Shot patterns

[Zutt-man]

With turkey season around the corner and a new smoothie finished, I’m dusting off the decoys and busting out my shooting supplies. It’s a .58 Kibler and I had the barrel jug choked to improved/modified. My goal is to get a good load out to 30-35 yds. I’ll be using #5 shot for the meantime (it’s what I have on me).

I have a few different loads I want to try.

1. Sky-Chief
2. @Brokennock ’s shot cups
3. A combination of the two
4. Cornmeal instead of card with both 1, 2, & 3
5. Standard load with cornmeal

Here are a few pictures of the new completed project. I need to break out the elk rug and gt some quality photos done. In the meantime, please show your patterns and loads you’ve developed!

 

[Zutt-man]

I’ll post my results when done!

 

[Ballshooter]

I can't wait to see.

 

[Zutt-man]

I can't wait to see.

Plan on using your PRB loads as well!

 

[TDM]

The .58 looks Great!!!

 

[Ballshooter]

I haven't tried corn meal with shot yet in my Kibler. My PRB load works well with corn meal. I'll have to try some soon.

 

[Bushfire]

Is there any issue using PRB in a jugged choke gun?

 

[Rob M.]

Yeah , anxious to see all the results ....enjoy !

 

[Brokennock]

With turkey season around the corner and a new smoothie finished, I’m dusting off the decoys and busting out my shooting supplies. It’s a .58 Kibler and I had the barrel jug choked to improved/modified. My goal is to get a good load out to 30-35 yds. I’ll be using #5 shot for the meantime (it’s what I have on me).

I have a few different loads I want to try.

1. Sky-Chief
2. @Brokennock ’s shot cups
3. A combination of the two
4. Cornmeal instead of card with both 1, 2, & 3
5. Standard load with cornmeal

Here are a few pictures of the new completed project. I need to break out the elk rug and gt some quality photos done. In the meantime, please show your patterns and loads you’ve developed!

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Nice gun.

I will be interested to see the results of your testing.
I am skeptical of there being any improvement to pattern using my shot cup/cartridge design in a jug choke. Not that they won't work, I am just suspicious that the cartridge will negate the effect of the jug choke. For the jug choke to work the shot load needs to expand into the jug chamber then compress back down as it exits the chamber and out the muzzle. I'm not sure if the cartridge will allow this..... but I am looking forward to finding out.
I mostly use those for ease of reloading in the field and a slight improvement in pattern for squirrel hunting.
I would also try a cup formed at the muzzle using a strip of paper just wide enough to have the edges overlap when folded lengthwise over the end of a dowel then wrapped around. Length should not extend past the shot load.

Best of luck in your testing. I'm looking forward to your results.

 

[Zutt-man]

Is there any issue using PRB in a jugged choke gun?

Been an endless debate on here it seems. Some say it can’t help, some say it has. At the end of the day, I have another .58 that shoots very well so I can’t say I’d need to shoot prb out of it.

 

[Zutt-man]

Nice gun.

I will be interested to see the results of your testing.
I am skeptical of there being any improvement to pattern using my shot cup/cartridge design in a jug choke. Not that they won't work, I am just suspicious that the cartridge will negate the effect of the jug choke. For the jug choke to work the shot load needs to expand into the jug chamber then compress back down as it exits the chamber and out the muzzle. I'm not sure if the cartridge will allow this..... but I am looking forward to finding out.
I mostly use those for ease of reloading in the field and a slight improvement in pattern for squirrel hunting.
I would also try a cup formed at the muzzle using a strip of paper just wide enough to have the edges overlap when folded lengthwise over the end of a dowel then wrapped around. Length should not extend past the shot load.

Best of luck in your testing. I'm looking forward to your results.

I shared the same thoughts, but I’ve had your shot cup loads written down in my notes for a couple years and dog gonn’it, I have to try them. Like you said, for the simplicity of loading it would be VERY convenient in the field.

 

[Zutt-man]

I haven't tried corn meal with shot yet in my Kibler. My PRB load works well with corn meal. I'll have to try some soon.

I’m not sure it can hurt. If it creates a solid gas seal behind a prb to further center its course of flight, why wouldn’t it with shot? We’re gonna find out

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

You'll be able to use just about any combo and it will work because of the jug choke.

 

[riverrat43]

Just posted a range report. Didn't see your post. Beautiful fowler there.

 

[Zutt-man]

RANGE REPORT!!!

I have a lot of photos I’ll share as this is something I wish I saw on here more often (just for comparison purposes). Because of the amount of photos, I’ll divide them up in three groups and list the loads I worked up.

First, for some clarity:

A. This is a Kibler Colonial .58/24. Beautiful gun I am proud of. The barrel is jug choked to improved/modified
B. The powder used was FFF Schuetzen
C. The wads used were circle fly soaked in olive oil
D. All shot was #5 lead. All of these loads were measured by volume
E. Round ball shots were at 50 yds. #5 shot were at 25 yds (with the exception of one)
F. I forgot to pack cards so I used wads instead. I had enough cards for two shots in my pouch
G. I’m going to show the back of the targets. There’s a pattern on the fronts (see below) that are difficult to notice a shot pattern in. POA was the center for all. These targets are 14” x 14” for reference
H. I made some premade shot cups to use today @Brokennock style. Two varieties: one with 1.5 oz and one 1.75 oz. I used grocery sack paper

Here is an example of the front of the target.

Before I get to my shot loads, I wanted to thank @Ballshooter for his loads on his .58 Kibler. I had shot a few times prior to today and had to do some filing of the front sight to raise POI. Great loads for this barrel.

The loads were 80 gr FFF, 80 gr cornmeal, .15 spit patch and .57 hornady rb.

This was a 50 yard target. First shot was low (see the inserted black sticker) and I filed down the front sight and shot 4 more times. The first shot was 1/2” above the target (I flinched ). The next 3 were very much to my satisfaction.

NOW, WHO’S READY TO SEE THE FUN I HAD WITH SHOT LOADS!?!?

 

[Zutt-man]

1. 80 gr FFF, 80 gr cornmeal, 2 overshot cards, 1.5 oz shot, lubed wad
2. 80 gr FFF, 40 grain cornmeal, 2 overshot cards, 1.5 oz shot, lubed wad
3. 60 gr FFF, 40 gr cornmeal, lubed wad, 1.5 oz shot, lubed wad
4. 60 gr FFF, 40 gr cornmeal, lubed wad, 1.75 oz shot, lubed wad

 

[Zutt-man]

5. 80 gr FFF, lubed wad, 1.5 oz shot cup, lubed wad
6. 80 gr FFF, lubed wad, 1.75 oz shot cup, lubed wad
7. 60 gr FFF, lubed wad, 1.5 oz shot cup, lubed wad

Notice there is only one picture. I got identical results with slugging. I’m not sure if I didn’t cut the excess paper off enough? It was frustrating. Never happened after these three shots though.

 

[Zutt-man]

8. 60 gr FFF, lubed wad, 1.75 oz shot cup, NO WAD ON TOP. Just tamped well.
9. 80 gr FFF, lubed wad, 1.75 oz shot cup, lubed wad
10. 80 gr FFF, lubed wad, 1.75 shot, lubed wad
11. 60 gr FFF, lubed wad, 1.75 shot, lubed wad
12. 80 gr FFF, lubed wad, 2 oz shot, lubed wad
13. 60 gr FFF, lubed wad, 2 oz shot, lubed wad
14. SAME AS #10, I just wanted to make sure it wasn’t a fluke
15. 60 gr FFF, lubed wad, 2 oz shot cup, NO WAD
16. 60 gr FFF, lubed wad, 1.75 shot cup, wad
17. SAME AS #10, but at 35 yds

 

[Zutt-man]

Here are some more reference photos with a turkey decoy. Same loads, 25 yds and then 35 yds

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

YIKES! Too much information.