey loads in the 20 but i cant advise you to do that.. dave..