Beretta!

[3Setters]

Back to the OP, how can you miss those European woodcock, they are so much bigger than ours here in the states. Now sometime I'd like to hear more about how they are hunted in your area, do they migrate? Around here they are hunted over pointing dogs. I have shot a few on the ground, but always with a camera.

 

[Grenadier1758]

Replacing the nipple with a 5/16 bsf musket nipple is not needed it is the method of loading which is the fault . Be it original or repro percussion to load with the hammer at half cock is the fault it leaves a void a percussion gun should be loaded with hammer down to eliminate a misfire , I very rare have a percussion misfire and I often fire a 100 shots in a session
Feltwad.

Not sure I understand how loading at half cock leaves a void. Could you explain?

I'm not sure if I can explain either. When the gun is at half cock, the hammer or cock is not directly covering and blocking the nipple cone. This leaves an airway path open and powder can settle all the way through the breech chamber to the flash channel. Now if one makes sure the spent cap is removed from the nipple recess and the cone, then the nose of the cock seldom fully seals the cone of the nipple and the cock certainly can't fall under any circumstances from half cock so air can be pushed out during the loading process.

A void could occur if the air passage is blocked and the loading components can't be rammed to the breech. Most of us have our rods marked so we would be able to see that the load was not fully seated.

I follow the practice to load with the cock in the full down position to eliminate any chance of the cock getting dislodged from the half cock position. This is especially true when loading a flint lock gun.

 

[denster]

I will be interested to hear how Feltwad explains it. He seems pretty knowledgeable regarding shotguns.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Back to the OP, how can you miss those European woodcock, they are so much bigger than ours here in the states. Now sometime I'd like to hear more about how they are hunted in your area, do they migrate? Around here they are hunted over pointing dogs. I have shot a few on the ground, but always with a camera.

Hi.
We do have some resident woodcock but most arrive from the east, from as far away as Russia.
I just walk woodlands where I know they sit tight during the day.
Never shot one sitting, doubt I could if I did even see one!

 

[Britsmoothy]

So! The dreaded bottom barrel mis fire syndrome associated with this model has become apparent!

And on closer inspection I'm not surprised at all.
There is an m10 stud that is threaded into the breach plug at such an angle to be pointing towards the right nipple.

The first flaw was the rounded bull nosed end of the stud partially blocked the flash channel of the nipple bolster. So that got relieved.

Next I drilled and ported the powder channel that runs through the stud.

The other issue was that the subtle index mark's on the breach plug and stud are causing a misalignment of the powder port and barrel.

When I started this I could not see any light from a bore light in the flash channel. Now I can.
Just got to test now. Hoping for some reliability, the issue has cost me a bird or two !

 

[Feltwad]

I am afraid you have caused another problem which you will find out
Feltwad

 

[Britsmoothy]

This afternoon was much better. Consistent ignition at last.

 

[Historian]

Feltwad, can you elaborate please? Your reply is somewhat cryptic sir and I am curious as to what you mean by causing another issue. I am curious about this model which is why I am asking. Thank you sir.

 

[CTShooter]

I have to think there are well made versions of this shotgun and then some left with issues. I have had 0 issues with mine, only miss fire was caused by a cap not going off. I can run a pipe cleaner into the barrel from the nipple easy.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I have to think there are well made versions of this shotgun and then some left with issues. I have had 0 issues with mine, only miss fire was caused by a cap not going off. I can run a pipe cleaner into the barrel from the nipple easy.

I will see how it goes now but I will if needs be do serious surgery to the plug or design my own!

 

[andy52]

I saw a guy at a rendezvous one time that had taken one of these and turned it into a sort of Howdah pistol he had cut the barrels just in front of the forward band and the stock kinda' like a mares leg. He also had a holster he had made for it.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I saw a guy at a rendezvous one time that had taken one of these and turned it into a sort of Howdah pistol he had cut the barrels just in front of the forward band and the stock kinda' like a mares leg. He also had a holster he had made for it.

How did it perform?

 

[andy52]

How did it perform?

I didn't see him fire the thing but it seemed to me it would have been a handful with anything but a light load.

 

[TFoley]

Most estates driven pheasant days do not allow the shooting of ground game and sitting birds the team captain will give you a red card and asked you too leave .Feltwad

...AND he'll tell everybody around, too.

 

[fleener]

I have come close to buying one of these shotguns several times. I just cant get pass the band that slips on the barrels/stock.

Fleener

 

[denster]

I have come close to buying one of these shotguns several times. I just cant get pass the band that slips on the barrels/stock.

Fleener

I
These are remarkably secure. I have not had the first problem with them on the several I have owned.

 

[CTShooter]

Never had an issue with the bands coming loose.

 

[Feltwad]

Not much action on this thread must ask has it lost its appeal and died .Is it because it is a over and under and a shotgun ?
Feltwad

 

[CTShooter]

I'm very happy with my Beretta, got my load for turkey all set, just picked up 2 tins of caps, some wads, got powder.
My first black powder shotgun, I guess not really knowing what I'm doing helps.

 

[Musketeer]

Not much action on this thread must ask has it lost its appeal and died .Is it because it is a over and under and a shotgun ?
Feltwad

I've been wondering about that aspect. Did they even have o/u shotguns in the percussion era? I've seen pics of o/u rifle/shotgun combos and o/u rifles from the period, but not a gun where both barrels were matching shotgun barrels.