shotgun loads for trade gun

[11th corps]

Now that I have had my n/w trade gun out to the range and fired round balls, I am ready to try shot. Although I have fired many a smokeless powder shotshell, I have not ever loaded a ml shotgun.
What loads do you recommend to start? I know I need powder shot and wads. What should I look for at the gun store?

 

[No Deer]

Well, not knowing what gage your gun is, I will just suggest that you start at about 65 gr. of powder, with equal volume of shot.

In my 20 ga. for my turkey load I use 65 gr. 2f, 3 overshot cards, 1/3 to 1/2 lubed felt wad, 1 1/4 oz. #5 shot and one overshot card.

You will need to experiment and see what your gun likes. Chose a starting point and fire a test pattern. Then start varying components, only vary one component at a time, to find what works best. Go up in powder in 5 gr. increments until you get the best pattern, then try some different powder (if you were using 2f try 3f, or vice versa). Next vary the over powder cards. You may want to try overpowder cards and overshot cards. If you use overshot cards, try different # of overshot cards. Don't be afraid to experiment. When you get your best pattern with that, start experimenting with the wad. Use no wad, 1/4 wad, 1/3 wad, and 1/2 wad. Again find what gives the best pattern. Then vary the shot. Start with 1 oz. go up and down and see what works best.

Eventually you will find what your gun likes and you will have a good excuse to go burn some powder.

All this makes for a fine day at the range.

I also suggest that you read Bob Spencers "Blackpowder Notebook", lots of good info in it.

http://members.aye.net/~bspen/

Good luck and have lots of fun.

 

[Runner]

I have a 12 guage shotgun. For turkey I use 90 grains of 3f under a nitro card, half a prelubed cushion wad, 120 on the messure of 6's, and half thickness of a nitro card for the overshot card. Warning, that load kicks like a mule in a light gun! Dropped my gobbler at 40 yards this year with it tho. For squirrels and light loads, I use 60 grains under about 80 of shot.

 

[musketman]

Suggested loading procedure...

 

[11th corps]

Thanks musketman. That was exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for all the responses.
BTW, its a 20 gauge

 

Using MM's illustrations I would start with a 70/80 load. That's what I'm using in my 20Ga. Fusil.(See TG I'm not calling it a Tulle anymore, cause that's a city in France) 70 gr. FFg, and 80 gr. of shot. by volume, i.e. same measure. This is my base load. I then increase my powder up or down to see how it affects the pattern. You will probably find that 70/75/80gr. of FFg, one of these will be your best pattern. Stick with one shot size when doing this. You will have to experiment some more if you change shot size, there won't be much difference but there will be some. Again my favorite load is 70/80 of #6 shot, loaded the way MM illustrated so beeutiflly.. :imo:and :m2c:Bill

 

[Leatherbark]

My Jackie Brown Carolina Smoothbore in 20 gauge shoots well with 70gr of 3fg ,nitro wad,Crisco lubed cushion wad,1-1/4 oz.of #5 nickel plated shot,overshot wad........At 30 yards will penetrate a steel spray paint can both sides, with a good squirrel killing pattern........Bob