T/C New Englander test firing

[elee]

Hi all...just got back from test firing the 12ga. New Englander. FUN! I have shot about everything from .17 hornet to .577 nitro express....but this was my first go with a muzzleloading shotgun. I have to admit I was suprised by the wallop it delivers. This thing really loosens the fillings! Patterned it at 20yd on a large sheet of brown paper with a 10" paper plate stapled in the middle. It ain't no duck gun...but I was able to get pretty consistent shot coverage using 1 1/4 oz. of 7 1/2's and 82G FFg. The best patterns used one Circle Fly 1/8" nitro wad over the powder, and one Circle Fly .125 card over-shot wad. Tried about 15 different wad combinations. 1/8" lubed felt, 1/2" fiber wads lubed ala Gatofeo, Circle fly pre-lubed 1/2" wads...but the simple 1/8" unlubed cardboard consistently patterned better. At 20 yd., all the shot was inside a 28" circle, with 133 pellets striking the 10" paper plate. For a pic of the plate, go to
http://www.members.aol.com/l82859/pics/plate
As you can see, there are some fair sized holes in the pattern. Is this typical performance for a 12ga muzzleloader? I chose 7 1/2's because clay birds will be the primary target, along with (hopefully a few grouse or woodcock. 6's seem a little much for those targets! Should I be pleased with the results of my test..or does this patterning suck wind by ML standards? Ideas and comments please!
Thanks
ELee

 

[musketman]

Ideas and comments please!

Not too bad for your first time out with a black powder shotgun...

You can increase the shot load without increasing the powder to bring more pellets into the kill zone...

 

[Rat]

Modern guns don't always throw perfect patterns either. You done good.

Rat

 

[The Baron]

For your listed uses, that pattern looks good from here! :thumbsup: If you want to tighten it down, add a shot cup to the equation.

 

[Bearbait2]

Mr. Elee, Gentlemen and Ladies,
When clicking on the "site" you have listed it comes up a with a page that contains line after line of "jibberish". What am I doing wrong? Could it be because we don't use aol's brouser? ::
Best Wishes

 

[elee]

Hmmm...works fine for me Windwalker. Maybe cyberspace just doesn't extend all the way to Sawmill Creek, AK. Sure wish I was there though. Used to live in Iliamna, down by the Kenai. Greatest state in the Union! Where is Sawmill Creek?
ELee

 

[rayb]

windwalker:

Sir, i don't use aol and can see it ok. must be something else


rayb

 

[musketman]

Mr. Elee, Gentlemen and Ladies,
When clicking on the "site" you have listed it comes up a with a page that contains line after line of "jibberish". What am I doing wrong? Could it be because we don't use aol's brouser? ::
Best Wishes

Here is Elee's plate for those who haven't seen it...