Turkey Loads in 10 ga.

[Bob J]

Anybody have the Pedersoli 10 ga with adjustable chokes? Was wondering if the "OS cards only" method (or Wonder Wads) would go down past the modified and full chokes. Any loads or loading suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[paulvallandigham]

The OS card is the ONLY wad that you can get past the Modified and Full choke constrictions, unless you use those soft felt wads.

If you check the Track of the Wolf site, the catalog will tell you that the wads are made to be .010" larger in diameter than the nominal bore diameter for that gauge.

The bore diameter for the 10 gauge is Nominally .775, so the cards are cut to be .785" diameter. They are thin- about 1/8" or less, so they can be bent to fit down through the choke and then turned. They open up to seal your bore when they are driven down the bore with a loading jag on your Ramrod. The loading jag should have a flat nose, and be close to the narrowest diameter that your choke constriction requires. In your case, you full choke barrel will control what the diameter of the loading jag should be for the gun.

The whole point of using wads is to seal gas for uniform velocities, and to avoid blow by, which can destroy patterns. By using a NEAR-Diameter loading jag, you support that important edge as you run it down onto the powder, and the other cards that run down onto the shot charge.

 

[Bob J]

Paul, do you think that four OS cards over powder and 2 OS over shot will be sufficient for optimum patterns? I have read your previous posts suggesting this type of load. Or would wonder wads work as well? Or even both?

I believe you mentioned lightly lubing the barrel after loading; I wonder if a light coat of Ballistol would work?

 

[paulvallandigham]

I have not tried wonder wads in a shotgun, or fowler. I have used them in both a revolver, and a rifle.

I believe that Roundball recommends that if you use the felt wads, that you go to the next size larger to insure a good seal. I don't know if 9 or 8 gauge wads are available, in the wool felt wads. ( Circle fly makes such in the OS cards. ) You would have to use those oversized felt wads to insure consistent sealing and chamber pressure with the felt wads. Again, measuring the bore and chokes is very important to being able to choose the right diameter components to load the gun for efficient shooting.

Of course, you can buy your own punch, and cut the felt wads to whatever diameter you desire, out of weather stripping, or old felt hats bought at Goodwill stores, etc. But, first, you have to decide on the correct diameter of the wad for your gun. Since Circle Fly sells wads for every gauge imaginable, I think you should start there. Once a load is found, then you can think about felt wads, punches, etc. NO?

Don't think that you are going to make that 10 gauge into a slamming 60 yard gun for ducks and geese. Or even for turkey. If those chokes can give you good pattern out to 40 yards, you are very blessed. Black Powder is just not going to give you the same RANGE of patterns that smokeless powder does.

The blessing is that you also don't suffer the recoil that smokeless powder delivers, even in these large bores. Learn the limits of your gun, and pass on shots outside its working range. The successes you have will be truly "trophies" to talk about and remember the rest of your life. :hatsoff:

Any lube you desire to use will work. Its main purpose it to protect the bores from rusting in the damp weather outdoors. The next reason for lubing is to allow the shot to slide over the greased bore, rather than rubbing off lead, and putting flats on the side of pellets. Flats will make the pellet slow quickly and drop out of the pattern. What is the point of loading shot into a barrel to shoot, if 1/2 of the shot doesn't reach a target beyond 29 yds?

Go ahead and try Ballistol. I am using Young Country 101 lube because I still have some left from the first large bottle I bought years ago. Its part oil and part beeswax, and I like the wax in the barrel to hold the oil in place. The wax seems to melt under the friction of the load going over it, and that helps to keep the fouling soft for easy cleaning.

 

[Flintlock58]

I have a Pedersoli 12 ga dbl with interchangeable chokes. After applying all the good information about OP wads to get a good seal, Ive also applied the information found here on paper shot cups to tighten patterns. You may need to remove the full choke to get a paper cup down the bore. I found that the paper helped my loads along with the choke. It has worked on turkey and waterfowl,with no shots taken beyond about 30 yds. Your 10 ga should prove to be a turkey harvester. Have fun working up a load(s).

 

[Bob J]

Thanks, Paul and Flintlock58 :hatsoff: I'm going to try and develop a turkey load without the paper cups to start with...would never expect a 60 yard pattern! Had a Pedersoli 10 ga. without the screw-in chokes and 25 - 30 yards was max. Will be happy with a good, tight 30 yard pattern with #4s, #5s or #6s. Will be stoked if it produces a decent pattern at 40 yards!!

 

[paulvallandigham]

You should get patterns at 40 yards. How good will depend on the load chosen, particularly with the Full choke barrel. The modified should do well enough with the correct load out too 35 yards. Depend on pellet energy rather than lots of pellets on target to give you a killing load at those distances. That means you stick with the larger shot sizes, like the #5, and #4 shot. Even at lower velocity of BP loads, these heavy shot will carry energy better out to 40 yds.

 

[slowpokebr549]

I have done a lot of shooting with my twelve gauge with felt wonder wads only. While they will not hold a pattern at long range as well as stacked over shot wads with turkey/goose loads they come darn close. My gun actually patterns better with light loads if I use wonder wads only.My barrel is a tight modified and it is awfully convenient to only have to carry one type of wad while squirrel and or quail hunting. It works great for fast shooting situations. All that being said, Paul has a point. You have to find a wad that fits tight. I use 11 gauge for the most part.