.69 smoothbores

[bob in the woods]

Anyone have experience with . 69 smoothbores ?  I have used 20 bores and 10 bores extensively, but have an opportunity to pick up a .69
I would have to pick up a new mold of course. I have a section of punches so wads wouldn't be a problem

[Pukka Bundook]

Bob,
Have shot a lot of 14 and 15 bores, but can't think what those bores are exactly in inches.
All I can say is it sounds close to a 14, and this was always a great favourite in the flint and percussion shotgun days, for normal field use. (bigger bores for wildfowl quite often.

My old single 14 was always deadly, even on ducks within 40 yards with the right load.
It should work just fine as long as you don't blow the pattern with over much powder.

[Daryl]

Commercial 14 bore wads are easily available. Bought mine from Track as I was using them in a special Cape-gun type SxS Husky I bought some time ago.
13 bore is nominally .710" = 538.5gr. ball
14 bore is nominally .693" = 500.0gr. ball
15 bore is nominally .677" = 466.7gr. ball
16 bore is nominally .662" = 437.5gr. ball

[bob in the woods]

Thank you for the information. I was originally looking at a 16, but a 14 sounds like it will be fantastic. A nice step up from the 20 without the punishment of the 10 
After doing some research , I'm a little surprised that the 14 bore didn't become more popular here. 

[varsity07840]

If you're looking for recipes that don't include patched balls, go to the bulletin board on the N-SSA website. www.n-ssa.net.

[Pukka Bundook]

Thank you Daryl, for adding the chart!!

Saved me looking it upo.

Bob,
With shot, have a go when you get it running, with 2  1/4 drams of 2F, whatever wadding you like,  card , felt or whatever, and 1 1/4 ounces of shot.
Mine didn't kick with that load and was quite devastating!

[Daryl]

Taylor's Manton is a 15 bore, (little tight at .673" I think). I don't exactly remember the loads we worked up for it, but I think something in the 1 1/8oz. range and
65gr. 2F.(2 3/8drams)

[drewsbow]

I run a .682 for bare ball load behind 90 gr of 2f
I run a .642 for patched (20 thou) ball load behind 85 gr of 2f
Both of these get good results
I load 1 1/2 oz of #4 behind 90 gr of 2f for turkey

[smylee grouch]

From here that Manton looks like a comfortable gun to shoot . I might be wrong but it looks like the but has a proper pitch to keep your face un.    bruesed.

[Daryl]

It is a VERY nice gun to shoot, SmyleeG.

[rich pierce]

I use a .662 ball over 80 grains of FFG. Or a square load of 1 and 3/8 ounces of #5 shot for turkeys. So far, so good!