Percussion shotgun newbie

[Hawg]

Good on ya.

[mazo kid]

It sounds like you are on a good roll!

[Len]

Spent some time today, making a dowel for rolling cartridges for the shot gun. Prepared some different paper with saturated potasium salpeter. Made a couple of loads. Will test shoot tomorrow.  Will try out the oldtimers' use of flaxen fibers over the powder and as a top dressing.

[mazo kid]

Len, do you have paper wasps in your area? Old timers used the material from those cylindrical nests as wadding.

[Len]

Len, do you have paper wasps in your area? Old timers used the material from those cylindrical nests as wadding.

Yes, we got them. Did the oldtimers include the wasps when loading? Shot the cartridges this morning. The salpetrified newspaper paper totally disappeared, leaving no residue.

[Hawg]

Did the oldtimers include the wasps when loading?

They sure did. They gave the loads a little more sting.

[mazo kid]

A few years ago a bunch is us went on a weekend canoe trip in the Fall. I found a paper wasp nest along the shore and cut it off. On the way home, in the car, those little critters warmed up and started flying around. Luckily, we had a plastic bag and got the nest into that. When I got home I sprayed a good dose of wasp killer in the bag and closed it up. That took care of them!

[Len]

I'm having a great time shooting this shotgun. Trying out ways and means. Paper cartridges work just fine. Have used paper and linnen/flaxen fibres to separate pellets from powder. But, found something else! After I felled some really old trees, there were these flaxen-fibres-looking thingies hanging from the stem and branches. After searching on the internet it seems to be a mushroom species called lichen, long entangled yellow-grey stuff. like a beard. It doesn't smolder when pressed, but is quite spongy. Proved a super material for packing cartridges. The native Americans used  it for treating wounds, as it has some sterile function (which might be a negative factor in a live load).
Will try to get up some pics, just get to cool down first.

[toot]

you did on a great score my friend.

[toot]

it is a very nice shotgun. if you use the dipper is the same amount fro powder & shot. I always use the lowest setting on it. it is sufficient believe me.

[toot]

YOU SHURE GOT A REAL BEAUTY!

[Len]

Thanks toot (Wish I could claim the same good looks for myself)

[Len]

Spent the last two days fraternizing with the Saxon 1857 made shot gun. Earlier shot it with small loads of #7 bird shots. Now have gotten down to casting #4 buck shots and loading 45 grains of Swiss. Great fun! Might go up to 60 grains, but not willing to  jeopardize such a nice old relic.

[mazo kid]

I'm just speculating here, but I would think 60 grains of powder under a like volume of shot would make a pretty hard-hitting load in your 18 gauge.

[Len]

I'm just speculating here, but I would think 60 grains of powder under a like volume of shot would make a pretty hard-hitting load in your 18 gauge.

Thanks Mazo, you're right, I'll stick to the maximum of 45 grains.