Small Game Load for Pedersoli Classic .12

[JohnL]

First squirrel killed with my Pedersoli Classic SxS .12. 75 grains of FFG and 1 1/8 ounce of a #7 and #8 lead shot mix. Worked well. What size shot do you prefer for small game?

 

[user 49399]

Right now I'm using #6 shot for squirrel and turkey since I got a few pounds of it free. It works fine. 7 always worked good but 8 never seemed to have enough range for squirrels up high.

 

[Britsmoothy]

I tip anything from #7 and up.
I miss equally well with any size but lately been using #5.

 

[user 49399]

BTW, I like the horn strap. Where'd you find it?

 

[JohnL]

BTW, I like the horn strap. Where'd you find it?

I made the horn and bought the strap from Daniel Lamping; I met him through a Facebook group. Great guy.

 

[Ajijaak17]

I use #6 because that’s what happened to be available at the local gun shop when I first got my CVA shotgun. Works pretty well on rabbits, squirrels, and snowshoe hares. Just picked up some #5 from RotoMetals since my #6 supply is getting low.

 

[JohnL]

I use #6 because that’s what happened to be available at the local gun shop when I first got my CVA shotgun. Works pretty well on rabbits, squirrels, and snowshoe hares. Just picked up some #5 from RotoMetals since my #6 supply is getting low.

I’ve got an order in with Rotometals for some bismuth #4 shot for duck. They are backlogged like everyone else at the moment.

 

[Ajijaak17]

I’ve got an order in with Rotometals for some bismuth #4 shot for duck. They are backlogged like everyone else at the moment.

I must have gotten lucky with my order. They got it here in under a week I think.

 

[MountainSmoke]

Congratulations on your squirrel! That is a great looking shotgun. I have been using mostly #5 shot in my cylinder bore 12 gauge. I like 4 through 6 the best for small game with 5 being about perfect. I load 1 and 1/4 to 1 and 1/2 ounces of shot with 80 to 90 grains of 2f or 70 to 80 grains of 3f. I like to wad with tow and the heavier shot charges help with getting enough pellets on target. To be honest I can get a better and more consistent pattern using 2 thin cards over powder and 1 thin card over shot. I just like using natural wadding whenever possible. Good luck.

 

[little jon]

Does your shotgun have screw in chokes? I find it hard to load the fiber over powder wad. Been using 2 wonder wads but i would like to try some plastic wads for turkey hunting. I worry about the petals catching on the choke and the whole thing blowing up. I got the shotgun from Cabalas in 2000, 12 guage double bbl. Any advice? thanks.

 

[JohnL]

Does your shotgun have screw in chokes? I find it hard to load the fiber over powder wad. Been using 2 wonder wads but i would like to try some plastic wads for turkey hunting. I worry about the petals catching on the choke and the whole thing blowing up. I got the shotgun from Cabalas in 2000, 12 guage double bbl. Any advice? thanks.

Mine does have screws in chokes. I haven’t had problems as I use cylinder bore, improved cylinder and modified so far. I’ve heard folks talk about taking the tube out, loading and screwing it back in. I don’t have experience with that though. Sorry sir.

 

[Bosteldr]

My experience...any shot size will work 20 to 25 yds. 30 yds or so 7 1/2 just knock them off the limb/tree or rolls them over just to run away. 5 or 6 works best over all for a kill shot for squirrles rabbits or birds

 

[foxbo]

Great Pic of the shotgun, horn, and squirrel.

 

[JohnL]

Great Pic of the shotgun, horn, and squirrel.

Thank you! That was my first horn and I’m still dragging it through the woods!

 

[ohio ramrod]

I am partial to #6 shot for rabbits, squirrel, quail and pheasant, #4 for larger. I shoot 75 grain FF and 1&1/8 ounce shot as well,. in my 12 gauge.With #7@1/2 shot for the clay birds.

 

[stikshooter]

Does your shotgun have screw in chokes? I find it hard to load the fiber over powder wad. Been using 2 wonder wads but i would like to try some plastic wads for turkey hunting. I worry about the petals catching on the choke and the whole thing blowing up. I got the shotgun from Cabalas in 2000, 12 guage double bbl. Any advice? thanks.

Mine has full/modified ,I use the Sky chief load (modified ) I use 2 Dura Felt dry over powder and one saturated (Olive oil) wad over a 1 1/4 oz load of 6 shot ,a 9 inch at 25 yd paper plate is dead !! The felts slip right by the screw in chokes and do the same job (only better) as cards kept flipping !

 

[oldwood]

My all around favorite all purpose small game load for 12 Ga. is , 1 1/8 Oz. # 5 shot w/ same dipper by volume as the shot of FFG black powder . One .125 card wad on top the powder , and a 1/16 " card on top of the shot. Shotgun has a cyl. bore , both barrels. Pedersoli

 

[3Setters]

I'm the oddball here, but what else is new. I like light loads, 7/8ounces of shot out of my 12 gauge. Easily kills what I hunt within 25 yards.

 

[Euan]

Well Done

 

[TCMonts]

I like 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 oz square loads, card wads only. #7 1/2 for greys and birds #5 for rabbits and fox squirrels. YMMV