Hi, I paterned the Pedersoli Scout flintlock 12ga shotgun. 48" wide paper was suspended between the paper roll and 3" diameter mailing tube, see the photo. The shotgun was fired a number of times 30yds from the paper target. Both compressed fiber wads and plastic shot cups were used. Since the barrel is cylinder bored, the shot spread was wide, however most shots had at least 3-4 shot holes in the target 4" center. All the fiber wad shots were consistent, the plastic shot cups showed variable results. Some of the shot cup shots had a tight centered group, tighter than using the fiber wads. However a couple of the shot cup shots showed a pattern like a donut, shot holes missing in the center. In the future I will only use the fiber wads. The second photo shows the loadings. First powder (60gr), then a 1/8" powder wad, then either the shot cup or 1/2" fiber wad, then the shot (1oz), and then the thin shot cover wad.
Felt recoil was minimal, however I was using the Pachmayr Decelerator slipped on the stock butt. One could shoot the shotgun all day without fatigue. Flintlock ignition was instantaneous with no fails to fire.
I think If I was hunting with this shot gun, I would limit my shots to ~20yds or so using the loadings tested.
Regards,
Richard