black powder shotgun powder loads

[fishblade2]

I just wanted to check with you other black powder shooters and see what the range of black powder is for 12 gauge and 20 gauge black powder shotguns.

 

[Curator]

Same as modern smokeless loads. When you buy shot shells they often have "Dram-equivilant" marking. That refers to the velocity that particular shell would have when loaded with the number of drams (27.5 grains) of real black powder that would result in the same velocity. Real black powder gives up nothing in velocity or range to smokless powder loaded shot shells. Well, there is the smoke, but if you pick a windy day even that is not a problem.

 

[scrat]

like said range is about the same. however they are fun as heck to shoot. recoil will be less. you wont know it with the low loud boom they give. turns heads quick

 

[Pyro]

Powder volume=shot volume.
For me it was around 70 grains of powder.

 

[Busyhands94]

I usually go 50/50 with the powder and shot when I load for my 16 guage shotgun, I get some pretty good results! BP shotgun shells are a lot of fun to shoot, I love the deep boom and the big fat cloud of smoke! Even with Pyrodex it's still a lot of fun.

Buffalo Arms has some brass shotgun shells, they are great. I highly recommend them if you are interested in loading some up.
http://www.buffaloarms.com/Brass_Brass_shotgun_shells_pr-3832.aspx

~Levi

 

[theCan]

"Square loads" are common with black powder - using the same volume of shot as powder.

 

[J-Bar]

What will you be using them for...hunting? (geese or quail?) Clay birds? Cowboy action competition?

 

[fishblade2]

I will be loading for skeet mostly so I want to have a good spread. I am going to use the same volume of shot vs. powder but it is true that the more powder you add for some shotguns the more the spread can be affected (in the sense that it grows larger)?

Oh and I posted this video link on the other black powder thread I have for shotgun shells but I don't know if all of you guys are looking at that thread as well. this video the guy does something different for loading but I was wondering what you guys though of it. Is it safe? If I used this method and then used the proper wads like in a black powder shotgun do you think I would get efficient spreads?

here is the link for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES59LtA7XE8&feature=related

 

[J-Bar]

Typically reducing powder charge and increasing shot volume will improve patterns. Square loads are a good starting approximation, but there is nothing magic about them. Be sure to try them on paper before using them in a match. It is possible to get blown patterns if you get too much powder in there.

 

[Noz]

I drop my power volume about 15% from my shot volume to prevent blown patterns as J-Bar said.