Muzzleloading shotgun?

[ElPollo]

Any m/l shotgun folks here? Started messing around with a Navy Arms 12 ga SxS. Barrels are cyl x cyl like most original guns. Hoping to take a few quail and maybe a turkey in the spring. Shot a few different loads out of it this weekend to try to get some decent patterns. Best patterns were from about 65 grains of Goex 2F with an 1/8” oiled wad, 90 grains of #7 shot by volume, and another 1/8” oiled was on top. Pretty decent patterns to 25 yds. Pretty big gaps at 30 yds. Would love to hear what’s been working for others.

 

[Billy Goat]

@Wrench

 

[ElDiablito]

Ahh yes, the famous “Skychief load”….

Yeah, I’ve got a couple White Tominator shotguns. I primarily use them for turkey but also hunt small game and predators from time to time. Usually with a variation of:

5 gr black powder igniter
85 gr 2F 777
lubed wool wad
TUPRW12 wad
2 oz #9 TSS shot (with a 1/4” 20 ga felt wad in the bottom of the wad to take up space)
1/4” wool felt over shot wad or card wad

Shoots fantastic to 70-80 yards.

 

[Wrench]

My load is as follows and in loading order.

80grs 2f swiss
Heavy shot card
A "tuft" of sheep wool (about the size of 2 cotton balls....which would probably work too with a bit of lanolin)
80grs by volume #7.5 shot
Paper shot card
and finally a heavily lubed with olive oil fiber wad.

I don't use a cushion wad below the shot....just above. The theory is that the lubed wad above will squeeze out some lube on the way down the barrel. The wool is fresh, filthy and oily. This load shoots great and was broke in on wild December roosters and quail.

 

[Walker6]

For dove (Got this from an old timer named Spence):

In a flintlock .62 cal smoothbore (20ga):

60 grains FFF
Over powder wad (.125 hard card)
.5 lubricated cushion wad
70 grains of #7.5 shot
.0625 over shot card

FFF in the pan

I never did pattern it, but it goes boom and knocks down birds.

If high birds, then go 70 grains FFF and
90 grains of shot.

For deer, substitute in a .60 round ball for the shot in the top recipe. That deer load shoots great, but I never got around to pokin a hole in anything with it. Maybe this year!

 

[ElPollo]

Appreciate the responses.

@ElDiablito
That is a snorty load for a 20 ga with 2 oz of the tungsten. Might have to try that stuff for gobblers next spring, but it’s too expensive for scaled quail and bobs. Found some for about $100 for 2#. Hate the idea of putting plastic wads in this thing, but it may be worth it to get a few more yards. 70-80 would be about double the distance of any shot I’ve ever taken on a turkey.

@Wrench
I tried the 1/2” oiled wad on top of my shot and it did not seem to make a big difference in my patterns. But I didn’t add the wool buffer under it. For quail, I’m probably going to stay with a fairly simple square load or try rolling some paper cartridges. I think I can get enough range for early season scaled quail starting in mid November. But the late season birds in January and early February tend to run and flush further out.

@Walker6
I’ll bet it requires a heck of a lead to wack those fast doves with a flint lock. How many have you killed this year? I’ve never been much for eating doves, so it might be a good strategy for me.

 

[Walker6]

ElPollo it’s been 7 or 8 years since I’ve even shot it, so no dove this year. It will definitely cut down on the number you eat, though. I love eating them though, so I use modern equipment lately. Bacon wrapped with jalapeño on the grill, red wine mushroom rice casserole, etc. Even fried ain’t bad. Just keep that barrel moving a d try not to flinch!

 

[ElDiablito]

@ElDiablito
That is a snorty load for a 20 ga with 2 oz of the tungsten. Might have to try that stuff for gobblers next spring, but it’s too expensive for scaled quail and bobs. Found some for about $100 for 2#. Hate the idea of putting plastic wads in this thing, but it may be worth it to get a few more yards. 70-80 would be about double the distance of any shot I’ve ever taken on a turkey.

Yeah, the beauty of TSS is that you don’t need much. I load duplex (steel/TSS) shells for waterfowl. Even an 1/8 oz of TSS absolutely stones ducks. Most hit the water dead.

It is expensive for sure - $40-$50/lb is what you’ll pay. Although they say prices will very soon be going up.

I hunt western turkeys, so I want the ability to reach out if they decide to walk by.

I think duplexing it with lead is a great idea for small game. But, you have to use a heavy plastic wad rated for steel or it would damage your barrel.