Almost time to make the 12 ga go boom!

After a long and frustrating journey my English fowler build is nearing the end.

I had to replace an off center cut barrel that I noticed after the fact, broke two drill bits off in one of the trigger guard lugs. The trigger guard isn't removable so I had to shape the stock very carefully around it with a small chisel. I also left about 1/2" of extra wood to inlet my butt plate through for "practice". Took me at least 50 hrs to get the dang thing where it needed to be, lesson learned.

Now for the question; My barrel is a 38" Colerain, D weight, 12ga fowler barrel, jug choked full by Danny Caywood.

For those of you with a similar barrel, what size ball and patch works the best for you.

If my fowler shoots a round ball reasonably well I am going to add a rear sight. If not, I won't go to the trouble.

Eric I have the colerain 32 inch 12 ga barrel and it too has been jug choked by Danny and it does very well out to about 50-60 yrds with a patched 690 self molded ball. At 25-30 yrds its like shooting a rifle that make a very big hole :thumbsup:

Thanks, I was debating between a Lee .690 or a Lyman .715 mold.

Did you ask Danny Caywood for any recommendations? That would be my first source for answers to loadings.

Next I would measure the bore at the muzzle. My usual starting point for the ball is one patch thickness less than bore diameter. A loose load is two patch thickness. The lubricant should hold the ball in place as well as the gathering of the patch material. Jug chokes allow you to use a full sized ball.

The bore is .728

A thicker patch is better than thinner for smoothbores in my opinion. I like the 0.017" thick cotton drill from Joann's Fabrics. A tight load would use a 0.710" round ball and a 0.690 would give an easy sliding fit with your favorite patch lube such as a soft blend of bee's wax and oil. You should be able to shoot the 0.690 all day but fouling build up will mean that regular swabbing of the bore will be necessary.

Asking the barrel maker makes the most sense.

Eric. Do you have Danny's contact info?