16 Ga. single with a 1 OZ. slug

[Whiteoak15]

When my state finally set a ML deer season, single shot smoothbores only were required. I have an old 16 ga. percussion in excellent condition and decided to try it for deer. I took 12 ga. cast hollow base foster slugs and rolled them between two heavy steel plates miking them as i went to get them to just below bore diameter. A16 Ga plastic wad with the petals cut off on top of a 3 dram load of 2F and a light 1/8 wad held everything as it should be. Yes, I tested it tied into an old car tire first! It would shoot 3 inch groups at 30 yards and I went hunting. I wish I could say I killed a deer with it but no luck that year and I bought a smoothbore .56 Renegade to hunt with the following year and bought a .54 barrel for it when rifling became legal here. I still have the fine 16 ga single and will try it with an ounce of #6 on pheasants this year. It seems I'm progressing backwards but that beautiful smoothbore is so light and handy, I have to try it. You CAN use a real antique if you are very careful working up loads and not try to magnumize them. The FUN level is worth the effort.

 

[ohio ramrod]

As you stated when shooting older guns don't use maximum loads and you can get a lot of use out of them. My oldest boy still uses his Bavarian Leader made in the 1880's