JMHO but 50grs is way to lite of a load in a 8ga. I'm not trying to tell you what to do because you've shot quite a bit - but just a thought or two. In the Dixie catalog they don't show anything for the 8ga but do show a 1 1/4oz load for the 12ga breech loader using BP. They recommend 92grs of 2F giving 1050fps. A light 12ga muzzle loading load is 76grs with 1 1/8oz's. What is your penetration ? I've shot quite a bit of 12ga BP loads in shot shells and have always used at least 75grs for clay targets and 80 to 90 grs for pheasants. In my 10ga MLers my load is 95grs for hunting. If it were me, I'd be using # 2s or 4s for tree rats- don't think the BBs are necessary; and you'd get a lot more shot in your loads and better patterns. I'd also use at least 75grs [ more like 95 ] for more energy. With a 13 1/2 lb gun you ain't gonna notice any recoil till you get up to a 5 + dram charge. Just some ideas.
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Paul Harm
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