I have a new 20 Ga Flintlock Fowler with a 42" barrel. While I have shot Blackpowder rifles for over a decade, I have never owned a Fowler and I'm not even a "shotgun" guy.
My problem is the pattern I'm getting, even at close range (ie: 30 - 45 feet). With an ounce of #6's and around 80 grains of 2F black powder (I've shot from 60 to 90) I get about an 18" to 24"+ shot spread. I have a "squirrel-head sized" spot on the cardboard to aim at and many times only one or two, or even no shot hits the spot; rather all around it like a halo.
I'm loading with over-powder card, wad, and overshot card. I was told by the builder that it is a TVM barrel (its a machined barrel oct to rd).
Suggestions PLEASE? I'm not sure what adjustments I can try to make to powder or shot load or other components to try to tighten this pattern up a lot. Maybe this is normal with no choke, I don't know not having shotgunning experience.
Should also mention it shoots patched roundballs very nicely. Group well and on target (at least out to 50 yards which is as far as I've shot it).
Thanks.
My problem is the pattern I'm getting, even at close range (ie: 30 - 45 feet). With an ounce of #6's and around 80 grains of 2F black powder (I've shot from 60 to 90) I get about an 18" to 24"+ shot spread. I have a "squirrel-head sized" spot on the cardboard to aim at and many times only one or two, or even no shot hits the spot; rather all around it like a halo.
I'm loading with over-powder card, wad, and overshot card. I was told by the builder that it is a TVM barrel (its a machined barrel oct to rd).
Suggestions PLEASE? I'm not sure what adjustments I can try to make to powder or shot load or other components to try to tighten this pattern up a lot. Maybe this is normal with no choke, I don't know not having shotgunning experience.
Should also mention it shoots patched roundballs very nicely. Group well and on target (at least out to 50 yards which is as far as I've shot it).
Thanks.