I've shot modern shotguns a few times, years ago, but it was never really my thing. I have nothing against it, but I didn't have a shotgun, and I had no need for one.
My neighbor invited me to go duck hunting, and we drew a really desirable blind. I had recently got a black powder rifle, and it was a ton of fun, so I figured I'd get a black powder shotgun to go with it.
I settled on a Pedersoli 12 ga SxS kit, with improved and modified cylinders. I've never built a gun before, and I've never even held a percussion or flint gun before this (my other BP is an inline). It took about 2 weeks to finish, but most of that was drying time between coats of Tru-Oil (great product, by the way). I was pleasantly surprised by the "simple complexity" of the mechanical parts, while they weren't EASY to understand, it wasn't particularly difficult to figure out how everything worked together in a few hours. It was a great beginner project for somebody with a little bit of mechanical background.
I went out to shoot it yesterday, but was getting about a 50% misfire rate. The caps would go off, but the gun wouldn't fire. When it did go off, every one of them was a brief hangfire. I checked the percussion nipples, and they were spotless. After reading a ton of threads on here I think I figured out that it's a combination of very small flash channels (they seem to be about the smallest factory size available), and the only powder available here at the moment is Pyrodex FFG. I ordered some "hotter" nipples that are supposed to work better with Pyrodex, they should be here in a day or two, fingers crossed. I'll also be keeping an eye out for different powder. Any other advice would be appreciated.
When it did go bang, it was super satisfying, big boom, lots of smoke. It's probably the most fun I've had shooting, ever. I was using #2 lead birdshot (have bismuth to hunt), 1oz by weight, then squaring the powder to that, by volume. One barrel patterns perfectly, the other needs some adjustments with my wads and cards and such. Even so, The milk jugs and old pumpkins that I was hunting didn't stand a chance. I've got some #1 lead buck that I'm going to try next.
I've spent hours reading threads on this forum, and I appreciate all of the excellent advice from most of you guys and gals. I would have had a lot of difficulty getting everything set up without you. Thank you.
I'm always open to advice, criticism, or tips.
My neighbor invited me to go duck hunting, and we drew a really desirable blind. I had recently got a black powder rifle, and it was a ton of fun, so I figured I'd get a black powder shotgun to go with it.
I settled on a Pedersoli 12 ga SxS kit, with improved and modified cylinders. I've never built a gun before, and I've never even held a percussion or flint gun before this (my other BP is an inline). It took about 2 weeks to finish, but most of that was drying time between coats of Tru-Oil (great product, by the way). I was pleasantly surprised by the "simple complexity" of the mechanical parts, while they weren't EASY to understand, it wasn't particularly difficult to figure out how everything worked together in a few hours. It was a great beginner project for somebody with a little bit of mechanical background.
I went out to shoot it yesterday, but was getting about a 50% misfire rate. The caps would go off, but the gun wouldn't fire. When it did go off, every one of them was a brief hangfire. I checked the percussion nipples, and they were spotless. After reading a ton of threads on here I think I figured out that it's a combination of very small flash channels (they seem to be about the smallest factory size available), and the only powder available here at the moment is Pyrodex FFG. I ordered some "hotter" nipples that are supposed to work better with Pyrodex, they should be here in a day or two, fingers crossed. I'll also be keeping an eye out for different powder. Any other advice would be appreciated.
When it did go bang, it was super satisfying, big boom, lots of smoke. It's probably the most fun I've had shooting, ever. I was using #2 lead birdshot (have bismuth to hunt), 1oz by weight, then squaring the powder to that, by volume. One barrel patterns perfectly, the other needs some adjustments with my wads and cards and such. Even so, The milk jugs and old pumpkins that I was hunting didn't stand a chance. I've got some #1 lead buck that I'm going to try next.
I've spent hours reading threads on this forum, and I appreciate all of the excellent advice from most of you guys and gals. I would have had a lot of difficulty getting everything set up without you. Thank you.
I'm always open to advice, criticism, or tips.
