Shotgun Newbie

[GreyWhiskers]

Need ideas for a turkey load in a 10ga SxS percussion gun. Just borrowed it to hunt turkeys and the owner doesn't remember what loads it used to shoot. Not sure of chokes but right barrel measured .775" and left one was .765". Have never loaded a shotgun from the muzzle in my life. :hmm: GW

 

[Rebel]

First clean all the oil out of the barrels and snap a couple of caps. Then and this is important, POWDER FIRST. :grin: About 80-90 grs of 2f Then try 4 thin overshot card wads, about 1 1/4 oz of #5 or #6 shot and a thin overshot card wad. And ALWAYS remember to uncap the nipple from the unfired barrel if you only fire one shot, before reloading. But the only way to be sure what it is doing is to spend some time working on the pattern.

 

[ssettle]

The 765 sounds like improved cylinder and the 775 is open. Check to see if your gun has Dixie Gunworks stamped on the top rib. If it is I may be able to help you out. Right now I'm patterning my double 10. I got a load for the improved barrel that gives me 39 hits in the head at 30 yards. I use The max powder charge which is 109 grains of 2F blackpowder, 2 overshot cards(not overpowder wads)and 1 felt overpowder wad ,it's felt that 1/8 inch thick. Next it's a load of #6 shot a 2oz. load topped with 1 overshot card.. Now understand the shot charge is a 1/2 oz. over max. The max charge the gun recommends is 109 grains of black and 1-1/2oz. of shot. Use what is safe for your gun! :nono: I did away with my cushion wad because it blows a hole in the pattern.
I also found out my improved barrel shoots to the left so I aim about 4 inches to the right of the target. I'm going to work on the cylinder barrel tomorrow to see what I can get at 25 yards, I'll let you know how it turns out. Ssettle

 

[jdixon]

I've got the same gun, the load Rebel gave you works like a charm. I run the shot load a little higher 1 5/8, other than that the same.

Only advise I have is try to get out and shoot it some before going into the field. More than likely one barrel will not be hitting POA, would be good to figure that out before the hunt. Shooting will also get you use to the gun. Double barrels are trickly just because you have to break some old habits about loading and firing when operating one. Sounds simple enough but, muscle memory and routine are hard to break sometimes. I found it took a few session at the range shooting mine before I was comfortable with it and not making mistakes in loading and firing.

Something else to try, load one barrel kinda heavy, say 105 grains, leave the other barrel empty but, pull the hammer back on it while firing the other off. The test here is to see if the second hammer will drop from the recoil, it shouldn't! If it does obviously you don't pull both hammers back to battery then fire. If you get both those barrels going off at the same time, you'll be a hurting.

 

[jdixon]

I got a load for the improved barrel that gives me 39 hits in the head at 30 yards. I use The max powder charge which is 109 grains of 2F blackpowder, 2 overshot cards(not overpowder wads)and 1 felt overpowder wad ,it's felt that 1/8 inch thick. Next it's a load of #6 shot a 2oz. load topped with 1 overshot card.. Now understand the shot charge is a 1/2 oz. over max. The max charge the gun recommends is 109 grains of black and 1-1/2oz. of shot.

I have been using 90 grains and 1 5/8 oz. of shot in the same gun (Cabela's model with the screw in tubes). After about 10 rounds, I am done. That load beats me up pretty good. The load you are using must deliver a blistering kick! :shocked2: If it wasn't for the results you say you are getting I would suggest backing that down some before you detach a retina or something!

 

[GreyWhiskers]

Thanks for the help, guys. :grin: I'll try it out this week and see what kinda pattern I get and where both barrels are shootin. I'd have never thought about the possiblilty of both barrels going off at the same time. Sounds exciting. :shocked2: GW

 

[GreyWhiskers]

I pulled the barrels and sure nuff it's stamped "109 grains b/p and 1.5 oz shot" This one is a Pedersoli but maybe that's who makes the Dixie gun. I'll probably start at 80 grs of 2f and work up. His powder measure was set at that. Thanks again..............GW

 

[ssettle]

Grey Whiskers, your gun is the same as mine. My left barrel is improve cylinder, I have to aim about 4 or 5 inches to the right when shooting that barrel to get the pattern centered. With the right barrel which has no choke I aim right on the target. As I said before I got 39 hits on a turkey head target at 30 yards with 2 oz. but it beats the manure out of you when touch her off. I patterned the cylinder bore yesterday at 25 yards and got 19 hits in the head. I did try doing without my paper wad cups and didn't get as many hit. I'm glad I'm done cause it beat me pretty bad. Probally wouldn't be so bad if the gun had a rubber butt pad instead of steel. Anyway good luck on load work up. Ssettle