On my single shot 12 gauge traditional shotgun I load 80 grains of powder, then an over the powder card. If you have none of these, you can punch them out of old milk container cardboard and use a hollow hole punch. Then a fiber wad that is greased. On top of that is the shot. Normally for small game I load 80 to 85 grains of shot. Or you can push a plastic shot cup from a standard shotgun down the bore onto the over the powder wad. Then using a second shot cup, pour an equal amount of shot down the bore. Then the over the shot card. I normally put two of the thin over the shot cards on it. This makes a good grouse load when using the short plastic wad cup and #6 shot.
Handy shotgun data for the new smooth bore shooter... POWDER DRAM TO GRAIN CONVERSION
DRAM MEASURE-------GRAIN EQUIVALENT
2? --------------------68.0
2? --------------------75.0
3 ----------------------82.0
3? --------------------89.0
3? --------------------96.0
3? --------------------102.0
LEAD SHOT SIZE AND WEIGHT
Shot#---Diameter---Weight ea.--------# pellets/oz (approximate)
#2 -------.15" -------4.86 gr ----------------------90
#4 -------.13" -------3.24 gr ----------------------135
#5 -------.12" -------2.57 gr ----------------------170
#6 -------.11" -------1.94 gr ----------------------225
#7 -------.095" ------1.25 gr ----------------------350
#8 -------.090" ------1.07 gr ----------------------410
#9 -------.08" -------0.75 gr ----------------------585
1. Measure and pour the correct powder charge down each barrel. If shooting a double barrel gun it might be wise to charge each barrel at the same time to avoid confusion as to what has been done in the loading process.
2. The over powder wad is next. Depending on the choke of your weapon, these wads can be snug to very tight. Start an edge of the wad and then finish it off by pushing it down on top of your powder with the ramrod. Seat the wad firmly on top of the powder.
3. The fiber cushion wad comes next---unless you are using a plastic sleeve type at this time. Fiber wads are not loaded dry. If not pre-lubed---Wonder-Lube , Natural Lube 1000 or another readily available lube can be used. Push the cushion wad firmly down on top of the over powder wad. If using a plastic sleeve, seat the sleeve just as you did the cushion wad.
4. Measure and pour the desired charge of shot down the barrel.
5. The over-shot card wad is next. Again---firmly push the wad down the barrel till it is firmly seated on top of the shot charge.
6. Return your ramrod to the thimbles.
7. With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, place your cap on the nipples. If the cap is loose---squeeze the skirt of the cap together and reinstall. Lower the hammers to half cock.
8. If during a hunt only one barrel of a double barrel shotgun is fired----remove the cap or empty the priming powder from the pan of the second barrel during reloading ---this will help prevent accidental discharge while you are reloading.
BLACK POWDER DRAM TO GRAIN CONVERSION
DRAM MEASURE-------GRAIN EQUIVALENT
2? --------------------68.0
2? --------------------75.0
3 ----------------------82.0
3? --------------------89.0
3? --------------------96.0
3? --------------------102.0
LEAD SHOT SIZE AND WEIGHT
Shot#---Diameter---Weight ea.--------# pellets/oz (approximate)
#2 -------.15" -------4.86 gr ----------------------90
#4 -------.13" -------3.24 gr ----------------------135
#5 -------.12" -------2.57 gr ----------------------170
#6 -------.11" -------1.94 gr ----------------------225
#7 -------.095" ------1.25 gr ----------------------350
#8 -------.090" ------1.07 gr ----------------------410
#9 -------.08" -------0.75 gr ----------------------585
1. Measure and pour the correct powder charge down each barrel. If shooting a double barrel gun it might be wise to charge each barrel at the same time to avoid confusion as to what has been done in the loading process.
2. The over powder wad is next. Depending on the choke of your weapon, these wads can be snug to very tight. Start an edge of the wad and then finish it off by pushing it down on top of your powder with the ramrod. Seat the wad firmly on top of the powder.
3. The fiber cushion wad comes next---unless you are using a plastic sleeve type at this time. Fiber wads are not loaded dry. If not pre-lubed---Wonder-Lube , Natural Lube 1000 or another readily available lube can be used. Push the cushion wad firmly down on top of the over powder wad. If using a plastic sleeve, seat the sleeve just as you did the cushion wad.
4. Measure and pour the desired charge of shot down the barrel.
5. The over-shot card wad is next. Again---firmly push the wad down the barrel till it is firmly seated on top of the shot charge.
6. Return your ramrod to the thimbles.
7. With the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, place your cap on the nipples. If the cap is loose---squeeze the skirt of the cap together and reinstall. Lower the hammers to half cock.
8. If during a hunt only one barrel of a double barrel shotgun is fired----remove the cap or empty the priming powder from the pan of the second barrel during reloading ---this will help prevent accidental discharge while you are reloading.
maybe that load diate will help you out.
