I shoot roughly 60/40 since I have started shooting what many consider the ugliest trap gun ever, the Browining Cynergy. I tested one on a whim and was hooked on how it felt...my K32 now sits in the safe more and more often.Whatever you decide on it would be best if you could get the feel of it before you buy it. Being a trap shooter myself fit is everything. Regulating a barrel is the next thing I look at - 60/40% or 70/30% depending on your reactions and style of shooting at rising targets.
Great info....I have been looking at the Mortimer and Gibbs shotguns and would love to find an original gun in shooting condition. Thanks...I only shoot a hundred clays a year now, but enjoy using the guns pictured below.
View attachment 41812
The original Nock 13 gauge pictured on top is very light, with instant ignition and an unchoked Damascus barrel.
The Mike Brooks fowler has a 12 gauge Getz barrel jug choked modified.
The production Pedersoli Mortimer on the bottom is heavy. I removed the 1 1/2 pound stock weight, but still find the chrome lined barrel makes it heavier than it needs to be. After having the lock improved by Brad Emig ignition was instant. All three guns feature similar construction details important to a shotgun shooter. They all feature hooked breeches and keyed construction for ease of takedown and cleaning. Each has performed best with 3 drams of 2FG powder behind 4 pieced overshot cards, 1 1/8 -1 1/4 ounces of shot topped off by 1-2 pierced overshot cards. These standard loads are very comfortable to shoot. For trap shooting the weight of the Pedersoli shouldn't be objectionable. You can pick up a used Pedersoli Mortimer for $1,000.00 or less. The chrome bore will prevent you from being able to jug choke it, but it should still perform well at 20-25 yards. Like most production guns, the flintlock will benefit from a good tuning, and pan to barrel fit may require some patience and care to adjust. It's a lot of "bang" for the buck. Be prepared to spend $3-4,000.00 and 2 years waiting for a nice custom half stock flint fowler, or invest $4-6,000.00 on a nice old original. I use the Pedersoli as a low cost "training" gun for those interested in, but inexperienced with flintlock fowlers.
No offence your image of the three flintlocks look well but are not traditional to shoot trap these are the style of sporting flintlock sporting guns .Has I have said flintlocks were not used has live pigeon shooting the for runner to trap which began in the percussion period .Some of the replies to this thread are not too the rules of the Muzzle Loaders Forum so come on members lets keep it traditionalI only shoot a hundred clays a year now, but enjoy using the guns pictured below.
View attachment 41812
The original Nock 13 gauge pictured on top is very light, with instant ignition and an unchoked Damascus barrel.
The Mike Brooks fowler has a 12 gauge Getz barrel jug choked modified.
The production Pedersoli Mortimer on the bottom is heavy. I removed the 1 1/2 pound stock weight, but still find the chrome lined barrel makes it heavier than it needs to be. After having the lock improved by Brad Emig ignition was instant. All three guns feature similar construction details important to a shotgun shooter. They all feature hooked breeches and keyed construction for ease of takedown and cleaning. Each has performed best with 3 drams of 2FG powder behind 4 pieced overshot cards, 1 1/8 -1 1/4 ounces of shot topped off by 1-2 pierced overshot cards. These standard loads are very comfortable to shoot. For trap shooting the weight of the Pedersoli shouldn't be objectionable. You can pick up a used Pedersoli Mortimer for $1,000.00 or less. The chrome bore will prevent you from being able to jug choke it, but it should still perform well at 20-25 yards. Like most production guns, the flintlock will benefit from a good tuning, and pan to barrel fit may require some patience and care to adjust. It's a lot of "bang" for the buck. Be prepared to spend $3-4,000.00 and 2 years waiting for a nice custom half stock flint fowler, or invest $4-6,000.00 on a nice old original. I use the Pedersoli as a low cost "training" gun for those interested in, but inexperienced with flintlock fowlers.
That is also a gun we don't discuss on the Muzzleloading Forum.For the past 10 years or more I have been using a Vic Beeson in line 12 ga. for 10-16-20 yard trap at Friendship, Ind., in the matches. It is an in-line action with a Remington barrel with a fixed modified choke. It handles the square trap load of 2 3/4 drams and an ounce and one eighth of shot. Vic Beeson died a few years ago, but there are others making similar trap guns. I think contacting the NMLRA, as mentioned above in a comment, would be a good place to start. Will Elliot has been in charge of the Friendship trap range and may be able to provide further information.
Hey Feltwad....can you clarify something for me. Maybe I have it wrong but do you mean using a flintlock is not traditional for shooting trap? I only ask because I see two classes...Manton and Lorenzoni trap shooting...one is percussion and the other is flintlock. I am just trying to get the right firearms for traditional gun trap shooting.No offence your image of the three flintlocks look well but are not traditional to shoot trap these are the style of sporting flintlock sporting guns .Has I have said flintlocks were not used has live pigeon shooting the for runner to trap which began in the percussion period .Some of the replies to this thread are not too the rules of the Muzzle Loaders Forum so come on members lets keep it traditional
Feltwad
All muzzle loaders were loaded at the table by the shooter himself under the eye of a official so no cheating two bowls were on the table one with shot and one with powder .Each gun no matter of the bore size they all use the same load .from each bowl.so I take it , they were loaded at / from a bench? was this done by a servant or the shooter?
I am not sure for the flintlock but I am sure it was added at later date for international shooting matches. and was not part of the original live pigeon shooting matches .Hey Feltwad....can you clarify something for me. Maybe I have it wrong but do you mean using a flintlock is not traditional for shooting trap? I only ask because I see two classes...Manton and Lorenzoni trap shooting...one is percussion and the other is flintlock. I am just trying to get the right firearms for traditional gun trap shooting.
Make the trip to Friendship In or contact Mike Longstreth if you want a nicely built flint shotgun & it won't cost you the earth. He is building several at the moment. Look him up thru the Muzzle Blast magazineI only shoot a hundred clays a year now, but enjoy using the guns pictured below.
View attachment 41812
The original Nock 13 gauge pictured on top is very light, with instant ignition and an unchoked Damascus barrel.
The Mike Brooks fowler has a 12 gauge Getz barrel jug choked modified.
The production Pedersoli Mortimer on the bottom is heavy. I removed the 1 1/2 pound stock weight, but still find the chrome lined barrel makes it heavier than it needs to be. After having the lock improved by Brad Emig ignition was instant. All three guns feature similar construction details important to a shotgun shooter. They all feature hooked breeches and keyed construction for ease of takedown and cleaning. Each has performed best with 3 drams of 2FG powder behind 4 pieced overshot cards, 1 1/8 -1 1/4 ounces of shot topped off by 1-2 pierced overshot cards. These standard loads are very comfortable to shoot. For trap shooting the weight of the Pedersoli shouldn't be objectionable. You can pick up a used Pedersoli Mortimer for $1,000.00 or less. The chrome bore will prevent you from being able to jug choke it, but it should still perform well at 20-25 yards. Like most production guns, the flintlock will benefit from a good tuning, and pan to barrel fit may require some patience and care to adjust. It's a lot of "bang" for the buck. Be prepared to spend $3-4,000.00 and 2 years waiting for a nice custom half stock flint fowler, or invest $4-6,000.00 on a nice old original. I use the Pedersoli as a low cost "training" gun for those interested in, but inexperienced with flintlock fowlers.
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