Too much powder?

[Kev308]

I have been spending a fair amount of time trying to work out a good shot load for my smoothbore. Both are .62 one a fowler the other a shortened Fusil. I have tried pretty much every loading technique found on this site. I have settled on 85 gr 2f cornmeal buffer and 90 gr of #6 shot covered with a card.
This combo works well but I’m wondering; is this too much powder?
Do I need to load it this hot? What do you all suggest?
This is intended for small game only, I’m going to work on a turkey load at a later date.
Thanks,
Kevin

 

[Rob M.]

To each their own ...I shoot 60 gr.2F in my 20 ga. N.W. gun no matter what the projectile is . Ive killed a lot of critters with my trade gun . The only ones ive ever lost after hitting them was squirrel . After I switched to #5 ive never lost another .

 

[TDM]

Agree with @Rob M.

Try 60-65 grains and keep your 90 grains of shot.

 

[Banjoman]

Agree with @Rob M.

Try 60-65 grains and keep your 90 grains of shot.

Same here.

 

[tenngun]

Another vote for less powder more shot. 60-65 grains 1-1/2 ounce shot

 

[Brokennock]

It isn't necessarily "too much" if it patterns well. But would seem closer to a turkey load.
I run about 60 to 65 grains 3f or 2f (preferring 3f) and 1oz of #5 shot for squirrels and pheasants.
Whether your current load is "too much" or not could depend on a few factors. The primary one is pattern. Does it pattern well, and,,,, to how far... Which is the second factor that quickly comes to mind.... How far out, or how high up, is your average shot at a squirrel where and when you hunt? If your shooting your squirrels way high up in the tops of trees,,, you may need that much. But, that would be irrelevant of it doesn't pattern well at that distance.

 

[The Crisco Kid]

I suspect that the longhunters of old used the minimum amount of powder needed to get the job done. With the cost and availability of powder these days we are in the same situation. Why burn up 85 grains if 50 or 60 will work just as well?

 

[Kev308]

My best results were at 20 yards I started at 25 but things were just too spread out. So I moved in to 20 and the patterns were much better
Kevin

 

[Rob M.]

If need be ...try shot cups . My NW gun throws horrible shot groups unless I use a shot cup.I make ...I wrap.paper around a dowel.rod , front open bottom.twist shot , hornets nest wadding or grass on top.....works great

 

[Britsmoothy]

2f! That's the problem . It's not waking up until near the muzzle.
Get some 4 or 3f.

 

[Jeff Davis]

If it's a good performance load then use it even duelist1954 says if it shoots good in your gun then go with it

 

[Brokennock]

If it's a good performance load then use it even duelist1954 says if it shoots good in your gun then go with it

Well there you have it,,,, if duelist1954 says it's okay,,,, it must be gospel.

 

[Jeff Davis]

Guys if it shoots in his gun then leave him alone instead of being know it alls. Encourage people who are asking questions with good information but don't be arrogant about it. It's no wonder why we are going to see the hobby die once All the arrogant blue hairs are gone.

 

[wiscoaster]

Agree with @Rob M.

Try 60-65 grains and keep your 90 grains of shot.

Ditto that advice.

 

[tenngun]

My best results were at 20 yards I started at 25 but things were just too spread out. So I moved in to 20 and the patterns were much better
Kevin

We do need to think in terms of close range.

 

[bud in pa]

When I was much younger and did a lot of rabbit hunting in NJ in the 60's. Everybody talked about patterning their shotgun at 40 yards. Most of my shots at rabbits were within 40 feet, and I wondered why I couldn't connect that often with a double barrel both chocked full! A 75 foot tree is a very tall tree, that's 25 yards. Most of my shots are within 50 feet.

 

[Kev308]

Its funny how a few extra feet can make such a difference! I started out at 25 yards as stated, and noticed there was always- no matter what combination of card, wad,buffer, or powder- there was always a hole in the middle. So one day my brain said try it at 20 yards and see what happens….would you look at that, the hole was gone. Next up I’ll try the lighter powder charge. That may have to wait a week or two as last sunday morning I came very close to being an ex muzzleloader, when my heart decided to go rogue. And right now to get to the range I have to get past my bride, and my daughter. I am not that brave.
I really enjoy coming here theres always help and good advice. It’s a good place to be
Thanks
Kevin

 

[Britsmoothy]

Its funny how a few extra feet can make such a difference! I started out at 25 yards as stated, and noticed there was always- no matter what combination of card, wad,buffer, or powder- there was always a hole in the middle. So one day my brain said try it at 20 yards and see what happens….would you look at that, the hole was gone. Next up I’ll try the lighter powder charge. That may have to wait a week or two as last sunday morning I came very close to being an ex muzzleloader, when my heart decided to go rogue. And right now to get to the range I have to get past my bride, and my daughter. I am not that brave.
I really enjoy coming here theres always help and good advice. It’s a good place to be
Thanks
Kevin

The lighter charge will work better with 3f or finer still. Promise!
I refuse to use anything else now after 30 years of hunting with a muzzloader.

Powder I have is half way between 3&4f.

 

[Juice Jaws]

I have been spending a fair amount of time trying to work out a good shot load for my smoothbore. Both are .62 one a fowler the other a shortened Fusil. I have tried pretty much every loading technique found on this site. I have settled on 85 gr 2f cornmeal buffer and 90 gr of #6 shot covered with a card.
This combo works well but I’m wondering; is this too much powder?
Do I need to load it this hot? What do you all suggest?
This is intended for small game only, I’m going to work on a turkey load at a later date.
Thanks,
Kevin

Like most have said on here, 60 - 65 have always work for me. Don't know if you are just beginning in the sport but I have found out most new guys like to burn way too much powder.

 

[new2bp]

It may help your powder to think about what is printed on modern shotshells that you might use - the "drams equivalent" markings.

One dram is 27 grains of powder.... so a 54 gr load would be the 2 drams, and the mid 60s would get you the 2.5 dram that quite a lot of modern "light" field/target loads claim to duplicate.