What powder charge do you hunt with?

It takes a bit of work to come up with the right powder charge/shot combo. I learned that a lot of powder simply blows a big hole in the middle of your pattern. In my 20 gauge I use about 68gr of 3F powder with an equal size load of shot. At 25 yards I get complete through and through penetration on a soda can, which is how I determine whether it will kill a squirrel, which have as you may well know, EXTREMELY tough hides. I figure that 8-10 holes through a can gives me the confidence to take bushy tails at 20-25 yards.

However, I have found that when I use target shot, like 7's or 8's, I can go with a slightly higher volume of shot and powder--about 75 each. Why, I am not sure, but with bigger shot, I have to reduce the powder.

Now if I could just keep them from jumping the flash! :curse: :curse: :curse:

 

[Keith]

"However, I have found that when I use target shot, like 7's or 8's, I can go with a slightly higher volume of shot and powder--about 75 each. Why, I am not sure, but with bigger shot, I have to reduce the powder."
I wonder if the target shot is harder. :hmm: Harder shot deforms less so it patterns better, all things being equal. This might allow you to use a little heavier charge and get the same performance.

 

I use 3F in my .62, so I can use a bit less than 2F. I use 65 grains of 3F which will completely blow through a 4X4 post at 25 yards, which is my benchmark for hunting. If a .600 ball will completely tear through a 4X4, it will cause sufficient damage to a deer to bring it quickly and humanely down. Last year I used a 12 gauge with 90grains of 2F and took a 7 point at about 20 yards...ball went straight through the lungs, out the other side, and lodged in a tree another 15 yards away. I try not to fool around with loads for this and that..stick to one that works. :results: :imo:

 

1st moose my bro ever shot was with a Lyman Bess, 100gr. 2F and a .735RB patched in .015 denim. The moose was approximately 100yds. away, and the ball holed it through both lungs, was under the hide on the off side and expanded to 1 1/8" in dia. the mose staggered at the shot, walked 4 steps into the road ditch and dropped dead.
: This particular Bess chrono'd 1,200fps with 100gr. 2F and 1,080fps with 82gr. 2F.

 

1st moose my bro ever shot was with a Lyman Bess,

Lyman made/makes a Bess :: and if so, (this is the interesting part) Taylor was useing an off the rack gun :: :: :: :hmm: :nono: :nono:

 

[madstone]

Sounds like a good way to field test a squirrel load. Cans, I mean. With the old steel cans we only required one side, though. Maybe the harder 7 & 8 target shot deforms less and there is more weight in any given volume of smaller shot?

Most BP shotgunners use way too much powder! And way too little cushion under their shot. With 6's, I found 75 grains of FFF gave best patterns in my 12 guages. About 55-60 was limit for 20's, if I remember. :results:

My best squirel loads were with thick newspaper wadding over the powder. The new shot-cup wads for ctg's don't open up and seal the powder with BP's meager pressure?
Try tying up your shot in the corners of common sandwich baggies. Cut off the excess and load with tie down against newspaper. (Bad madstone!!) Just enough powder to shatter the thin package will make nice patterns. Too little will launch a shot-bag genade that will only make a little hole! I used to put all 225 6's through one small hole and make a modern ctg turkeyshoot riot!