Interestingly one of the topics I find that a lot of hunters and shooters aren't aware of are black powder cartridge guns. People seem to think that smokeless powder created the need/desire for cartridge guns instead of the other way around.
Last year dad gave me an old Damascus barrel side by side shotgun. For those not in the know Damascus steel is made by folding layers of different quality steel and iron together to make a solid where the layers are attached but still different materials. This would be instead of mixing the metals to make a homogenous whole. Damascus steel is easier to make with primitive tools than modern "fluid steel". The problem is that it's nowhere near as strong and isn't tolerant of smokeless powder shotgun shells.
Well that's no problem, I've got black powder (well, for cartridge guns I use Pyrodex) and for $80 Lee will send a simple shotgun shell loader.
These are all bismuth loads. Back when I first got my 16ga muzzleloader I picked up 2 pounds each of #4 and #2 shot. Last year there was a sale so I bought 10 pounds of #6. #6 bismuth is good for ducks, #4s for geese.
During bear season I found a beaver pond with a ton of duck activity so one day during duck season I snuck in before dawn. The pond was completely deserted until right at sunrise when the wood ducks started piling in.
I had a pretty good hide and enjoyed myself just sitting there watching the birds come in, completely unaware of my presence.
My shooting wasn't great but I did manage to score two.
Its pretty sweet taking ducks with a 120+ year old gun using shells you made yourself. That duck hole is a great spot that appears not to be hunted by anybody else. While I was there I heard, but never saw, some geese. I'll definitely be back next season.
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