Pennsylvania Game News - March 2009 - 61

these gray nests in the late winter. So how much wadding is enough? The answer, according to Hujsa, was to load enough to tamp down a solid cover, but not so much that it becomes a paper plug that adds to the pressure resisting the powDennis Scharadin der. In other words, about a FOR A REAL THRILL try hunting upland birds with a half inch thick over the muzzleloading shotgun. powder, and a quarter inch over the shot. of loading that muzzleloading smoothbore. If a hornet’s nest is so desirable for a Black powder is the best choice for a muzzleloading shotgun, why isn’t it sold in muzzleloading shotgun. There are far too stores? Perhaps two words answer that ques- many replica black powder substitutes with tion: availability and intimidation. These higher energy formulations. While the nests are not easy to find, and most folks cleaner burning replica powders are desirdon’t want to go anywhere near them. And able to some shooters, the higher energies a word of caution, never use a nest that lead to “blown” patterns and unsafe preshas been sprayed by an exterminator or sures. If one follows the recommendations insecticide. You certainly don’t want that of manufacturers in new guns, and they residue on your hands. provide loading data for Triple Se7en, If you are a bird hunter you will come Black Mag3, American Pioneer or to enjoy the renewed challenge of upland Blackhorn 209, then feel free to try them. game with a muzzleloading shotgun. While But my tests with patterning have been such shotguns will never replace fast point- disappointing, as the patterns blow to iring over/unders or rapid firing autoloaders, regular shot densities on the targets. they do add an element of nostalgia and More than a hundred years ago, challenge to this alluring sport. And, one muzzleloading shotgun competitors estabmuzzleloading shotgun can handle all situ- lished that “volume for volume” loads of ations, from woodcock to wild turkey. It is powder and shot created the most desirjust a matter of selecting a custom load to able patterns for glass balls filled with feathfit the game bird’s size and shooting dis- ers — later the claybirds we shoot today — tance anticipated. or even flying game. The same load holds While new muzzleloading shotguns are true for today. Dove loads check in at 60 an investment, they are worth the price. grains; pheasants at 80; waterfowl at 90; Not only are their architectural lines clas- wild turkey at the century mark. These sic, the elegant rise of the hammers above loads will give surprisingly good patterns the receiver takes our mind’s eye back to a at 25 yards, but the addition of insertable simpler time. Many of the shotguns handed chokes will extended adequate pattern down through the family are also a fine densities out to 40 or more yards. choice for the field, as long as they have It is important to remember that been inspected by a competent gunsmith muzzleloading shotgun velocities will cross before being tested by yet another black the 10-foot chronograph screen at about powder load. 1,000 to 1,100 feet per second. This is So once the shotgun is secured, safe and about 200 feet per second slower than ready for practice, let’s review the process modern lead or Hevi-Shot loads, and about MARCH 2009 61

Pennsylvania Game News - March 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - March 2009