Who makes a nice flint lock smoothbore that could double as a shotgun?

[The Real Hawkeye]

I guess it should be over .70 caliber, able to shoot ball or shot. Authentic reproduction of something. I remember reading Robinson Crusoe many years ago, and always thought it was cool that he had muskets that he used both with shot and ball. Gathered all kinds of game with them until he learned to breed and raise goats in captivity.

 

[Froggy]

I think you'll find a 20 gauge (.62) or even 28 gauge (.55) more useful, but if you want a 12 gauge I'm sure you can find one. Check out this place:

http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/index.php

You'll find the info you need there.

 

[Phillip Allen]

I know these people personally and have camped and shot with them since1972...(of course you don't know me I suppose), anyway...

http://www.caywoodguns.com/

 

[BigG]

There is a website called middlesexvillagetrading

Check out their New England Fowler. I'd get one in a heartbeat if I were in the market. They have some beautiful muzzleloaders and the reports I've got on them indicate they are reputable.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

MVT is a good source for a production gun, so is Loyalist Arms (no affiliation with me btw).

Any flintlock musket or fusil does both shot and ball. I like stuff in 20 ga (.62 cal) or 28 ga. (.54 cal). You need to know that to shoot both ball and shot, they have no choke, or in modern terms are cylinder bore. So you're talking 20 yards and less for a good pattern. One way to help compensate is to use a bit larger shot. If you'd use #8 on squirrel with a modern full choked shotgun, you'll want #6 with the flinter, as you'll have less pellets on target so they will have to do more work. I like #7 1/2 on pheasants with a modified choke in my caplock, but #5 with a smooth bored flinter.

You can use paper wads as a sort of shot cup to get you about 10 more yards, giving you say 35 yard range, but you really can't get much beyond that. FORGET using plastic wads. They cause all sorts of problems.

Some guys swear by the 28 ga/.54 as they say the shot-column is longer, and gives better results, and others swear by the 20 ga. I like my 20 fine.

LD

 

[Phillip Allen]

Zoe Caywood (War Egale Mill) has now taken I think all four types of turkey with one of Charley's fowelers...she's a dead shot and avid turkey hunter...I think she uses a 20 gage (doggone good shot with pistol too...muzzle loading of course)

 

[captaincaveman]

http://www.jackiebrowngunmaker.com/