black powder shotshell reloading

[jim garrett]

Paul, I have always shot heads up and I am always looking for pictures of me shooting to make sure that I am shooting that way. My sporting clays gun doesn't have much drop so I am fight down the barrel without lowering my head.I do not however like the new trend in sporting clays guns to have a high rib. The only time i will get down tight on a gun is when I am shooting my Model 32 trap gun (Remington that is). Jim

[jim garrett]

Mike, I noticed in the AHFCA newsletter that you might have a few "Foxes in the henhouse". When I first got into S x S guns I started with Foxes. At one time I had 7 or 8 pin models...don't ask me why, except that I liked them. I know this is the Parker site, but we need to have some organized Fox shooting activity at the Southern. Jim

[Paul Harm]

Jim, I've got Pat Liske's new CD on how he shoots. He has a high rib and a high monte carlo stock. In it he talks about the benefits of keeping your head up. The difference between our guns with a lot of drop and his is there's not the recoil problem with his. With a lot of drop, the muzzles want to come up and the stock hits you in the face - must be why I like 3/4 and 7/8 oz loads.

[Paul Harm]

I can't see the rings on a clay. Most the time I'm just happy to see the bird.

[jim garrett]

Paul, I said that was the hardest thing to do...sometimes I will go out to pick up the clay I just missed to see if I hit it all...then I can see the rings very clearly. Jim

[Preston Chaney]

Hi,
Do you use any compression of the powder as is done in BPCR shooting?
Regards
Preston C

[Paul Harm]

I'm not sure what BPCR shooting is, but yes I push the OP card down hard on the powder. I don't worry how hard - it could make more of a difference with rifle or pistol. Earlier someone was going to get Teflon - I would think it would be a waste of time and expense. I can't see any benefit. I've shot patched round ball and shotgun in the NMLRA since 1970 and the only ones who have used it were some slug gun shooters. No one shooting muzzle loading shotguns ever did.

[William Davis]

I shoot a lot of BPCS and have shot my Schuetzen rifle with Black Powder in certain matches. Compression is used by most competitors using a compression die before seating the bullet. Its a lot more compression than muzzleloaders.

Reason is it reduces fowling which is useful in matches, and some say improves consistency. It does increase pressure, not a problem in a rifle, most of us are using modern barrels able to stand much higher pressure than the Black Powder can produce. Not a good thing in a vintage shotgun

Shot shell I dump the charge in the case lightly press the over powder wad to settle the powder then shot/overshot/crimp. You need to press some, try dumping a charge, measure the depth then tap the side of the case with a brass rod. Powder dumped settles lot more than you would think when tapped. Compress lightly it settles it for you.

Boats

[Paul Harm]

I don't believe you can change performance a lot in the way a BP shotgun shell is loaded as far as compressing the BP a little or a lot. You're not trying to shoot a one hole group. You've got a 30" circle with lots of BBs. They may get there a bit faster, but not anything you'd notice. Equal amounts of shot and powder is all that's needed. You'll get a good pattern with decent velocity. Don't try to make it harder than needed.

[William Davis]

Exactly,

William