Looking for 56 Caliber Smooth Bore T/C Renegade Load Suggestions

[waarp8nt]

I recently Johnny Cash'd me together a T/C 56 Cal Smooth Bore Renegade. I had the lock and most hardware, the barrel and stock came from GB and eBay respectively. Looking mostly for shot loads, but could use some advise on round ball loads too.

(Using it as a shotgun) I've been wanting to hunt squirrel and rabbit, (Using it as a rifle) I've been wanting to try smooth bore for deer. I understand this being smooth bore may reduce distance in regards to accuracy, but most deer shots are going to be around 50 yards or less with a max to 75 yards.

[smoked turkey]

Welcome waarp8nt. I have a 56 smoothie and I sure do like it for woods walking when the squirrels are on the move. I have shot PRB with good accuracy at paper targets and have shot several squirrels using it as a 28 gauge. Here is my recipe for shotgun loads in the .56: 50 gr Pyrodex RS, #11 cap, 0.25" 28 gauge cushion wad, 28 gauge green plastic shot wad column with 3/4 oz 7.5 shot, 0..25" cushion wad to hold the shot. These pattern very well and I sometimes eliminate the plastic shot wad and go "old time" and still have good results. Squirrels at 25-30 yards are no problem. It is a great way to go for the tree rats. My round ball load is also 50 gr Pyro RS with a patched .550 258 grains RB. my 50 yard group is about 3.5". Hope this helps and have fun.

[waarp8nt]

Thanks for the reply. I've shot a few muzzleloaders, but never as a shotgun. I look forward to giving recipe a shot.

[scattershot]

I had one awhile back, and the thing shot like a rifle with 60 grains of FFg, a Wonder Wad, and a tight patch. I used a .535 ball, and denim from an old pair of jeans. Pretty stiff to load, but boy, could it shoot!

good luck!

[Doc Highwall]

I had one and then later my BIL bought one and so I bought a mould for it that is made by Lyman, now the rifles is gone and I still have the mould.

[waarp8nt]

Shoot me a PM with details, if your interested in selling.

[Lefty Red]

Fun muzzleloader! Second favorite "musket"!
Jerry

[DIRT Farmer]

Not the TC but in my 28 ga trade gun I use a 5/8 (shot dipper) of powder and 3/4 oz of shot. I buy 28 ga wads, over powder, fiber and over shot. I dip the fiber wads in a 50/50 mixture of bees wax and olive oil, shoot clay targets all day. This load with #6 is good for rabbits and squrriel, 7.5 for doves and quail #8 for clays. A few ducks and two geese have fallen to #5 bismuth.

[Maven]

"... could use some advise on round ball loads too." ...waarpa8nt

I have a T/C .56cal. Renegade as well and was lucky enough to find a little used Lyman .550" RB mold for it on EBay. I've found that my gun is quite accurate out to 50 yd. with the .550" RB + a tight, .010" (compressed) patch and either 70gr. FFFg or 80gr. FFg using either a card stock over powder wad or a 5/8" felt wad* over the powder charge, naturally. Although many have reported impressive accuracy using a .535" RB and correspondingly thicker patching, I haven't found that to be so with my gun. Btw, Duro Felt is an excellent source of felt for wads.


*soaked in a melted white Crisco - beeswax mixture

[waksupi]

There are two stickies in the ML forum you may want to look at .

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?2605-The-Muzzleloading-Shotgun-by-V-M-Starr

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?160666-Gots-a-question-for-you-Trade-gun-shooters