With the planned Memorial Day activities and the forecast of possible severe storms this afternoon, I figured that if I wanted to try my new Pedersoli Howdah Hunter, I better get up early and get to the range at first light. It was a grand morning to be out, and, I had the place to myself. I was really impressed at the big smoothbore's accuracy and power. Mine is the 20ga X 20ga model. This is quite a pistol. I settled on a load of 35 grains of FFF Goex with a .600 ball patched with .018 greased linen patches. The lube I used was Old Zip, for no other reason than I have plenty of it. After a few initial sighters, this 6 shot group at 25 yards shows an extreme center to center spread of 5.5 inches. I used the same 35 grain charge with 2 paper shot cups of 1 1/4 oz of #5 shot with 3 over shot cards over the powder and 1 card over the shot cartridge and it printed 30 bb hits within the 12" diameter scoring rings. This pistol is a hoot to shoot. The only problem I had is that with my small hands and the double triggers, the trigger guard wants to keep peeling the hide off my middle finger. Gonna half to work on that. The Howdah is pretty massive and I also have to experiment with ways to carry it. Cabelas sells a holster, but, I'm thinking the gun is a little heavy for belt carry. Perhaps a bandolier type rig like guys use for the big Thompson Center Contenders would be the way to go.
