Anyone here Use a .62 Smoothbore?

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Gobblerizer

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What Loads are good for Turkeys or Other Small Game(With Shot?)

I Just Bought one of the Green Mtn. 1" Barrels. I want to try it in the fall and
want to know Load recipes & what works best

Thank You all Kindly!

Mario
 
.62 is standard 20 gauge. I use the standard 2 1/2 dram load: a tad less than 70 grains (68?) of FFg, two .125 card wads and the same measure full of shot, about 7/8 Oz. I also use the same amount of powder,more or less, and a .600 round ball in pillow ticking patch. I don't use wads with the roundball load because they aren't needed.
 
Are you sure it was a Green Mountain barrel in .62? Your title on the thread implies that is the caliber of your barrel though you don't mention the caliber in your text. I ask as Green Mountain doesn't offer such a product on their website. They offer a .45 smooth barrel with a 1" outside dimension, so is yours that product.., or is yours possibly a different make?

To answer your question, if it is a .54 caliber (28 gauge) or larger, a good load is the one that shoots well from your barrel. I'm not being a wise-guy, it's simply that with BP smooth bore guns, especially those that are not choked, or don't have a modern, screw-in choke capability, you really have to go out and try different loads to see what will work. Two barrels from the same maker, made one right after the other, may not use similar loads..., it's just part of the game. :D

Even when choked, you will find a "pet" load, for your barrel. I have a Pedersoli 20 gauge SxS, with choked barrels, and it loves 70 grains of 2Fg, and a ¾ ounce load of #7½ shot using paper wads. It doesn't like an equal load of #6 or #5 shot for some reason, and throws odd patterns. My 20 gauge trade gun (no choke) likes 70 grains of 3Fg, and an ounce of #7½, or #6, and when shooting shot likes two 1/8" fiber wads between the powder and the shot, and an "over shot card" on top.

The above mentioned load in the other response is fine..., some folks when going for turkey use #6 or larger shot up to #4, and use 80 grains (just about 3 drams) and from 1½ oz. to 1¾ oz. of shot.., and some as much as 2 oz. of shot! I'd say not to exceed 1½ oz. of shot...., and you will be going for head shots at under 30 yards.

Bottom line the "best" is the one you have tested on a target consisting of a turkey head drawn on paper at the range you intend to shoot.

LD
 
It's customary to start with a square load or an equal amount of powder and shot. Then adjust up or down as the performance needs dictate. You want to make sure that the load has enough lethal power for the game at the fringe range that you intend to hunt at.
One common method is to use an empty food can to test for penetration through and through.
Another is to use a patterning board to test the pattern at various distances. One homemade turkey pattern target that's easy to make is to draw the outline of a claw hammer onto a piece of paper which resembles the size of the head and neck of a turkey.
Personally I would adjust the shot charge upward from a square load that starts close to around 90 grains. Then adjust accordingly after testing.

POWDER MEASURE SETTINGS TO
MEASURE OUT OUNCES OF BIRD SHOT
50 grain setting = 3/4 ounce of shot
60 grain setting = 7/8 ounce of shot
70 grain setting = 1 once of shot
80 grain setting = 1 1/8 ounce of shot
90 grain setting = 1 1/4 ounce of shot
100 grain setting = 1 3/8 ounce of shot
110 grain setting = 1 1/2 ounce of shot
120 grain setting = 1 5/8 ounce of shot


1 oz. of lead shot weighs 437.5 grains.
1 1/8 oz. of lead shot weighs 492.1875 grains.
1.25 oz. of lead shot weighs 546.875 grains
 
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In Response to Loyalist Dave

Yes,it is a Green Mtn. .62 Smoothbore...Forgive me for not mentioning that!

I just bought it on an ebay auction,from a man in WA state for $275

Basically,I'd like to use it on Wild Turkey ( maybe Rabbits,Squirrels),this fall
once I get it together & Pattern it!

I'm searching for loads! Actually ,I just got a T/C/ Renegade Stock \w/ lock
with a 1" barrel channel on ebay for $93.89(Shipped!) I'll just need a Wedge & Ramrod! Then I start Shootin'

Any Advice or Loads You could share are appreciated!

Thanks in Advance,

Mario
 
I have a 20 balls to the pound fusil de chasse I stocked years ago, the barrel is a 46" swamped Getz.

As to loads, it throws a good dense pattern with most all #shot when I follow the English little powder, much shot rule.

P1010034.jpg
 
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