THE MUZZLELOADING SHOTGUN

In Clint Eastwood’s “Unforgiven” - William Munny contemplates the Schofield Kid’s offer and gets out his long neglected side arm and takes a few shots at a tin can – misses every time.  Frustrated, he returns with a shotgun and the can meets its demise. 

The muzzle loading shotgun is an overlooked essential tool of the westward migration.  For those familiar with the great prairie, a rabbit or bird is more likely a meal than a deer or similar game.  I’ve hunted rabbits and other small game with a muzzle-loading rifle and cap and ball revolver – if I was hungry, I’d select a shotgun for taking such game and with bird season right around the corner I’m eager to try something new. Small problem – I don’t have a muzzle-loading shotgun but I knew someone who did. 

The shotgun I borrowed was made by Navy Arms.  It’s a side-by-side cap-lock 10 gauge.  I also do not have shot gun specific equipment but after reading the included literature I discovered you can get by on items you may already have.  A revolver flask for the powder, a ball bag doubles as a shot snake, and a small pouch for wads and musket caps.  You’ll need an 80 – 100 grain measure with a mouth wide enough to pour shot into.  If you enjoy shooting the shotgun, as I did, then go out and buy the specialized equipment.    

The underside of the barrel is marked 109 grains black powder, 1½ oz.  The right barrel is modified and the left is cylinder bore.  Cylinder bore means there is no choke or tapering of the barrel in the last few inches to control or tighten the shot pattern.  Chokes range from cylinder bore, wider pattern with an effective range of 15 – 20 yards to a “turkey” choke, tight pattern with an effective range to 45 + yards.

As with any firearm, before use please read all of the manufacture’s included literature to ensure you understand the firearm’s safe handling, operation and loading procedures.  Additionally, this shotgun uses the larger musket caps which produce significantly more flash and debris.  Safety glasses are definitely required and I would strongly recommend a long sleeve shirt.

Once familiar with the safe handling, operation and loading procedures I went to the range.  The basic loading procedure is fairly straight forward, ensure the barrel and ignition path is clear, place powder, over-powder wad, tamp, pour your shot charge and place an over shot card or wad, tamp and with muzzle pointed in safe direction install cap and make the firearm safe.  Most agree an equal volume of powder and shot is the way to go.  I’m using 90 grains of 2f powder and an equal volume charge of #6 shot.  The debate begins with what type and how thick the over-powder wad should be and what type of wad or card to place over the shot.

A wad is required over the powder and performs functions very similar to the shot cup/wad in a modern shot shell - creates a gas seal and protects the shot from hot gases.  The over-shot wad or card performs the same function as the crimped end of a modern shot shell in that it holds the shot in place.  Opinions vary on what type of wad to place over the powder – 1/8 inch or so thick un-lubricated felt or card wad to a 1/2 inch thick lubricated felt wad.  One can even use a plastic shot cup.  I chose to use two Eastern Maine lubricated 10 gauge felt wads with a thin layer of Eastern Maine’s premium lube placed together forming a lube sandwich.  A single or double lubricated wad did not provide enough lube in the bore and the powder residue was dry and flakey.  The thin layer of lube between the two felt wads alleviated this condition. 

The grease layer between the two wads forms something similar to the grease cookie used with a paper patched bullet in a black powder cartridge load.  Additionally, I believe a better gas seal is created.  I placed a single felt wad over the shot.

A cautionary note – if the muzzle is pointed down and bumped the shot charge will move forward and you must re-tamp the load.  This is the case with a card or felt over-shot wad.  If the muzzle is pointed down and tapped on the floor, the charge will move forward.  Same forces involved as a kinetic bullet puller.  When the charge is loose you can hear the shot move when you elevate the muzzle.  You must re-tamp the load. A 90 grain volume charge of #6 shot weighs about 640 grains and counts out at about 310 pellets. 

So how does this load work?  I used a 4 foot square piece of cardboard set at 30 yards with a centered 36 and 24 inch circle as a pattern board. 

Have Fun, Be Safe, & see you next month.

Warren K. Mayes
Technical Advisor, The Possible Shop