Bladesmith,
I have been reloading 10 guage(2 7/8") for only a short time, 60 rounds with blackpowder. I bought the federal hulls from BP. I have found that I had to use a Spin Doctor to seat my .5" fiber wad on the second reloading. I had to push the .5" fiber wad in quickly,as the hull closed slighly back the way it was. I then added shot and a .03 card and roll crimped. The 4.25 dram load with 1 1/8oz of shot has been effective for me. It also doesn't burn through the hulls as the five dram loads I loaded up did.
I will then cut the shell down to 2 5/8th" for a a third and hopefully 4th reload. I can only say that blackpowder is hard on the hull. I will have to see what kind of powder charge to use for this hull length. 90 grains?
I bagged two mallards with my 10 last week and am going tomorrow am for round two. I used the Republic Metallic five dram load with #4 bismuth. It is such a unique sound as 5 drams of blackpowder reverberates down the river.
