Pedersoli 20 ga testing today--any last minute advice?

[RyanGeiler]

Going to test my Pedersoli 20 GA SxS flint later today for the first time. I've done quite a bit of research but wanting to make sure I'm not missing anything before heading out later.

I'm using the following load:

4f Pan Primer (I understand I could use 3f but I have quite a bit of 4f and have had success using it in my .50 Kibler)
75 grains of 3f Goex
1/8 Over powder wad
11/16 Pedersoli Cork Cussion Wad
1 oz #7 lead shot
Over shot wad

Plan on starting to pattern from that and adjust from there. Any thoughts/suggestions/tips before I break it in today? Thanks!

 

[Grenadier1758]

Probably too much powder. I would opt for 65 grains of 3f. Less powder / more lead generally results in a tighter pattern.

Read up on the Skychief load in the sticky notes at the top of the Smoothbore Forum. After all your 20 gauge SxS is a smooth bore.

 

[Big Iron]

I'm using this load.
4F BP in the Pan
60 grains 2F BP
One Nitro Card
One Fiber wad cut in half. (Use both halves, less chance of pattern problems.)
1 1/8 oz shot
Two overshot cards (Less chance of shot leaking out)

It patterns well at 25 yards with a cylinder bore.

BI

 

[Nobade]

That's a huge load for a 20ga. A normal charge for a 20 is 55-60gr 1f or 1.5f.

 

[Sparkitoff]

Square loads work great in Pedersoli barrels.

 

[RyanGeiler]

Surprised to hear that's too much powder---the barrel actually has 75 grains and 1 oz marked on it?

 

[William Lincoln]

The markings will be the recommended, not to exceed type of info.
Put that aside. You use more powder for longer ranges. For testing
and sighting in, you work up your loads by actually varying them and
shooting. I would use 55-60grs in 20 ga. RESULTS=RULE.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Agree with others, more moderate charge will give happier results.

 

[jackpine54]

Have fun! Let us know how it works out.

 

[user 31296]

Hi I use 70 Grains Of 2ff Wano ,Thick over powder card 1/4 inch lubed fiber wad 1/18 once of number 7 shot thin over shot card in my Pedersoli Indian Trade Musket .Busts clay's well when i point at them the right way at 30 yards .Cheers From Australia

 

[Brokennock]

Going to test my Pedersoli 20 GA SxS flint later today for the first time. I've done quite a bit of research but wanting to make sure I'm not missing anything before heading out later.

I'm using the following load:

4f Pan Primer (I understand I could use 3f but I have quite a bit of 4f and have had success using it in my .50 Kibler)
75 grains of 3f Goex
1/8 Over powder wad
11/16 Pedersoli Cork Cussion Wad
1 oz #7 lead shot
Over shot wad

Plan on starting to pattern from that and adjust from there. Any thoughts/suggestions/tips before I break it in today? Thanks!

I have to agree with what most everyone else has said. Too much powder for a 1oz load of shot. I get best patterns somewhere in the range of 10 grains less powder than shot.
Usually 60 to 65 grains 3f powder and 1oz to 1 1/8oz shot for squirrels and pheasants.
I up it to 70/75 grains powder and 1 1/4oz shot for turkey.

No stiff heavy wads between powder and shot. Thin card, lubed felt or tow wad, then shot, for squirrels/pheasants.
Turkeys get the Skychief load, which still only has a nitro card between powder and shot.

 

[Snapshot in Norway]

You can not argue with the versatility of a 20 gauge smooth bore and with a double you can even double the versatility...? For what it is worth, I use 75 gn. of FFg in my Tulle Fusil De Chasse and 1 1/4 oz of #7 for my forest bird hunting and clay birds practice. Now this is a cylinder bore and different loads is best tried out for your desired firearm.

 

[Britsmoothy]

That Pedersoli will handle more than one ounce! What is stamped on the side is for litigation purposes.
Being a flintlock with a slightly larger vent than a percussion gun it will stand some extra powder in the form of equal volumes.
3f is ideal. If you try 4f because it is actually wonderful in shotguns start with 3/4 volume to shot. No, not for safety, but because its probably all you will need per shot.