Blackpowder shotshells...

[Andy Griffith]

I seem to be having a bit of trouble keeping a pattern together in my 10 gauge guns... I've never had this trouble in 12 gauges!


I'm using a hard card wad directly over the powder- 90 grains of FFg Goex in a RMC case. Over that wad, I put one fiber wad and then 1 5/8 oz of #4's or #5's, topped off with an overshot card glued in place.

I've been shooting this in an old, high-quality Belgian hammered double, and just to try it out, a friend's H&R 10 gauge single shot- to little effect.

Any suggestions?

[canoe on the yukon]

Hi Andy,

We talked shotgun loads a short time back on buckshot loads.

I'm passionate about the 10 gauge magnum (3 1/2") and have a history of muzzle loading for ML shotguns so I might be able to help.However I don't and never have used black powder in breech loading shotguns so my help will be limited.

I'm assuming that you're using the old 2 7/8 inch cases.Is that correct?

[Andy Griffith]

Actually, they are brand new 2 7/8" solid brass cases.

What is baffling me, is this is the same combination and composition of wads I use in 12 gauge. I'm going to try upping/lowering the charge a bit and see what happens.

[canoe on the yukon]

Andy,

I've looked up some old data which shows 109 grains of FFG with 1 1/2 oz of shot.Not sure if that will help.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Dale53]

Brass cases have considerably thinner walls than paper cases. These (brass) require
larger diameter wads. Are you using the correct wads? If not, that might explain why you are having problems.

FWIW
Dale53

[Andy Griffith]

I have some of the thin wall Magtech cases in 12, 16, 20 and .410.

The 10 gauge cases that I have are extremely thick- made my Rocky Mountain Cartridge and have the same I.D. as a plastic hull. These cases must weigh three times more and are much, much thicker than their 12 gauge brothers from Magtech and the 10 gauge wads are a good snug fit.

The only thing I went up on size (to 9 gauge) with is the overshot wads, which I wanted a bit larger in case the mouth opens up just a bit, as it does usually on the other cases.

I'm going to try lightening the shot by a bit and going to 110 grains of powder. I bet it will thump then.