Finally quit raining and had a decent day so i took the Carolina smoothbore out to try it out. Got to say that Siler lock is pretty fast. Ignition was fast. Had 2 flashes in the pan out of all the shots i fired and no Hangfires at all. Best shot load i found so far is 80 grs of Goex 3f powder, an overpowder wad, half a lubed fiber cushion wad with a thin overshot wad on top of it to keep the shot from imbedding in it when fired, 1 3/8 oz of #5 shot, and on the other half of the lubed fiber cushion wad over the shot. Tried it with different powder loads, with no lubed fiber wad, and with an overshot card wad over the shot. This was the best so far.
Then i decided to try a few rd balls through it. This is my First attempt at shooting a smoothbore with no rear sight, so i wasn't expecting too much. The first shot was 80 grs 3f, an overpowder wad, half a cushion wad, and a ticking patched .600 ball. It hit right on for windage, and about 3" high. Next shot i pulled and knew it when i fired. It was right on for elevation and about 3" to the left. The next shot was in the black, which is about a 1" upside down triangle. Then i bounced an empty tin can around for a few shots. All and all i like it. Need more practice with rd balls, but i think it is a keeper. Used the same flint for all the shooting and never even had to knap it. Need to get out and pattern some more with it before turkey season, which starts April 15.
Then i decided to try a few rd balls through it. This is my First attempt at shooting a smoothbore with no rear sight, so i wasn't expecting too much. The first shot was 80 grs 3f, an overpowder wad, half a cushion wad, and a ticking patched .600 ball. It hit right on for windage, and about 3" high. Next shot i pulled and knew it when i fired. It was right on for elevation and about 3" to the left. The next shot was in the black, which is about a 1" upside down triangle. Then i bounced an empty tin can around for a few shots. All and all i like it. Need more practice with rd balls, but i think it is a keeper. Used the same flint for all the shooting and never even had to knap it. Need to get out and pattern some more with it before turkey season, which starts April 15.
