Help w/28 gauge muzzleloading shotgun

lobshot41

I recently purchased what seems to be an old/older 28 guage ml shotgun. It seems to be in good shooting condition except for a missing ramrod. (I think I have found a source for a replacement). The only markings on the gun are Spain, 28 guage, and some serial numbers and funny symbols. It has about a 30/32 inch barrel. I have never shot a ml shotgun and there is not much information out there for one of this caliber. Could someone recommend a load for this gun. I was thinking 40-50 grains pyrodex, and about the same amount of #6 shot, but really have no experience in this area. Help?

AdamsQuailHunter

First of all get yourself a copy of the Dixie Gun Works, Inc. catalog. Their web site is www.dixiegun.com. They have all the materials necessary to make a new ram-rod. Don't do an "el-cheepo"--get the HICKORY rods that will fit your thimble. They normally will not ship you just one - but have a minimum number. If you sweet talk the lady on the phone you can probably get just two and two of the same size of their other hardwood dowels. Build a tube of 1/2 inch PVC - put one of the hickory in it and fill it with diesel fuel or kerosine - and let soak for 3-6 months (you will have to put a cap in it or the hickory dowel will just float up and stick out of the PVC). This will make the rod much less subject to shock and less likely to break. It needs to be taken out of the diesel fuel or kerosine and allowed to dry out for a couple of weeks before you make the new rod. Yes - I know you don't want to wait this long, so go ahead and make your "temporary" ram-rod out of one of the less expensive dowels and use the HICKORY for the "permanent" ones. Put a JAG tip on the other end (the one away from the "button" end) that allows for the use of an 8X32 threaded patch/wad puller---sooner or later you are going to need it.2. Dixie Gun Works, Inc. will have all the necessary wadding for your 28 gauge. You need an over powder wad, the fiber wad, and classically the over shot wad. The over powder wad/card keeps the lubricant in the fiber wad from contaminating the powder charge. Personally, I like "B" over shot cards by Alcan or Herter's (the ones used in shotshell reloading) rather than the thinner over shot wad/card that others have. You can use an over powder wad/card just as well as an over shot wad/card on top of the shot charge.3. Do not go over 7/8 ounces shot and an equal volume of 2Fg black powder. This would be about 60 grains on your powder measure. Yes - you can use Pyrodex. If you can find it--use "RS" for cartridge rifle and shotgun use. You can also use 2Fg Clean Shot. I don't suggest Clear Shot -- I find its' burn rate too inconsistent and the shot string is way too long. NEVER--NEVER pour the powder down the barrel from a powder flask. Put the charge in the measure and then down the barrel. Make sure that the over powder wad/card is firmly seated over the powder charge as well as the fiber wad. You will need to mark your ram-rod so that you will know the components are properly seated.4. DO NOT carry the shotgun capped and the hammer down. DO NOT carry the shotgun capped and the hammer on half cock --- NEVER - NEVER trust the half cock position.5. If you will tell me what the marks look like - then hopefully I will be able to tell you which proof marks they are.

lobshot41

Adams, Thanks so much for the information. I found the shot, wads, and cards at Mountain State Muzzleloading. I also found the ramrod materials you suggested there. However, I hadn't ordered yet because I hadn't decided what size ramrod I would need. I will check Dixie as well. The thimble is very small. The ramrods from my T/C Hawken and Black Moutain Mag. won't fit in there, plus they are too short. I was thinking I would go ahead and order 1/4 and 5/16 both and see which works best. I will cure the hickory the way you recommend, what a great idea. The marks on the gun are:1) three circles together forming a triangle of sorts.2) The other either looks like a nights head with a shield, which has a x on it(the shield has the X), or perhaps it is a bottle with a funny lid with an x on it.Both symbols appear twice on the barrel.I really appreciate the help!Greg

AdamsQuailHunter

The proof marks are all Ebar proof marks rather than Barcelona proof marks. The "shield" mark is the admission proof and the circles forming a triangle is the final black powder proof mark for muzzle loading shotguns.Does Mountain State Muzzleloading have a web site????? I am not familiar with them and would like to add to my list of sources for materials.Too bad you are in Illinois -- We would have get together and do some rail hunting in the "Big Bend" or some dove hunting. I am one of the few "nutcases" that still hunts with black powder muzzle-stuffing shotguns in the northern part of Florida.

lobshot41

Adams, Sounds like a fun hunt. I have hunted for deer for years with ml. 50 cal Hawken and this year a Black Mountain Mag. (I love) even though it's not so traditional. This shotgun is my first and I will probably use it for dove, rabbit, and squirrel; however, there are a few quail around. Mountain State is: www.mtnstatemuzzleloading.com and they seem to have lots of great stuff for smokepoles.Thanks again,Greg

roundball

FYI...I've used Mt. State for years and they have a good catalog too...Another good one is Southeastern Outdoor Supplies in Virginia, 800-368-5924;Plus, Warren Muzzleloading in Arkansas, 800-874-3810, makes excellent ramrods, particularly tubular or solid brass ones;I started using brass ones in my T/C Arms Hawkens a few years ago when you could no longer get the T/C Arms resin impregnated ones due to the fire at their factory...

rhmc24

All that went before is good info. I don't recall anyone saying that you can use dowell that you get at lumber yard or hardware store for a temp ramrod. Typical is 36 inch length and available in various diameters by 1/16 inch increments for under a dollar each. Be sure to check what you buy to be sure the grain of the dowell runs lengthwise. Some times you can luck out and get a dowel of ash or even hickory. Hope this helps.

lobshot41

thanks for all the great info everyone. I appreciate the good ideas.Greg

AdamsQuailHunter

Lobshot41:Please contact me directly at adamsqua@bellsouth.net. I have a thing here somewhere -- it will take me a while to find it -- if fits over the nipple and has a place for a #11 cap as well. You can fit it over the nipple -- let the hammer down on it. Then simple remove it -- move over to the cap -- stuff it on. If you tie it on with braded fishing line -- you just drop it and pull the hammer to full cock and fire. I will be glad to mail it to you when it find it. I will need your address to do so. I do not want your address showing on this public forum, hence the need to contact me directly.