Any favorite loads with bird shot, #6 to #9 shot for this size bore?
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.32 gauge/50 smooth bore loads
- Thread starter theoldredneck
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Shot size choice is determined by what game you are shooting. Doves a #8 or 7 1/2 is fine. Turkeys #6 or #4. Unwanted visitors in your home #2 buck works good.
Charges are also your choice. I'm not a fan of heavy charges. Try 50 to 70 gr. real bp.
Charges are also your choice. I'm not a fan of heavy charges. Try 50 to 70 gr. real bp.
Thank you Sir, the #9 for clays. The #6 to #8 shot for dove this fall if I can get a load worked up and can shoot it reasonably well. Was just interested in the loads that others were using. Was going to start with 5/8 oz shot and 40/45 grain ff or fff with different size shot and work up?
I load about 5/8oz in my .45. A little less volume of powder.
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I can't begin to get specific because I haven't worked with a 50 smoothy. But I'm all ears!
I'm a fan of smallbore shotguns, but my smallest to date is a honking 20 gauge (62 cal). I regularly use loads as light as 5/8 oz of shot, in the realm of what you'll be shooting. Deadly when you respect the range limits and use good loads.
Brits has given you an excellent insight from his work with a 45 cal. I follow much the same in my 20, whether light loads or heavy.
I'm a fan of smallbore shotguns, but my smallest to date is a honking 20 gauge (62 cal). I regularly use loads as light as 5/8 oz of shot, in the realm of what you'll be shooting. Deadly when you respect the range limits and use good loads.
Brits has given you an excellent insight from his work with a 45 cal. I follow much the same in my 20, whether light loads or heavy.
IIRC a 32 gauge round ball is about 0.540 in diameter. Its a little larger than a 50, but the loads should be about the same.
Thank y'all for the replies. The load info on the 45 helps. I'm more interested in shot than round ball. Would like to try it on dove if I can work a good load and can hit.
According to my calculations, a 32 gauge is 0.526" diameter. A 37 gauge is 0.501" in diameter.
So much for the technicalities, the basic load information is good for either application.
So much for the technicalities, the basic load information is good for either application.
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I've begun working with a fifty bore flinter smoothie so I'm all ears.
I took this bird on a wind, a quick snap shot with a 45 Kentucky type so a 50 should be as good!
5/8oz, thin card, two olive oil wet leathers and a card for a wad.
B.
5/8oz, thin card, two olive oil wet leathers and a card for a wad.
B.
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Hello Brit! Just wanted to say thanks for the wad tip in a .50 cal.(well,.45 cal.) Especially the olive oil on leather. Hope you're doing well and your hunting companion is as lovely as ever. George.
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Hello Brit! Just wanted to say thanks for the wad tip in a .50 cal.(well,.45 cal.) Especially the olive oil on leather. Hope you're doing well and your hunting companion is as lovely as ever. George.
Thank you Sir, tried the load and works great.
:thumbsup:
Sir, got wad punches from Ohio Ramrod that make better fitting cards and wads. Been playing with your card and leather wad combination using #9 shot on chipmunks around home. The better fitting cards and wads helped with better patterns. Fun to play with thanks again.
Did you wet the leather with a natural oil?
Try the leather as an overshot too as sky chief found with heavy overshot wads it improved his patterns!
I tried in the .45 and it certainly was no worse!
Try the leather as an overshot too as sky chief found with heavy overshot wads it improved his patterns!
I tried in the .45 and it certainly was no worse!
Put the leather in olive oil and let it get in the leather. Cut the wads after letting the leather hang a day or so. Did a over powder card, then leather, then shot and another card. Also did powder card shot and then leather. Either way pattern was better than with fiber or felt wads. Tried from 1/2 oz to 1 oz of shot. 5/8 to 3/4 shot best with a little less fff powder by volume than shot. Also tried 7 1/2, 8, 9 and #12 shot.# 8 or 9 shot will do just about everything I want with the small bore. Thanks again.
Great, I stamp the the leather and put in a small plastic bag then add the oil.
B :hatsoff:
B :hatsoff:
