Brad, a proper fowling piece flintlock or persussion I think myself would easily be twice the game getter as this one. In fact I had much better luck with preliminary buckshot loads at the outdoor range @25 yards. I seriously did not have many really good birdshot loads made up for it. The vast majority of my advice I garnered from Muzzleloader forum & a tidbit here and there from British historic military forums. In fact this one is just a very short flintlock 10 gauge with a crazy flare at the muzzle. In my micro experiences at the range I suspect the wide flare has a very detrimental effect on birdshot patterns, just a little less pronounced with heavy buckshot at 9 & 25 yards.
I too do not have very much blackpowder scattergun experience at all, (a sniff above zero) but I knew that I could stuff enough lead down the pipe safely & with my favorite spot often giving very short range encounters, & I had a better chance knowing where the higher percentage of rabbits were harvested at close range.
I think this sums it up pretty good, with this thundergun, the smaller the target, the smaller the shot & longer the range, the worse it performs IMO.
that's pretty much how it is for me right now buddy.........
Edit: I almost forgot to add: Catnthehatt gave me some great advice on wad seating pressure. Even and careful seating of the overshot wad, must be done as to not have a negative affect on the pattern density with any muzzleloading shotgun.
This forum is filled with experienced BP shooters that offer very helpful advice!
Thanks guys!!
