Got out with the new Diablo 12bore Howdah today... I took some pictures to share with you guys.
Made a nice cross-draw holster for it first thing, and noticed right-off how well this little package rides on your hip.
On 8 1/2"x 11" typing paper I printed a couple buffalo targets. I want to shoot a few rabbits and doves with the little 12bore, so this target fits the bill nicely.
The target position coincides with L/R barrel. I tried 3 different loads on each target.
First load:
@10 yards
30Gr. 3fffg Goex OE
9 balls of (0Buck) in each barrel. (just shy of a 1oz.load)
Standard 12ga plastic shot cup
Cardboard overshot card.
Left barrel put 2 hits on paper w/1 hit in the Buffalo.
Right barrel, 0 hits on paper.
I was able to count 14 total (0)Buck hits on the pallet out of the 18 total balls shot... the shot column of this load stacks so nicely into the shot-cup, that I believe it could be made to shoot with a little effort.
Second Load:
@10 yards
30Gr. 3fffg Goex OE
1oz. of No.6 shot (Dipper made from 45-70 case)
Plastic shot cup
Cardboard overshot card.
Left barrel landed 64 hits on paper w/16 of the No.6 hitting inside the Buffalo...
Right barrel, 67 hits on paper w/ 26 hits taken by the buffalo
The wooden pallet was pretty well littered with No.6.
Judging by the concentration of hits on the the two buffalo...these are both dead rabbits for sure!
Third load:
@ 5yards (15feet)
60Gr. 3fffg Goex OE
.715 Round Ball bare ball
Thick 3/4"Dia saddle skirting leather wad over powder
Cardboard overshot card.
Left barrel shot the face off the buffalo and the right barrel took the buff in the belly. This was a pretty close shot @15feet, but it's still challenging without a rear sight. I will say that big round ball over 60gr of BP has quite a little authority at the target, but the recoil was easy enough to manage.
Left Target: 16 pieces of No.6 in Buffalo
Right Target: 26 pieces of No.6 in Buffalo
I tried a few of the No.6 shot loads with much(!) larger power charges. It didn't work for me. Heavy powder charges seemed to completely blow the patterns out... I suppose, do to the really short barrels. I even tried it with 1 1/2fg Swiss.
If you guys get into the Range or Field with your new Diablo, please tell us about it here! And remember to post pictures, or it didn't happen .
Stay armed and safe!