recommend muzzle loading shotgun?

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labnoti

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I need a quail gun for this fall. I'd like to consider a muzzleloader, but I don't know how to find a good one. I've hunted and shot trap before, and I reload cartridges (inc. shotshell), but I'd be new to muzzleloading and blackpowder. I'd love a flintlock, but I don't want anything too fancy. I don't collect. I use what few things I have earnestly.

The small gun show that comes to town and the antique store next town over mostly have older cartridge guns, doubles and singles. If I look at the big box stores online, I can order Pedersoli percussion guns. It looks like their flintlock won't be available soon and when it is it might only be the fancy one 'til next year. Pedersoli also sells the percussion double-barrel through big box stores.

I found Middlesex Village is importing India-sourced double-barrel flintlocks. Access Heritage advertises something similar. Any good?

It doesn't concern me whether it's original, replica or older replica, but I figure the replicas are more practical for my purpose. Also, I might prefer a single barrel. The doubles seem to push well over 7 pounds. I don't need a new one, but other than the couple local sources I mentioned, I wouldn't know how to find one I could inspect before I bought it. Just take a chance on gunbroker or whatever?
 
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Forget the Middlesex route. I won't go into why because I don't want to start an argument about their barrels. Try to find a used CVA SxS 12 ga. or Navy Arms SxS. I have both and paid $300 for the CVA which I prefer over the Navy Arms.

I haven't shot any quail with it because there aren't any quail nowadays except at a plantation. I have used it for ducks and doves.
If you are hunting plantation birds, just use a stick and whomp them with it.
 
I'm in the west with millions of acres of quail, dove, chukkar, patridge, snowcock, and grouse, but I mostly want quail because I can easily find a few if I go out a couple times a week for just an hour or two. Presently, I've been herding them every time I go on my daily walk, but I know it won't be like this come October.
 
In this shrinking market, the new Pedersoli double barrel shotgun (w/ I.C & Cyl) is all's that left.

However, it holds its resale value well since it's the only one available.
 
Check on line auctions. If you don't mind single barrel flintlocks, look for trade guns. They're normally a 20ga and quite light.
 
Dixie was a good lead. I found they have the Mortimer 12 ga flintlock, a bit portly at 10 lbs., the 20 ga Indian Trade Musket, and the 12 ga Pedersoli Scout. The Scout is probably closest to what I'm looking for, but it's a bit on the light side for a 12 ga at 5.5lbs. I wonder why Pedersoli doesn't mention it on their own website.

I also see TVM has a "Fowler" flintlock.
 
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I'm intrigued with the Chiappa Mare's Leg 12-gauge lever action shotgun. Ah, to be the cowboy version of the Terminator. Just think about that bad boy loaded up with blackpowder shotshells.

prodotti_immagini_immagine_195.jpg
 
labnoti said:
Dixie was a good lead. I found they have the Mortimer 12 ga flintlock, a bit portly at 10 lbs., the 20 ga Indian Trade Musket, and the 12 ga Pedersoli Scout. The Scout is probably closest to what I'm looking for, but it's a bit on the light side for a 12 ga at 5.5lbs. I wonder why Pedersoli doesn't mention it on their own website.

I also see TVM has a "Fowler" flintlock.
Click to expand...
the only thing about the I believe is the scout I think doesn't come with a ramrod as I called them and that's why theres not one shown in the pics! which sucks!!
 
Definitely look at trade guns. I built myself a chiefs grade 20 gauge from parts by Northstar West. I have hunted quail with it and it's a real hoot. Last time I took it out I nailed several Jackrabbits. It is light, points nice and is very dependable. My only complaint is the lock doesn't have a single position sear. When I get a chance I will post a pic of it. I hunted quail in southern Arizona for years and the most enjoyment came from hunting with muzzleloaders.
 
I use a TC tree hawk 12ga cap lock with cammoed syn stock with factory choke tube that I bought used at a local gun show for 125.00, I shot both old school(fiber wads) and new school(plastic wads) and both shoot well. if I can find a TC new Englander .50cal barrel they are a drop in fit.
 

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You do NOT want to shoot plastic wads. BP will melt the plastic wads and then you'll have a awful time trying to clean it. If any plastic is left in the barrel, BP fowling can be left under the plastic - then you'll have problems latter. I know, some of you guys do it and think it's not a problem, but it is. On our rifle sight in day at the club guys will shoot the new sabots and after 4 or 5 shots want to know why they can't get the bullet down the barrel. Because it's full of plastic. I shoot BP shells in SxS events - 100 to 150 a day. Once years ago I made the mistake of using plastic wads. The gun started to kicking harder and upon looking down the barrels it looked like a bunch of worms had grown inside. It was two hours latter before I got the barrels clean. Just buy or make your own fiber wads and shoot BP shotguns the way they were intended to be loaded and shot. Oh, Jackrabbit, what is a single position sear ?
 
I don,t shoot 100-150 rounds a day, on a good hunting day 8-10 shots maybe. and the bore cleans easy with water and then carburetor cleaner, takes about 5 minutes to clean it. I do shoot bk powder with the proper fiber wads, but the plastic wads give very good pattererns loaded bare on top of the powder. but you can put a 1/4" fiber over the powder wad if you want, it may make the barrel cleaning a little faster but I have not found it to be so.
 
Hey Paul Harm, single position sear means the sear returns to the same place at rest, half cock and full cock. It is to me the sign of a better quality lock. The lock on my trade gun is well made but the fellow who built it did not pay attention to the tumbler geometry. This causes the trigger to be firm at half cock and then loose and able to rattle at full cock. BTW I have shot plastic wads thru my double 12 gauge CVA for years and the trade gun with never seeing a build up of any kind. I shoot about 120 grains of 3f behind an oz and eighth of shot in the 12 gauge. I use around 80 in the trade gun. No plastic build up whatsoever.
 
To each their own. All I know is what happened to me with plastic wads. Jack, over the years I've built maybe 10 or 12 long guns and 5 or 6 pistols. I've always used quality locks, so what you said has never crossed my mind. The last one was a match lock, so all there is a LONG trigger pull. Well, it's more of a lever than a trigger. I actually shot a deer with it 6 years ago so it got retired above the fire place. It's a hoot when I take it out to the shotgun range and let the guys try and shoot trap with it. They have better luck with my flintlock New England Fowler.
 
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Sounds like fun watching someone try trap with a matchlock. Follow thru!! The sear thing doesn't come up often, never saw it with Siler locks. Have seen it with a few production guns. Can be a real bugger to fix.
 
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