What caliber ball are youo using?

[Night watchman 326]

I just picked up a Pedersoli Indian Trade Gun 20 gauge. I prefer shooting paper cartridges. What caliber of ball have you had success with using paper cartridges in your 20 gauge? Thanks.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

For accurate shooting I like .590 with a paper cartridge. I had to look hard to find a Rapine mold in that size

For speed shooting in a competition, I use .530 in a paper cartridge, as I can't wipe between shots.

LD

 

[Grenadier1758]

The 20 gauge cylinder bore barrel should have a diameter of 0.615". I have had success with a ball of 0.595" and a damp 0.018" cotton drill cloth patch lubricated with water soluble oil and water. One part water soluble oil and seven parts of water. Not much patch compression is needed or really wanted when shooting ball from a smooth bored gun. All that is needed is enough contact with the barrel to hold the ball and patch on the powder charge. @Loyalist Dave's paper cartridge is large enough with the excess paper acting as a wad between the powder and the ball to hold the ball in place and keep the ball centered in the bore upon firing. And for his speed shooting competition, the fouling from the previous shots fill the bore and help to hold the cartridge with the ball in place.

I shoot a 0.715" ball wrapped in a paper cartridge for woods walk competitions in my 0.770" bore diameter King's Musket. The excess paper is an effective wad. I do spit on the paper wrapped ball to keep the fouling soft when shooting several rounds in succession. That's why I know that the much smaller ball does work.

As a starting point for target shooting or the first hunting shot, use a ball that is 0.020" less in diameter than the measured cylinder bore diameter nestled in something such as a damp oiled patch, a wad of tow fibers, or a paper cartridge. They will all be effective as @Night watchman 326 gets familiar with the performance of the selected load and gets familiar with the consistent placement of his cheek on the stock.

 

[tenngun]

I shoot a .600 in my 62 for my best shooting, but making paper cartridge to be used for fast shooting I shoot a .575. And it has deer killing accuracy at fifty yards, but I’ve never hunted with it
My .76 I shoot a .69 in paper or in a patched ball and shoots well

 

[bud in pa]

I also use a .575 ball in my paper cartridge. Deer hunting accuracy to 50 yds.

 

[hanshi]

I have yet to try out paper cartridges but, yes, it's on the menu. I generally load/shoot a .600" ball and have killed deer with that ball and thin patch. I also have a Tanner .590" mold and loads with that size ball have been show good potential. Both the .600" prb and bare ball load are deer accurate a bit beyond 50 yards.

I retired from hunting some 7 years ago and any loads I work up are strictly for fun shooting and curiosity satisfaction.