How many of you shoot a 12 gauge?

[Magungo1066]

Just wondering how many people shoot a 12 gauge whether it be ball or shot. If so which do you shoot and what do you use it for? Kicking around the idea of eventually getting one.

 

[FishDFly]

Yes, shot, trap.

 

[Bob McBride]

I use one. Turkey hunting mostly. A few Watermelons with ball here and there. Split time between it and my 20 bore in the blind.

 

[Treestalker]

I shot a Traditions 12ga when they first came out; a friend had it and didn't like it. I used it on doves in Texas, to the howling amusement of my friends until I started hitting one now and again. Three out of five is supposedly the Texas standard, I got one or two. But Lawdy, what fun! I also pegged an old oil can at about 40 yards and that did it with the jeers. I let someone talk me out of that old single percussion years ago. I have just recently completed a 12ga Indian blanket gun with a 14" piece of modern barrel, a percussion lock converted from a Tower Pistol lock, and an ash full-stock with the butt cut about 9 inches behind the trigger. Three brass tacks adorn the right side butt, and it still needs a trade gun front sight. Proofed with 70 gr 3f and 1 1/8 oz #6. It feels and looks good in the hand.

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

Just wondering how many people shoot a 12 gauge whether it be ball or shot. If so which do you shoot and what do you use it for? Kicking around the idea of eventually getting one.

12 gauge double flintlock shotgun, loading shot for trap.
Flintlocklar

 

[Tom A Hawk]

I have a Navy Arm 12 ga double turkey gun choked full / full. It throws an awesome charge of shot.

 

[Magungo1066]

How about roundballs? Anyone shoot them?

 

[Bob McBride]

If you’ve never shot ball from one she kicks like a mule. Here’s a video of me shooting my Kettenburg 12 bore Bucks County Schimmel with 110g of fg.

Skip to 7:08 to see 4 slow mo shots of it being firing.The video is a test of fg, ffg, fffg, and Null B in the pan.

 

[Many Klatch]

I have been shooting a Pedersoli Bess for years. It's an 11 gauge. I mostly shoot roundball from it. It kicks like a mule but is survivable. No bruises after 20 or 30 shots. That big ball makes steel gongs dance. It's a lot of fun, but it sucks a can of powder dry in a short time and you had better own a lead mine if you shoot it regularly.

 

[BillinOregon]

Bob, you were taking a pretty good beating with 110 grains all tight. Very good form and follow through.

 

[TNGhost]

CVA double, shot, waterfowl, mostly Canada Geese.

 

[jlatz]

For several years I have been using a Beeson inline 12 ga. single barrel trap gun. From 10 to 20 yards from the trap house I have used 2 3/4 drams of fffg with an ounce and one eighth of # 7 shot. That combination breaks clays well. In original gun events I have liked using a Birmingham pre-1855 double 12 ga. At 10 yard trap I have found that 2 1/2 drams of 777 and an ounce of #7 shot works well. Seven shot has about 20 percent more inertia than 7 and 1/2 down range on the target.

 

[fourbore]

I used my TC New Englander on rabbit a couple times. It got the job done, but; my friends dogs have to get most of the credit. I loaded No6 shot. I was a little heavy on the amount of shot. With dogs, you can get pretty close so an open choke was not a disadvantage. I think a lighter single shot has some advantages over a double.

If I was going to shoot balls, I would want a little heavier gun with good sights. Rifled would be a plus. I see that as two different guns. Not like 200 years ago when buying a gun was a great financial burden.

 

[Britsmoothy]

Two and critters. Ball couldn't possibly say!

 

[Dave Marsh]

Bob, do you put any lubrication on your TOW?

Dave

 

[AJFedak]

12 ga. for waterfowl hunting and skeet. 10 gauge for sandhill cranes and swans.

 

[Bob McBride]

Bob, do you put any lubrication on your TOW?

Dave

If I’m hunting I do for sure. At the range I’ll sometimes use it unlubed but you have to be aware it will often smoulder. I‘ll coat it with my patch lube or Borax/hot water.

 

[OTHERN]

I have a 13 gage double bbl flint shotgun. Use for dove, turkey and pheasants.

 

[Jay Templin]

I have a couple of CVA double barrel 12s, and they're choked, so I shoot .69 balls over 80 gr FFg with cards or wads, or 80 gr (volume) of birdshot, or 12-14 OO buckshot. Mostly for targets at Rendezvous, but also for critters. My Manton 12 ga flintlock prefers a patched .69 ball but shot loads are the same. My Besses use .735 balls, and I typically load paper cartridges. My matchlock takes a .715 ball, but I usually patch or wad a .69 because I don't have a .715 mould.
Jay

 

[Billy Boy]

I shoot a Pedersoli 12 ga double, shot only (fine and coarse), 90-95 gr 2f or RS, same vol (approx 11/4 oz ) shot, grouse, rabbits.