Measuring Shot

[Dan Fruth]

  I'm new to muzzleloading shotguns, and need some help. I recently picked up a nice English flintlock double, bore size .600, which is close enough to 20ga., and I'm wanting to work up a load, and ultimately a charger for the load. Any suggestions as to powder/shot. I want to use #6 shot...The gun was made by John Harcourt, roughly 1790-1810, the barrels are in great shape. The previous owner shot this piece. Any suggestions would be appreciated.....Thanks...Dan

 I'll try to get some pictures up soon

[Mike Brooks]

I had and shot an antique double 18 bore for many years. 7/8 oz for hunting and 5/8oz for skeet. both with equal amounts (volume) of powder. The 5/8 oz load would turn skeet into dust. I probably could have hunted with that load too. I think your loads will be somewhere close to what I was using. Yours would be considered a 22 bore I believe. I'd get the appropriate cards and wads for the bore size.

[Dan Fruth]

 Any suggestions on finding the right size wads and cards for a .600 bore gun? I can make a cutter if need be, but hope to find the right size...

[Daryl]

Measuring .600 at the bore might indicate some slight choking?  Nominally, 20 bore is .615"- of course there is oft times a bit of 'looseness' in barrel measurements.
Tack has wads.
I shoot a 75gr. powder measure full of shot (1 1/8oz) and a 70gr. measure with 2F powder (2 5/8drams) in my 20bore.
This useful chart shows shot quantities using stricken powder measures.  Both shot quantities in ounces and drams equivalence in powder charges are noted.  If you look on a box of modern shot shells, the drams equivalent loads are usually shown.
Using the same measure of powder and shot is a common method of loading.

:50gr. = 3/4 oz
:55gr. =-----------2.00 drams
:60gr. = 7/8 oz
:62gr. = ----------2 1/4 drams
:68gr. = ----------2 1/2 drams
:70gr. - 1.0 oz
:75gr. =-----------2 3/4 drams
:80gr. = 1 1/8 oz
:82gr. =-----------3.00 drams
:89gr. =-----------3.25 drams
:90gr. = 1 1/4 oz
:96gr. =-----------3 1/2 drams
:100gr.= 1.375 oz
:102gr.=----------3 3/4 drams
:109gr.=----------4.00  drams
:110gr.= 1.50 oz
:120gr.= 1.625 oz

[bob in the woods]

That is pretty much the same load I shoot in my 20 bore.   I know that it is commonly said to load equal volume powder/shot, but all of my guns seem to shoot better patterns with a bit more shot than powder.
I use the " 80 mark " on my measure for the shot and the 70 for powder in my 20.

[Dan Fruth]

I ran accross an article by a fella named V.M. Starr and it was definately worth the read. He uses wads cut from 85point pressed cardboard. They call it chipboard, though it is not wood chips but pressed recycled paper. Comes about 3/32 thick. Well I can't wait to fire her up...I've been looking for a nice English double for years now, and this one was in my price range, and in great condition...Thanks all for the help...Dan

[Daryl]

trackofthewolf.com has those wads already cut - 500 to a bag I think - very economical.

[D. Taylor Sapergia]

Jellowaydan:  so where's the pictures of this fine piece?