.45 Caliber Shotgun Advice

[fjrdoc]

Hi everyone. I've been a member here for some time and I follow the post updates on a daily basis. I would appreciate and info members might be able to give me regarding loads for a .45 caliber shotgun.
I have a Dixie Gun Works PA long rifle kit that my father got for me as a Christmas present in 1976. Unfortunately, I have never been able to get this rifle to shoot accurately despite experimenting with charges, patching and ball diameter. During COVID, I was able to finish a flintlock that had been on the back burner for many years. This rifle is extremely accurate.
I thought that I might be able to use the Dixie kit rifle as a shotgun. I have not had any prior experience with muzzle loading shotguns and I was hoping that members could give me some suggestions for loads. I intend to try this firearm on PA squirrels.
Thanks in advance

 

[Britsmoothy]

Is it a smoothbore?

 

[fjrdoc]

No. It is rifled, but very shallow.

 

[TreeMan]

It won’t shoot worth a hoot with shot if the barrel is rifled. You planning on getting it bored smooth first?

 

[fjrdoc]

I wasn't planning on investing any more money on this firearm. Just thought that I would give it a try with shot.

 

[Britsmoothy]

You'll have 15yards at best. That's what I got when I had a 45 rifle many many years ago now.
I would still try though.
My 45 smooth rifle shoots 5/8-3/4oz good on slightly less volume of powder.

How about trying an unpatched ball in your rifle. Use some wadding top and bottom of the ball. May be the rifling will just about turn the ball enough. Or try a firewall of some type under a loose patched ball?

 

[user 49399]

I have used shot in a Thompson Center Hawken .50 caliber with shallow rifling. I used 40 grains of 2f, brown paper wadding, about 60 grains of #6 shot and topped off with brown paper wadding. Was able to kill pop cans out to 20 yards with it.

 

[Hermit Tim]

In my .45 smoothie I shoot about 60 grains of 2F with about the same amount of mixed shot. Recently started using raw sheep wool for wadding over the powder and shot. Works great in my gun but don't know about a rifled barrel.

 

[fjrdoc]

Thanks guys. I might as well give a try. What do I have to loose?

 

[Hermit Tim]

Thanks guys. I might as well give a try. What do I have to loose?

Nothing to lose at all. Except maybe a little bit of shot and powder. And you might have some fun doing it. And it might just work. Please let us know how it turns out.

 

[windini]

Thanks guys. I might as well give a try. What do I have to loose?

That's the spirit! Looking forward to your range report.

 

[Brokennock]

I wasn't planning on investing any more money on this firearm

If the gun won't shoot well as a rifle it's not worth investing more in it,,,, as a rifle.
But, to turn it into a smoothrifle should be worth some money if you like to hunt squirrels and small game.
Two different investments in my mind.
Better to spend the money to bore it smooth and have it shoot shot well, than waste money on shot that is being flung and spun from a rifle.

 

[stikshooter]

I wasn't planning on investing any more money on this firearm. Just thought that I would give it a try with shot.

Save shot save money and buy a 12 ga/Ed

 

[Brokennock]

How does nearly doubling bore diameter save shot?

 

[Britsmoothy]

There is nothing wrong with a .45" smoothbore.

 

[Brokennock]

There is nothing wrong with a .45" smoothbore.
View attachment 173682

Well, there is something wrong with that one.


I can't find it's twin available here. Lol

 

[user 49399]

There is nothing wrong with a .45" smoothbore.
View attachment 173682

Oh man! I like that gun!

 

[Britsmoothy]

Well, there is something wrong with that one.


I can't find it's twin available here. Lol

There was a couple on guntrader UK....I don't know if they can ship to you?

 

[Britsmoothy]

https://www.guntrader.uk/guns/shotguns-black-powder/armi/muzzle-loading/45/200725120304005

 

[Brokennock]

https://www.guntrader.uk/guns/shotguns-black-powder/armi/muzzle-loading/45/200725120304005

I wish you had sent that as a pm.