Just wondering: Can a standard in-line muzzleloader fire 12 ga. BB shot? Would I need a "shotgun" barrel or would the rifle barrel be fine. If I seat the shot in plastic cylinder with a wad on top.
thanks
2007-02-05 15:29:04 · 5 answers · asked by devilduck74 3 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Definately you have to have a "shotgun" otherwise known as a Smooth Bore Barrel. Barrels that are rifled are only meant to shoot Round Balls or Conical Bullets, if you try to shoot anything else in them your asking for big trouble.
2007-02-05 16:11:54 · answer #1 · answered by bigjfry 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Lead shot, yes it will. It will probably give you fits with the leading problems and your spread will suck rocks, but it will in fact shoot quite safely.
An oldtimer muzzleloader trick of using shot for close up bird hunting was common at one time. If it was safe in oldtimer guns, it's certainly safe now.
Oldtime loads often consisted of a measure of shot poured into a bit of liquid beeswax. Once cooled, the beeswax/shot clump/ball was wrapped in paper. When rammed down, it formed to the chamber walls and didn't need an over shot wad.
As to the leading prob comment. I have no idea from experience....but I do know that lead shot in rifled barrels of other types tends to lead the barrel pretty mean. Then again, the paper wadding and wax might even fix that.
Would love to hear how your patterns turn out, sir!
2007-02-05 23:10:10 · answer #2 · answered by randkl 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Wads don't go on top..wads are a gas seal and shot cup.
Shot sizes don't go by gauge - BB size is BB size regardless of the gauge of the shotgun.
You'd be better off just getting a shotgun or if you have a TC muzzle loader, getting the shotgun barrel.
2007-02-05 15:44:49 · answer #3 · answered by DT89ACE 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i dont see why it wouldnt work, but like the other guy said your patterns are gonna suck and they arent gonna be consistent. the rifling of the muzzleloader will send the load out of the barrell spinning and this spinning will throw the shot out in a huge pattern instead of holding togethor like you would want. if your gonna use it for under 10 yds for rats or snakes then go for it but i wouldnt trust it past that.
2007-02-05 23:44:27 · answer #4 · answered by YourDailyDoseOfCommonSense 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Read your owner's manual it will probably say somewhere to use only for recommended loads. I.E. .50 or .45 cal round ball, miniballs, sabots, etc. Nowhere will it say that you can shoot bb's. In theory you could, but they will go all squirrely out the end of your barrel since it probably has a twist in it.
2007-02-06 01:28:33 · answer #5 · answered by Heythere 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋