I just obtained a jug chocked 12 gage. I shot it for the first time this weekend at the trap range, too much wind for the pattern board, it just ripped the patterning paper to shreds. I was disappointed in my shooting, missed the first 5 or 6 birds entirely. got a little better with time. After completing the 25 bird round (standard trap layout at 16 yards), i decided i needed to remove the lace on cheek piece that came with it and get my head down closer to the stock. The pattern appears to be pretty tight, several of the few that i was able to hit were thoroughly pulverised. that tells me i need to get my head down on the stock, practice with it, and get to the pattern board on a calm day. I think there will be a calm wind day here right after hell freezes over.
The barrel was easy to load & clean, no loading problems, no hang fires or ignition problems. The jug cut is very noticeable, if you stick your finger in the bore you can feel a definite cut in the barrel. still, there were no loading or cleaning problems due to the jug cut. The gun has a mule ear lock, which i like. So really it isn't a fowler as such.
Load was 85 gr Goes ffg, 90 gr by volume #8 shot, cardboard over powder card, overshot card (did not use fiber wad), CCI magnum caps. I did shoot a few times with 7 1/2 shot, for some reason i felt that i hit birds better with that shot. no hard data, just a gut feel. I will try more 7 1/2 shot next time out (hopefully this weekend). I wonder if the jug chokes like larger shot better than smaller shot? Surely there's not that much difference between 8 & 7 1/2? But we shall see.
sorry for the long winded reply. I don't know if this will help you or not, but it's posted with good intentions.
rayb
