Shotgun loads

[ncboman]

I recently acquired a mint preowned 12ga Pedersoli SxS with full and modified chokes and am interested in learning about effective loads and how to do it.

Are shot cups used in muzzleloaders?

ncboman

[LampLighter]

F.I.L. has one. He hunts squirrel with it.

[captchee]

Im assuming it’s the one with screw in chokes .
Muzzleloaders can use shot cups , but the don’t load real well through a choked bores . In fact unless it’s a paper cup , it may not load at all . Cups can work , though mostly in a True/ cylinder bore
The nice thing about muzzleloading though is as you work up loads for your SXS you will find that different load combinations produce different results . Once you find the proper load , you may just find you get better patterns without a cup .
also i find no real issues with loading a full or modified choke from the muzzle . you do have to use softer or split cards and wads . but past that . she will load fine .
Here are some links for reading on muzzleloading shotguns.

http://members.aye.net/~bspen/shotgun.html

http://members.aye.net/~bspen/SmoothboreLoads.html

[Bill Mc]

I've got a powder/shot dipper just like that one in the first link. works well.

[Otter]

I have a CVA 12 ga SxS and have shot it not a whole lot. It is fun, though. Mine does not have screw in chokes and I haven't measured the bores to find out what choke they are, but I have found I need to use 13 ga components. I use equal volumes of 1f BP and shot, powder first then 1/8" over-powder card wad followed by 1/2" lubed fiber wad, shot and over-shot card wad. As Cap said, just experiment with different combinations until you find a load you like and works best for what you are shooting. Never have used shot cups, so can't comment on that.

[Gil Martin]

Last year I built a flintlock shotgun and use plastic shot cups. It is a lot of fun to shoot. All the best...
Gil