magnum load for a 20 gauge shotgun

[cannonball1]

This topic may have been hatched over before, please bear with me. I just made a 12 ga. shotgun. Now I just received the parts for another gun. This one has a 32" straight smooth bore Alex Henry, 20 ga., Rice barrel. My question is using 5 chill what would you say is the maximum shot and powder charge that should be used in this gun.

 

[BillRob]

Maximum? 1 1/8 oz shot. 90-100 grains fff. I would think 7/8 to 1 oz shot and 70-80 grains fff would be a good load - depending on pattern.

 

[Brokennock]

Why?
Why?
Why?

 

[Grenadier1758]

Based on the typical performance of the traditional fowling guns, the question best asked would be, "What is an effective 20 gauge load?" To emphasize @Brokennock's questions, what is the purpose of this load? A so called square load of 65 to 85 grains of 2Fg powder, followed by two to three over shot cards, a load of 75 to 95 grains volume measure of #5 shot, and held in place by an over shot card would be effective for hunting purposes. The lighter side of the loadings for squirrels, rabbits and most wing shot game. The higher end (probably with #4 shot) for turkeys.

Yep, "magnum" loads for a 20 gauge fowling gun is really over loading the gun and is not necessary to be an effective game getting load.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

I think the general rule with shotguns is that if you want to throw more shot, go to a bigger gauge.

 

[64Springer]

Burning powder is the only way to determine what your particular gun will like.

 

[cannonball1]

I'll go by 1 1/8 oz of shot. Thanks to all of you. Sorry brocknnock. I looked at a couple of blogs, but couldn't find the answer I wanted.

I have prepackaged loads of 75 grains of Swiss Powder, 1 1/8 oz of shot, and the wads for the 12 ga. and was wondering if I could use the same powder and shot for both. I'll see how it patterns.

 

[Brokennock]

I have prepackaged loads of 75 grains of Swiss Powder, 1 1/8 oz of shot, and the wads for the 12 ga. and was wondering if I could use the same powder and shot for both. I'll see how it patterns.

So, your reasoning is to make use of some components you have set up already. Correct?
This makes more sense than the usual magnumitis that is normally behind this question.

Basically what you are describing is my standard turkey loaf, at least as far as volumes of shot amd powder go. I load these volumes in my 20 gauge using the Skychief method.

For everything else I use less. More like a touch over 60 grains of powder and 1oz of shot. Usually #5 for everything.


When I 1st switched to hunting turkey with my flintlock I still had the cartridge gun turkey hunter mentality. I was loading 85 grains 3f powder and a 1 1/2 oz load of #5 shot. Gun was fine with it. Recoil was stout though in a lightweight Fusil des Chase. No need for that though.

 

[rich pierce]

For turkeys I’d use 1 and 1/4 oz of #5s. I’d try different powder charges while shooting soup cans at th3 desired range until I get pellets to shoot through the front of the can.

 

[cannonball1]

magnumitis

Is that a word? Yip, Pre-packaged powder and shot and powder for my target rifle.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

.magnum load for a 20 gauge shotgun

When it comes to black powder there isn't one. "Magnum" is a modern powder term, and trying to get anywhere near that amount of lead and muzzle velocity to duplicate the down range results of a modern 20 gauge magnum simply isn't going to work for you.

Better to get a good pattern, and then get the Jake in close to you.

LD

 

[cannonball1]

When it comes to black powder there isn't one. "Magnum" is a modern powder term, and trying to get anywhere near that amount of lead and muzzle velocity to duplicate the down range results of a modern 20 gauge magnum simply isn't going to work for you.

Better to get a good pattern, and then get the Jake in close to you.

LD

Are you telling me my blackpowder 20 ga. will not handle 1 1/8 oz 5 chill shot with 70 grains of Swiss Powder?

 

[nhmoose]

Weight is what counts not shot size.

I shoot 1 1/8 grains of shot and 70 grains of 2ffg in my 20 gauge. Shooting a ball with the same charge is no problem as it is lighter than the shot load.

If your gun is not safe with 1 brand of powder and not another I would not shoot it at all IMHO

 

[cannonball1]

Geez I hope so, it's a new Rice 20 ga barrel. The gun is not even built yet.

 

[Brokennock]

With a new Rice barrel, your gun will be safe with the load you described.

Are you telling me my blackpowder 20 ga. will not handle 1 1/8 oz 5 chill shot with 70 grains of Swiss Powder?

No, your gun will be fine with that. It may or may not be the best patterning load, but it will be safe. What he us telling you is that you won't get that load up to "magnum" 20 gauge shell velocities.
And you don't need to.

I am assuming when you say "chill shot," you are talking chilled lead shot. Steel shot and other non-lead shot is another subject.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Are you telling me my blackpowder 20 ga. will not handle 1 1/8 oz 5 chill shot with 70 grains of Swiss Powder?

No I'm saying to get "magnum" performance you're looking at pushing 1½ - 1⁵⁄₈ ounces of shot of any size, at 1000 fps or more, and that normally still doesn't give you a good pattern from a cylinder bore. The 20 gauge will likely handle 2 oz. and 80 grains of 3Fg, but that doesn't mean you're gaining enough pellets in the critter to justify the stress on the gun nor on your shoulder.

LD

 

[Widows Son]

I’ve only shot clay birds with my 12g.

1oz fffg and 1oz #8 can sure bust a clay pigeon! (When I let better shooters use my gun. I suck at sporting clays!

 

[Mike in FL]

A 12 gauge muzzleloader his about the same oomph as a modern smokeless 20 guage...

 

[user 43911]

A 12 gauge muzzleloader his about the same oomph as a modern smokeless 20 guage...

Based on what loading? Both run about the same in velocity for a standard load with 12 gauge carrying more shot in a standard loading, same speed more mass = more oomph.

 

[cannonball1]

I have the 20 ga. Alex Henry I am past the final rasping point. Before I go to the sanding phase I like to shoot the gun in the blond. Just cuz I want to make sure of no cracking in the stock. I am going to be shooting 70 grains of 2F Swiss Powder, a pillow-ticking .600 patched ball, and three of the white over-shot wads over the powder. I purchased some cushion fiber wads also. Please be patient but here is my question: Should I use the fiber wad between the overshot wads and ball or leave that wad out? I know a lot of you may think it is a dumb question. Just need some thoughts.

I am only interested in shooting the .600 ball at this time.