Muzzle Loading Shotguns

Idaho Dave · 07-27-2007, 10:07 AM

lately I have been getting into black powder and muzzle loaders (in the past year I have aquired a cap and ball revolver, a 50 cal pistol built from a kit and a 50 cal rifle built from a kit. I was wondering if any of you have muzzle loading shotguns? If so, what would be a good one to start with? also, would it cause any real damage to my .50 cal rifle to shoot a load of shot through it? I am thinking it would be okay to shoot lead this way but what aobut bismoth or another lead substitute? any advise would be appriciated

jerry · 07-27-2007, 10:54 AM

Iv'e looked at a frunt stuffer scatter gun. Haven't got to the point of justification yet as I have a hard time shooting the guns I have.

I'm going to sound like a prude mabe, but .50 cal rifles are designed to shoot projectiles, not shot charges.

Lead substitues is a whole different ball game as you probably allready know. Bismuth is not harmfull to steel barrels that were origianlly designed for lead.

Steel = potentially bad for any bore not designed for it. Tungsten Iron, same thing on being bad for some steels.

The other draw back to using a .50 rifle for shot is components. You would probably have to make your own components, wads/cards etc. Plus the recipies would be thrown off I think.

Dixie gun works has a nice Q&A board.
Dixie Gun Works muzzleloading, blackpowder and rare antique gun supplies.

The proper sequence for loading a muzzleloading shotgun is as follows:

black powder
over-powder (heavy card) wad
fiber cushion wad
optional shot (thin card) wad
shot
over-shot wad

Recommended loads are as follows: 20 gauge -- 65 grains of FFG black powder and 1 ounce of shot, 12 gauge -- 75 grains of FFG black powder and 1 1/8 ounces of shot, and 10 gauge -- 85 grains of FFG black powder and 1 1/4 ounces of shot. Dixie stocks all of the wads needed in assorted gauges. Muzzleloading shotguns can be loaded with patched round balls as well as shot. We recommend using a .600 round ball for the 20 gauge, a .715 round ball for the 12 gauge and a .760 round ball for the 10 gauge.

samuel · 07-27-2007, 11:00 AM

You cant shoot shot in a rifled barrel sucessfuly even .12ga,s because when it exits it is spinning and gets thrown far and wide. sam.

burd1959 · 07-27-2007, 11:31 AM

dang a day late i had a double barrel 12 gauge in the safe for a long time offed it this spring no one was interested in it 200.00 never shot

rebel727 · 08-01-2007, 08:49 PM

I shoot a SXS Ancion made around 1840-1850.

jerry · 08-02-2007, 06:25 AM

very nice iron there brother L

rebel727 · 08-02-2007, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jerry

very nice iron there brother L

Thanks Jer.

07-27-2007, 10:07 AM	#1
Idaho Dave Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Idaho Posts: 485 Trader Rating: (0)	Muzzle Loading Shotguns lately I have been getting into black powder and muzzle loaders (in the past year I have aquired a cap and ball revolver, a 50 cal pistol built from a kit and a 50 cal rifle built from a kit. I was wondering if any of you have muzzle loading shotguns? If so, what would be a good one to start with? also, would it cause any real damage to my .50 cal rifle to shoot a load of shot through it? I am thinking it would be okay to shoot lead this way but what aobut bismoth or another lead substitute? any advise would be appriciated

08-01-2007, 08:49 PM	#5
rebel727 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Heidelberg, Mississippi Posts: 1,492 Trader Rating: (0)	I shoot a SXS Ancion made around 1840-1850. __________________ North-1 South-0 HALFTIME!

07-27-2007, 10:54 AM	#2
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,757 Trader Rating: (0)	Iv'e looked at a frunt stuffer scatter gun. Haven't got to the point of justification yet as I have a hard time shooting the guns I have. I'm going to sound like a prude mabe, but .50 cal rifles are designed to shoot projectiles, not shot charges. Lead substitues is a whole different ball game as you probably allready know. Bismuth is not harmfull to steel barrels that were origianlly designed for lead. Steel = potentially bad for any bore not designed for it. Tungsten Iron, same thing on being bad for some steels. The other draw back to using a .50 rifle for shot is components. You would probably have to make your own components, wads/cards etc. Plus the recipies would be thrown off I think. Dixie gun works has a nice Q&A board. Dixie Gun Works muzzleloading, blackpowder and rare antique gun supplies. The proper sequence for loading a muzzleloading shotgun is as follows: black powder over-powder (heavy card) wad fiber cushion wad optional shot (thin card) wad shot over-shot wad Recommended loads are as follows: 20 gauge -- 65 grains of FFG black powder and 1 ounce of shot, 12 gauge -- 75 grains of FFG black powder and 1 1/8 ounces of shot, and 10 gauge -- 85 grains of FFG black powder and 1 1/4 ounces of shot. Dixie stocks all of the wads needed in assorted gauges. Muzzleloading shotguns can be loaded with patched round balls as well as shot. We recommend using a .600 round ball for the 20 gauge, a .715 round ball for the 12 gauge and a .760 round ball for the 10 gauge.

07-27-2007, 11:00 AM	#3
samuel Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,050 Trader Rating: (0)	You cant shoot shot in a rifled barrel sucessfuly even .12ga,s because when it exits it is spinning and gets thrown far and wide. sam.

07-27-2007, 11:31 AM	#4
burd1959 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: burton michigan Posts: 606 Trader Rating: (0)	dang a day late i had a double barrel 12 gauge in the safe for a long time offed it this spring no one was interested in it 200.00 never shot

08-02-2007, 06:25 AM	#6
jerry Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 10,757 Trader Rating: (0)	very nice iron there brother L