10ga Powder/Shot loads

[smallpatch]

I'm just about to finish another of Mr Chamber's 10ga NE Fowler's.

This one is for a close friend, and he wants me to "shoot it in" for him.

(I hate it when that happens!!)

I'd like some "starting load" info from the wise ones out there.

The barrel is jug choked "modified".  Should be a great turkey/goose gun.

Thanks in advance.

[Daryl]

10's are easy. Find the diameter of the bore first and foremost, then order the correct circle-fly wads. most sizes are available at trackofthewolf and other places.
: 27.3gr. = 1 dram

I'd start at 3 1/2 drams with 1 1/8oz to 1 1/4oz. shot for a good starting load.

A full power load for most shooting would run upwards of 4 drams and 1 1/2 oz.

You'll find some guys want to shoot modern-type loads (or heavier in muzzleloading shotguns, but they aren't necessary nor advisable in my opinion.

Properly wadded, you will get excellent results with normal muzzleloading shotgun loads.

All that said, I'll edit to include a chart I forgot about. HA! Close enough.

[smallpatch]

Daryl,

Thanks so much for the info.

This thing is jug choked to a modified choke.

I hope to have it finished this weekend, and shoot it the following.  I already have wads, and shot.  I am waiting for the lead balls.  Should have all of it together for the next weekend.

Will let you all know how it goes.

[Daryl]

Please do - We're very much interested in how it goes.

[northmn]

If you are going to shoot ball in the gun I suggest you start at about 90 grains of 2f depending.  An 11 gauge Bess kicks pretty hefty with a 715 ball and a 10 takes a heavier one.  With big bores I like to shoot them before I finish them as I can take off anything that I might of overlooked that nails me in the cheek.  ML shotguns are pretty much alike in loading, with the 10 using 1/14-1 1/2 oz of shot very efficiently.  The old rule of thumb about using the shot measure for the powder measure does make a good start.  Modern commercial wads are great but you can also use wasps nest, toilet paper or anything of that nature.  I won a shootoff in a trap match using napkins for wads as I forgot to refill my wad container.  Blew a lot of confetti out the end of the barrel and irritated the person I beat that brought along enough supplies.

DP