Howdy Folks,
I have one of these that I just love. I haven't used a ball in it yet, just shot. Put in 12 grains of 777 ff, a wad, 100 grains of #9 shot, and a real thin cardboard wad (just enough to keep the shot from falling out), cap it, put a shot 22 short casing over the cap and let the hammer down on that. There is no half cock on the pistol and a fellow shooter on a forum suggested the 22 casing and it works wonderfully.
Now the way I use it. Last winter when the snow was on I would throw about a cup of cracked corn about 10-15 feet out the dining room door and set back and wait. It wouldn't be 15 minutes until a flock of blackbirds would land on it. I would ease the door open just a little and BOOM. I would get 5-10 each time. Most of them I had to finish off with the 22, but it keeps them off my bird feeders. We haven't had any snow yet this year but I am ready and waiting. This is the only time that I hate "Global Warming".