HB
Member
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2007
- Messages
- 2,393
I have a an old .54 cal/28 gauge Dixie smoothbore that is more of a shotgun than a musket (half length stock, so sights etc). I have fired roundball with pretty good accuracy over a 60 grain charge. Here is a link to a similar gun.
http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7762053
However, I am lost when it comes to shotgun loads for it. I have tried 50 grains of powder under a small volume of shot using newspaper as wadding but obviously this leads to severe leading and fouling despite printing nice patterns. Traditionally these guns take an equal volume of shot and powder but I don't want to blow the old smokepole to pieces. What is an appropriate shot charge and powder charge? It seems it will be about as effective as a 28 gauge with light loads, perfect for small game.
Also, does anybody have any recommendations for homemade wads and over the shot cards? I'd like to use this gun as a backpacking rifle as it has the accuracy to kill a deer or hog at 25-40 yards with prb but also pot a few squirrels within reasonable distances. Of course I'd prefer not to buy anything to feed this gun aside from caps so all homemade recipes are appreciated.
Thanks,
HB
http://www.gunauction.com/search/displayitem.cfm?itemnum=7762053
However, I am lost when it comes to shotgun loads for it. I have tried 50 grains of powder under a small volume of shot using newspaper as wadding but obviously this leads to severe leading and fouling despite printing nice patterns. Traditionally these guns take an equal volume of shot and powder but I don't want to blow the old smokepole to pieces. What is an appropriate shot charge and powder charge? It seems it will be about as effective as a 28 gauge with light loads, perfect for small game.
Also, does anybody have any recommendations for homemade wads and over the shot cards? I'd like to use this gun as a backpacking rifle as it has the accuracy to kill a deer or hog at 25-40 yards with prb but also pot a few squirrels within reasonable distances. Of course I'd prefer not to buy anything to feed this gun aside from caps so all homemade recipes are appreciated.
Thanks,
HB