Has anyone ever done this?

[michaelc]

I'm wondering if anyone has ever took a muzzleloader and used it as a single shot shotgun? Meaning using like #6 shot or bigger for reloads and using that for squirrel hunting.
I'm wanting to experiment with this, but I want input on how it worked or didn't work, what you used for a cover patch, and how was the pattern on the target?. I know inline muzzleloaders have a 1/28 twist rifling but I'm wondering but more than most, curious if it would alter/ foul the rifling. Any input would be appreciated and ideas/thoughts even more appreciated.

[onebentarrow]

You would need over cards and under cards or wads. I do not think they are available for standard muzzeloader calibers. I also would worry about leading up the rifling with lead shot or if using steel tearing the rifling up never to shoot well again. I know they make 12 and 10 Guage muzzeloaders in double barrels and the components to load them are available if you look. I think they even have shot cups for them too.
You can tinker with shot and powder and wads and get exalant patterns. As with any gun they each have a load they like and all you got to do is find it and then stick with it.

Onebentarrow

[stevein]

I hear this question a lot. Never tried it as I do not hunt squirrel with a shotgun and I have ML shotguns for whatever. All weights are grain volume not scaled.
Try Flintlocks LLC in Ninveh 317-933-3441. He may have better advicetoo. He has several sizes of wads including wads for BPCR. You can make your own with just an arch punch. Use some heavy solid .125" cardboard or Celotex. Use something like the box sticks of butter comes in for an overshot wad.

Most ML Traditional rifles like TC have a patent breech. This is a small chamber in the breech plug. It is 5/16 or 3/8 inch. With an empty rifle drop your ramrod down the bore. You should hear a clink. Now load a 45 to 50 grain charge and drop the rod down. You may not hear the clink. If you do up the powder in 5 grain increments until you no longer hear the clink, this is the minimum powder charge.

To load start with the powder. Then put in the butter box wad followed with the celotex or 2 heavy wad, rammed down. Use the same measure and load your shot. Top it off with another butter box wad and you are ready to hunt. Cap and have fun. There is a saying "LESS POWDER MORE LEAD KILLS THEM DEAD". I would increase the shot in 5 grain increments to try to tighten up the pattern.
You may get by with a sabot but I do not think the cup would hold much shot. Cut the petals off or try them as is. You will still need the over shot wad.
Any questions feel free to ask. You results will be similar to a .410 only no choke and rifling.

A rule I adhere to when loading ML Shotgun... After I seat the overpowder wad when I seat other wads I keep a finger or thumb on the ramrod for a second or 2 to be sure it does not back out.