12 ga loads
- Thread starter willy8457
- Start date
- Status
Loyalist Dave
Member
First off, the 3Fg is a bit fine for that big a bore. Try switching to 2F.
Second, you must remember that you're only going to be able to duplicate a 2 & 3/4 inch, "upland" shell in performance.
You can judge your BP load by comparison to modern shells. True, modern shells have shot cups, and fly from choked barrels (you didn't mention if yours was choked), but modern shells have clues to the past printed right on the box.
The dram equivalent is the key! It's a measure of the modern shell's muzzle velocity compared to a black powder load reaching the same MV. It's a left over measurement from the time when BP shotshells were converted over to smokeless powder.
So..., you need only look at a modern 2 & 3/4 " shell that you know would work for turkey, and convert the dram equivalent back to find a good load. A dram is 27 grains of black powder, so a 2 dram load would be 54 grains, a 2 & 1/2 dram load (very common in 20 gauge loads) is 67 grains, and a 3 dram load (a good load for 12 gauge) is 81 grains (set measure for 80). 3 & 3/4 drams is 100 grains, and is a stout load for a 12.
It's not uncommon to "donut" a pattern in a BP shotgun when the muzzle vel gets too high. Some companies are getting away from listing dram equivalents and instead list velocity. Yet, you can still find some data out there on the net. A "high velocity" 12 gauge load from Estate is 3 & 3/4 dram pushing 1.25 oz of shot, getting 1330 fps. Yet, Estate "magnum turkey" loads show a MV from 1120 fps to 1220, though with a large amount of shot. So the MV between 1100 and 1200 should be good, it's just a question at that point of pellets on target.
Winchester, Remington, Federal, and Estate all make a 2 & 3/4 inch "upland game" shell, with 1.25 oz of #4, and all are rated at the 1220 fps for muzzle velocity. That should harvest a turkey. Estate gives the dram equivalent of 3 & 1/4 dram for that load, which is 88 grains. A load of 85 - 90grains of 2Fg should be plenty, but patterning is the key. If it isn't good, back off to 80 grains.
LD
Second, you must remember that you're only going to be able to duplicate a 2 & 3/4 inch, "upland" shell in performance.
You can judge your BP load by comparison to modern shells. True, modern shells have shot cups, and fly from choked barrels (you didn't mention if yours was choked), but modern shells have clues to the past printed right on the box.
The dram equivalent is the key! It's a measure of the modern shell's muzzle velocity compared to a black powder load reaching the same MV. It's a left over measurement from the time when BP shotshells were converted over to smokeless powder.
So..., you need only look at a modern 2 & 3/4 " shell that you know would work for turkey, and convert the dram equivalent back to find a good load. A dram is 27 grains of black powder, so a 2 dram load would be 54 grains, a 2 & 1/2 dram load (very common in 20 gauge loads) is 67 grains, and a 3 dram load (a good load for 12 gauge) is 81 grains (set measure for 80). 3 & 3/4 drams is 100 grains, and is a stout load for a 12.
It's not uncommon to "donut" a pattern in a BP shotgun when the muzzle vel gets too high. Some companies are getting away from listing dram equivalents and instead list velocity. Yet, you can still find some data out there on the net. A "high velocity" 12 gauge load from Estate is 3 & 3/4 dram pushing 1.25 oz of shot, getting 1330 fps. Yet, Estate "magnum turkey" loads show a MV from 1120 fps to 1220, though with a large amount of shot. So the MV between 1100 and 1200 should be good, it's just a question at that point of pellets on target.
Winchester, Remington, Federal, and Estate all make a 2 & 3/4 inch "upland game" shell, with 1.25 oz of #4, and all are rated at the 1220 fps for muzzle velocity. That should harvest a turkey. Estate gives the dram equivalent of 3 & 1/4 dram for that load, which is 88 grains. A load of 85 - 90grains of 2Fg should be plenty, but patterning is the key. If it isn't good, back off to 80 grains.
LD
oneshooter
Member
To tighten the patterns on a BP shotgun you can use modern cushion wads or just plastic shot cups. If they are used then they are loaded on top of the overpowder wad. For light target loads the one piece wads can be loaded directly over the powder charge. Just put a dab of lube in the space between the base and the shotcup, this will keep the fouling soft and prevent the plastic from sticking. For heavier loads a one piece shotcup only can be used on top of the overpowder wad. These can be bought with no splits and will really tighten patterns!
Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
Oneshooter
Livin in Texas
- Status
