LOADING AND SHOOTING A FLINTLOCK FOWLER
![History's First Shotgun History's First Shotgun](https://magarticles.magzter.com/articles/10368/232475/59706e7a00f9f/Historys-First-Shotgun.jpg)
THE LONG-BARRELED, SMOOTHBORED—no rifling grooves in the barrel— flintlock gun played a major role in early American firearms. Extremely versatile, the gun could fire a single round lead ball with decent accuracy, or be loaded with loose lead pellets and used as a shotgun. In this article, we’ll discuss the latter.
The Early Shotgun
When used as a shotgun, it allowed pioneer hunters to cleanly take fast-moving small game, even knocking flying game birds out of the air, earning it the name “fowler.” The long-barreled fowler eventually evolved into today’s short-barreled shotguns. Early fowlers were usually .62 caliber, which is equivalent to a 20-gauge shotgun. Later, other gauges became available. The double-barreled fowler, or shotgun, was developed for a quick second shot before it was necessary to reload.
Loading the Fowler
The load used in a muzzleloading shotgun is very similar to a modern shotgun load, except that the components are loaded directly down the barrel of a muzzleloader instead of into a modern shot shell casing. Most loadings available in modern shot shells can be duplicated by a muzzleloading shotgun. In a muzzleloader, every shot is basically a custom load. This allows the flexibility to tailor each load for a specific purpose.
Various combinations of powder charge, shot size and wad spacing allow loading the gun to match the game. A smoothbore can be loaded “down” for trap shooting or loaded “up” for turkey hunting. Some pioneers preferred a smoothbore fowler over a rifle because of this versatility. Many meals were provided for pioneer families, thanks to the flintlock fowler that hung over the fireplace mantel.
This story is from the Aug-Sep 2017 edition of Modern Pioneer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Aug-Sep 2017 edition of Modern Pioneer.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Ultimate Provider
5 WAYS TO OBTAIN FOOD WITHOUT GROCERY SHOPPING
Setlines For Turtles Haul In Giant Snappers With A $2 Setup
Setlines For Turtles Haul In Giant Snappers With A $2 Setup
![Ice Fishing For Trout Ice Fishing For Trout](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10368/199548/585d1aab5ecb1/crp_Ice-Fishing-For-Trout.jpg)
Ice Fishing For Trout
Harness the Season’s Fastest Action.
![Proficient Canoeing Proficient Canoeing](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10368/199548/585d1c62d6525/crp_Proficient-Canoeing.jpg)
Proficient Canoeing
Expand Your Knowledge With This A-Z List.
![The Amazing Pencil The Amazing Pencil](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10368/199548/585d216c5c119/crp_The-Amazing-Pencil.jpg)
The Amazing Pencil
History’s Most Significant tool Perseveres.
![Elk Hunt Of A Lifetime Elk Hunt Of A Lifetime](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10368/191405/583d76655fe55/crp_Elk-Hunt-of-a-Lifetime.jpg)
Elk Hunt Of A Lifetime
An adventure bowhunt in the land of enchantment.
![8 Ways to Bee CAREFUL 8 Ways to Bee CAREFUL](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10368/191405/583d7c77108e8/crp_8-Ways-to-BeeCAREFUL.jpg)
8 Ways to Bee CAREFUL
Avoid and escape a relentless on slaught.
![10 Ways To Be Self-Sufficient In The Backwoods 10 Ways To Be Self-Sufficient In The Backwoods](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10368/208019/58ab7779e9561/crp_10-Ways-to-be-Self-Sufficient-in-the-Backwoods.jpg)
10 Ways To Be Self-Sufficient In The Backwoods
Do you have what it takes to live life in the rough?
![DIY Coffee-Can Heater DIY Coffee-Can Heater](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/10368/208019/58ab79b774bef/crp_DIY-Coffee-Can-Heater.jpg)
DIY Coffee-Can Heater
Keep warm over a portable open flame.