Hey all, I think I just found the load for the 16 gauge fusil. I tried 2 felt wads over 60 grains FFG, 1 1/8 oz. of #5 shot and one over shot card. I shot a target at 25 yards and I was surprised, 132 pellets in a 20 inch circle. There are only about 191 pellets in that charge. That's 70% of the load in a 20 inch circle!! I tried the jug choking myself using a hone from Brownells. It's real hard to get an accurate inside reading using calipers and a micrometer, but I think it's around .010. Anyway the pattern has some holes(very small ones), Lord help the critter that's centered in it though. I'll keep you all posted on anymore progress (or lack of)that I have using the felt wads. YAHOOOOOOO!
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Results of DIY jug choking
- Thread starter Trapper
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Nice work! I have an 11 ga smoothie that I used a hone from Colonial Arms on. Dont have a micrometer, just did a little shooting between honing time. My patterns went from terrible at 25 yds to 90 pellets in a 13 inch circle. I use a heavier load in the 11 of 2 and 3/4 oz of #5 Bismuth over 80 grains of black powder. I probably could have honed a little more but its to darn cold to shoot here in WI. I will wait for some warm weather. Sounds like you found the sweet spot on your 16!
So how did you go about doing it? Did you try to taper each end of the choke or what? How long did you hone in each area to get it the same and how long is the choked area? How far back from the muzzle did you start it? Do you think it will still shoot rd balls ok? Need some details here fellas. :grin: Boy that 2 1/4 oz load is twice as much shot as normally used with 80 grs of powder. How is the penetration?
I started the taper about 1 1/2 inch back from the muzzle.I then pushed ithe hone in about 4- 4 1/2 inches,use lots of wd-40 and clean the stones off after about 5minutes. Just keep running the hone in and out for about a half hour. I put tape on the hone to visually keep me honing the same taper. By running it back and forth it automaticallly creates a taper. Check the inside diameter before you start honing with calipers and measure and marke down the reading. Take another reading after 30 minutes, this will tell you how much you honed out of the barrel. Clean barrel.Then you get to 005. test fire for a pattern. Good luck. Keep the questions coming.
Trapper, thanks for the posts. I'm all ears ... or eyes, too.
Shot two round balls off hand and the accuracy seems to be OK. 60 grains FFg and .010 patch .648 ball no overshot card over ball.At 25 yards it printed 2 inches high and 2 inches to the right.I have not done any extensive testing on it yet.But if I was a deer I'd be mighty nervous inside 70 yards!
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I did pretty much the same except started 2 inches back from the muzzle, tried to make a little longer and slower taper near the muzzle end with about 4 inches of expansion area and a more abrupt taper at the rear. I also marked the hone shaft and used the recommended honing oil from Colonial Arms. I got very good penetration of shot and very good force against the target, in fact my free stand target went over a few times. I want to get a calipers to check how much I have removed. My total time of honing on my 11 ga. was about 45 min. I know this is a heavy load but the gun shoots best with heavy loads. I tried 1&5/8 oz and it was ok but I really like dense patterns for turkey and geese. If we get some warmer weather I will shoot more and try to get more information for you. I have not tried round balls yet.
Thanks for the info. I am a bit leary about honing inside my barrel where i can't accurately tell just how much i am removing. Does this Colonial Arms place you got the hones from have a websight? I would like to know how well yours shoots with rd balls since i want to be able to hunt both turkeys and deer and elk with this gun. How are you going to measure down inside the bore 4" with calipers? Must be missing something here. Wouldn't be the first time. How long is your barrel? Wonder how it would work on a 30" .11 ga.?
paulvallandigham
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Use the old fashioned, inside calipers. They can reach down about 5 inches if the arms are long enough. Certainly, the standard variety i have will reach in 2 inches plus. You run the caliper into the barrel where you want to measure, set the screw to lock the two arms apart, and then pull the caliper back out. The two arms can contract, but can not expand, against the spring, or the screw set. Use a micrometer to measure the distance between the two arm ends.
Thanks for the explanation Paul. Makes sense now.
Well this is an inspiration and motivation. I have one of the early New Englanders that has the straight cylinder bore. I might as well shoot confetti to wish 99% of the grouse bon voyage as I hunt without a dog and they are well out of range by the time I'm cocked and on 'em.
Actually, I do hunt with a dog, but I can't convince Jake to walk AHEAD of me.
"There could be ticks. You go first, boss"
Actually, I do hunt with a dog, but I can't convince Jake to walk AHEAD of me.
"There could be ticks. You go first, boss"
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