thanks

less powder and better patterns is a long standing general rule-

my goal is to get those old patterns at the longer range with Nice Shot and perhaps Bismuth

and my goal has never been to get nose bleeds :shock:


back in the lead pre-steel days my long range load out my doubles was a Remington express load- 1 1/4 #4 for geese and big ducks - #6 over decoys

i still have a few #4's left- they are saved for troublesome varmints -out of of a full choke they will end the marauding of a large racoon at a real distance

For pattern testing, I don't think you have to use expensive shot. My patterns shot with my old #4 lead duck loads, 1 1/4 ounce, Herco powder, were so tight when fired out of a .040 choked Sterlingworth, that the 60 yard patterns would fill a mallard full of shot. At 40 yards, the patterns were too tight to shoot at any bird. With harder shot, that gun may have shot patterns in the mid 90s at 40 yards. I still take these pattern sheets out occasionally, just for a look.

that is a tight patterned gun bill.. i have a lc smith long range that will shoot low 90 s percent all day... i ve read that fellow that hunted with a 6 ga muzzle loader could put 100 percent in the 30 inch circle at 40 yards....charlie

thats a tight shooting gun bill..i read some where the old guy that shot the 6 ga muzzle loader could put 100 percent in the 30 inch circle at 40 yards....pete lester has a gun that shoots low 90 percent at this range...charlie

Fred Kimble shot patterns out of his 6 gauge Tonks that many people found to be hard to believe, as Charlie mentions. I didn't find it hard to believe because I have shot similar patterns. The patterns I found to be the most unusual were from my W&C Scott 16 gauge, 26" gun. Using factory one ounce roll crimped factory loads, this little less than 6 pound 16 gauge regularly shot 90% or better patterns.

My 10ga J P Clabrough & Brothers hammergun will pattern lead at 91/92 %

again - just trying to come up with a non tox load that will perform well out of the three heavy 12's

a variety of components are on the way - the experimentation will begin soon

Rick, JFYI I did performance testing over this past winter of some popular factory non-tox shells using (three) vintage 3-inch 12's, and have a summary article in queue with the DGJ. The Cotes' told me while at the Southern that it will be in the upcoming issue or the following one, and that depends on their content mix. Some of the data was eye opening but that's all I want to say right now. :)

frank

that's great to hear Frank

i'll look forward to reading it

Notwithstanding all of the aforesaid, while keeping in mind the real possibility that a load that works well in one gun may not do as well in another gun, let alone a third gun.

I'll be very interested in the pattern board results of your testing Rick.

Dean





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Agreed Dean. And the bores and chokes are very different in these three guns

So lots of time at the pattern board. Hate to say it on the Parker board - but the priority gun is to get a couple loads set for the Super Fox. Being an early one it is back bored (.745) and well choked (.047)

After that I'll see what works best in the other two

Hopefully I can find one that has suitable performance in each


I would hate to have to serial number loads to guns :whistle: