Loading an ML shotgun

[RobertSubnet]

Greetings all.

I recently acquired a muzzleloading shotgun. The manufacturer's recommened load is 80 grains of FFG with 1 1/8oz shot.

Looking through my Sam Fadala book he says shot and powder can be loaded volume for volume and that you only use a single measure.

So my question: after loading the gun with 80 grains of powder, to get the right number of pellets (shot), do I just pour the 1 1/8 ozshot in to the measure (set at 80 grains) until it is full?

Also I plan on using this gun to hunt rabbits. This is really a question for the manufacturer, but I didn't see recommended shot in the manual. So for a non-toxic shot, would hevi-shot work allright? Or is something like Bismuth a better way to go?

Thanks for your comments.
~Robert

[wabi]

For loading shotwith a powder measure set it at:
70 grains = 1 oz shot
80 grains = 1 1/8 oz
90 grains = 1 1/4 oz
100 grains = 1 3/8oz
I've found reducing the powder slightly usually gives better patterns. I'd try 70 grains powder and 80 grains (1 1/8oz) shot.
Unless the manufacturer states the barrel is steel shot capable, I'd shy away from anything but lead or bismuth. Even is steel compatable barrels a suitable plastic shot cup (wad) is required.
I find my NewEnglander patternsfine with lead shot and no plastic wads. If I were going to use non-toxic shot I would try bismuth.
The way I load is:
powder - wad (fiber wad or just two card wads) - shot - card wad over shot. I like 80 grains ffg powder and 90 to 100 grains (1 1/4 - 1 3/8 oz) shot. The NewEnglander has a max load of 100 grains powder / 100 grains (1 3/8oz) shot.

[RobertSubnet]

Wabi:

Thank you that really helps to clear things up! Is there a particular shot size you would recommend?

I am hoping to get to the range later in the week. I have never fired an ML shotgun before so this should be interesting.

~Robert

[wabi]

I actually mix shot sizes. 4-6-7 1/2 for most small game. Don't know why, it certainly doesn't work in shotshells, but mixing it doesn't seem to hurt the patterns from the muzzleloader.

[RobertSubnet]

Wabi: OK, I'll give that a try. Thanks again.

~Robert

[cayugad]

Then when you pattern the shotgun try all different combinations like plastic hulls with no fiber wads, or fiber wads with no plastic hulls, the plastic on top of the powder card, etc..

I shoot 80 grains of powder and 90 grains of APP 2f with 90 grains of #5 shot. It seems to work real well for me. I've been shooting APP because it cuts down on the fowling, and you do not have to swab the barrel so often...

[Rock Lock]

My personal load for small game(rabbit /squirrel) is 70 gr 2F, 2 overshot cards, circle fly wad, equal amount by measure #6 shot, overshot card. For bird hunting I only change the shot to #7 1/2. I found adding the overshot cards on the powder gives me about a 10-15% more shot in the pattern.
Rock Lock

[oldwun]

I use my Knight TK200 mainly for turkeys. I use the load recommended to me by a Knight rep at the NTWF show in Nashville. 100 Gr T7 and a shotcup full of your choice of shot. It is a turkey killer I know at 43 yds.

[goatbrother]

As far as shot size goes it would be no different than choosing shot size for a cartridge shotgun, smaller shot for smaller game and bigger shot for the bigger ones.