What do you shoot in your TC New Englander

I have a nice old 12ga New Englander that I bought in the early 80's, I'm 99% sure it's a cylinder bore. I used to squirrel hunt with it back in the day, but never shot any load other than #6 shot using TC cork wads. My oldest Son "borrowed" it from me but I think I'm going to "borrow" it back and put it to use again. In addition to normal shot loads, I'd like to try a PRB. I was thinking around .715. And I do plan to mic the barrel when I get it back. What say ye?

Well, I got impatient to hear different, so I ordered some .715 RBs and some .70/.79 patches in .010, .015, & .018 to try.

TDM said:

Well, I got impatient to hear different, so I ordered some .715 RBs and some .70/.79 patches in .010, .015, & .018 to try.

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Good luck! Always fun to try something new!

Never have shot PRB loads in my new englander 12 gauge but it is definitely cylinder bore. I think they only came that way or with interchangeable chokes. Fantastic guns though. Let us know how those you ordered turn out. Been wondering the same thing.

No experience with ball in New Englander.

On September 1st opening day of dove season my load was same as past several years. FFg powder, over-shot wad, shot, dipper full of corn cob grit, over-shot wad. Pattern board testing a few years ago showed buffering with corn meal, corn cob grit or muffin mix improves shot distribution and center density. Can't say what the exact amounts of powder and shot are- dipper setting hasn't changed in years.

My compatriots using modern guns get a lot more doves than I do- but I have a lot of fun!

Hermit Tim said:

Never have shot PRB loads in my new englander 12 gauge but it is definitely cylinder bore. I think they only came that way or with interchangeable chokes. Fantastic guns though. Let us know how those you ordered turn out. Been wondering the same thing.

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I definitely will, and mine is cylinder bore too. It has been so long since I shot it I just wasn’t sure but I now I know they were all cylinder bore until the choke tubes came out.

Probably won't need a patch . Cylinder bore for a 12 gauge is .720. Not much room for a patch

flconch53 said:

Probably won't need a patch . Cylinder bore for a 12 gauge is .720. Not much room for a patch

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Well, there’s a fair amount of variance in that. The standard US 12 ga bore is .729 and I’ve seen it listed as .7299 and I’ve seen it listed as .725. Then if you have an English, German, or Japanese 12 ga barrel the standard is different ranging from .719 to .710. Generally, a US made cylinder bore will be .725 but it can vary with each manufacturer. My New Englander bore measures .725.

That still is a tight fit in a smoothbore

Load without patch. I load powder over powder card then wad of lubbed tow drop in ball then another tow ball or use a over shot card . I have had my New Englander since ' 95 or so
MWAL

I have been using a .690 ball with a .020 patch, over powder card, and 80 grains 2F in my Treehawk (camo new englander).

Very good accuracy at 50 yards, and I am using a screw in Cylinder choke.

Elgatodeacero said:

I have been using a .690 ball with a .020 patch, over powder card, and 80 grains 2F in my Treehawk (camo new englander).

Very good accuracy at 50 yards, and I am using a screw in Cylinder choke.

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Did your Treehawk come as a shotgun or did you add a barrel? Never seen one in 12 gauge but it sounds like a cool thing to have.

Getting closer to shooting the New Englander in 35-40 years. I know, I know, I should be ashamed. Anyway, took my old shot snake out of storage, it has #6 shot in it. I’d forgotten that the shot measure was adjustable. Used an electronic scale to weigh and the 1st notch throws 1.05 oz, 2nd notch was throwing 1.10-1.15 oz, and the 3rd threw 1.25-1.30 oz.
With the adjustable powder measure set to 90 gr, the 2nd notch fills the measure nicely. That’s what I’ll start with just to see how it patterns. The .715 RBs came in yesterday but I’ll have to wait till my next trip home to get them. After reading the comments not sure how that will go, but I only bought 25 so I’ll just melt ‘‘em down if they’re too big. So, I made 3 dozen cardboard cards yesterday and I have plenty of my old TC cork wads. Now I need to get the energy to gather it all up and walk about 100 yards to my shooting range. I’ve mentioned before that I’m a bit lazy.

TDM said:

Well, I got impatient to hear different, so I ordered some .715 RBs and some .70/.79 patches in .010, .015, & .018 to try.

Click to expand...

You don't need my permission to fire that bad boy up!
Make some smoke and show some targets!

wganz said:

You don't need my permission to fire that bad boy up!
Make some smoke and show some targets!

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I’m not much for watching TV, especially at my camp where all I have is an outside HD antenna. It picks up lots of channels that aren’t worth watching. But on Fridays, a station out of Vicksburg, MS plays continuous episodes of Forged in Fire from noon till midnight. Since I dabble in knife making Friday afternoon and evening is my TV time. But tomorrow maybe I’ll make some smoke!

Just finished shooting my New Englander. All shots were 90 gr 2F Goex, old TC cork wad, 1 1/4 oz #6 lead shot, and a cardboard card. I decided not to use any lube except blowing down the barrel after each shot (my range, my rules). Made 6 shots before I swabbed with a moose milk patch. I was pleased overall, the gun performed flawlessly, but I had forgotten how hard the thing kicks with 90 gr !

And this the original, cylinder bore barrel.

This was the first shot from 25 long paces, so approximately 25 yards.

The 1st & 2nd pictures are after 5 shots. On the 3rd photo I backed up another 10-12 paces, so maybe 32-33 yards. Just made some random shots after that.

I’d like to hear whether others use lubed wads and other tricks, I’m no expert with the New Englander.

In April 2022 I killed a nice wild turkey at about 30 yards with my TC new englander, I used a modified choke, 90 grains 2F goex, and 110 grains of bismuth #4 shot from Rotometals. The tom dropped where he was standing.

I will use 80 grains 2F and 100 grains of shot next time.

My loading is powder, thin and thick over powder card wads, shot, and lubed felt wad on top. I like to use the CCI Magnum #11 cap.

Elgatodeacero said:

In April 2022 I killed a nice wild turkey at about 30 yards with my TC new englander, I used a modified choke, 90 grains 2F goex, and 110 grains of bismuth #4 shot from Rotometals. The tom dropped where he was standing.

I will use 80 grains 2F and 100 grains of shot next time.

My loading is powder, thin and thick over powder card wads, shot, and lubed felt wad on top. I like to use the CCI Magnum #11 cap.

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Thanks!