Not ready for prime time

[Slamfire]

Took the Renegade Smooth Bore out today, as it has finally warmed up enough to sit on the ground. :winking:
Started out with 55 gr FFg, 1 9/16" card wad, made of gasket material, 1 .54 cal wonderwad, 1 oz. #6 shot and topped off with another card wad.
Pattern density was not what I'd hoped for, and only 4 lethal hits on a turkey target.
Increased powder charge 5 gr FFg at a time, until I got to 70 grains, keeping everything else the same. Pattern seems to open up with each increase in powder charge.
Dropped back to the original powder charge and replaced the wonder wad with 2 additional card wads. Started out with less density than the beginning load, and continued as before with the same results.
Back to square one, with 1 1/4 oz of shot, only card wads. First shot produced the second best density, but as the powder charge increased the density decreased.
Tomorrow, the card wads will be cut from a 12 pack box, and the cushion wads from foam egg cartons.
I hope I find somethin' before I empty this bag of shot, #6 is hard to find hereabouts. :haha:

 

[Swampman]

Foam egg cartons seem like a bad idea. More shot is always good. That's an awful small bore for turkeys.

 

[Rebel]

At what range are you shooting? I am having the same problem working up a load for my Jackie Brown .20 ga smoothbore. I can't seem to get a killing pattern past 20 yds. Guess i will have to keep my shots to that range if i don't find a better load before turkey season opens April 15th. You might try 60-70 grs of 2f powder and
1 1/4= 1 3/8 oz of shot. That would be 90 gr and 100 gr equivilent of shot. You could make some paper shot cups and try them too. Also you may want to check and see if a .28 ga is legal for turkey hunting in your state. It isn't here.

 

[AZ-Robert]

I hope I find somethin' before I empty this bag of shot, #6 is hard to find hereabouts. :haha:

These guys will hook you up... about $23 for a 25 lb bag, add just about $8 for shipping to make it $1.25 per lb of shot. Same shipping charge will cover two bags... $1.10 per pound.

Generally, more powder (without increasing shot) = more dispersion.

 

[J.D.]

Try .135, or .200 hard card wads, over powder. Wads cut from any light cardboard just aren't up to the job of sealing the bore. Gas leakage can cause blown patterns.

It also helps to increase the shot charge. You don't say if you are shooting cap or flint, but 1 and 1/2 times more shot than powder, by volume, seems to give consistently good patterns for most folks, especially with flintguns.

When it comes to shot charges, more shot than powder is usually better than equal volumes of each. At times, adding even more shot will tighten 30 yard patterns.
J.D.

 

[The Baron]

Keep trying. A .54 is a tad small for turkey, so keep in mind you may have to live with a maximum range of 15-20 yards. Don't be discouraged because your patterns are not 40 yard killers, like with so many "modern" guns. I had to use light loads in my old antique 11ga. percussion, so I had a maximum range of 15 yards, but I still killed my two birds with it two springs ago (first year I hunted with BP).

Find the best pattern you can and rise to the challenge of using your bushcraft to fool old 3 toes. It may take a while, but the thrill is in the chase and the rewards are great when it happens at such personal distances. :thumbsup:

 

[Russianblood]

I use Circle Fly 28 gauge overpowder and fiber cushion wads and 24 gauge overshot cards in my .56 Renegade. Try 60gr 3F and 90gr volume of very hard (copper or nickle plated) shot and see if you patterns don't tighten up some.

 

[Slamfire]

I'll se if I can remember to answer all the questions.
The distance was 25 yards, I'd like to keep that if possible, but I'm not a novice at killin' turkeys, and won't take a big chance of one gittin' away.
I have made shot cups by winding post it notes around a 1/2 " dowel and double wrappin' them. The State of Tennessee demands we only use #4, 5 or 6 shot, and won't allow us to use a .410. I s'pect they ain't notice the 28 gauge yet, but thanks to the Vice President that won't last. :shake:
I sure wish I knew where to get copper or nickle plated shot, heck I'd settle for "magnum" which is supposed to have 1% more antimony than "chilled".
I did take the advise of not usin' the foam for cushions, but I did cut up a bunch of thin cardboard, to try alongside the gasket material. Tommy comes legal on Saturday, so I'll just have to fall back on my 20 gauge pump. :redface:
If'n I ain't mentioned yore post don't mean I ain't grateful for your suggestion. I'll keep tryin' 'em until one works. But, maybe next year. I know, but I kept bettin' on the Brooklyn Dogers.

 

[Rebel]

You might be able to get the shot you want from Ballistic Products. I don't have their web addy or phone number, but someone here might.
I found it online. Here it is.
[url] http://www.ballisticproducts.com[/url]/

 

[paulvallandigham]

Go to any trap club, or sportings clay club in your area, and ask where a local supplier of shot can be found. The supplier can get you the shot you want. Shotgun shooters go through hundreds of pounds of shot each year just in practice, and you don't play the trap shooting game very long before you locate good sources for components.

Paul

 

[Slamfire]

Paul, there are dozens of places nearby that sell shot, but they only handle 7 1/2 or 8. 6s, nickle or copper plate is asking too much, they don't even want to order it for you. :nono:
This area is a big zero for muzzleloading of a traditional kind.

 

[paulvallandigham]

That is why I suggest you talk to the nearest trap range or club. The trap shooters will always know a source. You can also find sources on the internet, that will ship directly to you. Get together with other friends who shoot, and place a combined order. Order enough for a couple of years. The stuff only goes up in price, so what you pay today will seem a bargain tomorrow.

 

[AZ-Robert]

These guys will hook you up... about $23 for a 25 lb bag, add just about $8 for shipping to make it $1.25 per lb of shot. Same shipping charge will cover two bags... $1.10 per pound.

Ooops! :cursing: Just noticed I forgot to paste the link into that post!
[url] http://www.precisionreloading.com/2004catalog.htm[/url]

 

[Slamfire]

That's ok, I just picked up a copy of the turkey regs, and 28 gauge shotguns are NOT allowed. I guess I'll have to wait for fall grouse. :haha: