Ever wish you had a muzzleloading shotgun?
If you already own a break action shotgun you are almost there.
Check out how Short Lane Gun Adapters 209 Muzzleloading Adapter makes your break action shotgun much more.
Owning a muzzleloading shotgun would be quite cool right? Ray over at Short Lane Gun Adapters had the same thought and wanted to share a budget minded way of making that a reality. What was born is the Short Lane Gun Adapters 209 Muzzleloading Adapter. Let’s take a look at this interesting invention. The ignition source is a standard 209 primer like shotgun shells use. The alloy steel CNC machined adapter is made for black powder or it’s equivalent. The max load is 75-85 grains of suitable powder per supplied instruction manual (no smokeless powder!). This little number is for lead shot and not slugs.
The use of the Short Lane Gun Adapters 209 Muzzleloading Adapter is quite simple. With a clean break action shotgun load the adapter with the cut out lines to line up with your extractor. This way when you open the action to prime it the adapter stays put. If it goes in tight a little grease on the O’ring will help.
Now you have turned in this case a Henry Arms Single Shot 12 Gauge Shotgun into a muzzleloader. That was really easy right? Load up to 75-85 grains of suitable powder, add your over powder wad, then your lead shot, and finally your overshot card. Open the action back up and prime the adapter with a 209 primer. You now are ready to make some serious smoke, fire and lead output!
Also for this review I requested the Collapsible Ramrod. Collapsed down it is a mere 11.75″ long and fully deployed it is 28.5″ long. When packed in it’s leather holster complete with a belt loop it is ready to be in use in moments. Forget a long stick. If you buy the adapter you will seriously want the Collapsible Ramrod too for convenience.
With these two items the world of shotgun muzzleloading is now possible for the break open shotgun owner. Remember this will also work with double barrel shotguns too. Just buy a second adapter for a one-two punch.
For the range test I decided to go more modern. Instead of using a traditional over powder wad I chose to use a modern shot cup. That certainly is easier to handle and the pellet patterns will thank you. The only small issue I ran into is getting the plastic shot cup through the modified constriction choke tube. It was a tight fit but with a wiggle of the Collapsible Ramrod they went right in. If you were using a tighter choke this may not be possible. The over shot card then went over the loaded shot cup after it has been rammed carefully against the powder. I chose to use 2 over shot cards for positive retention and I would recommend that especially if out hunting and bouncing the shotgun around.
Powder used was the GOEX FFG black powder and Pyrodex RS powder. Targets were chosen fitting for spring turkey season. Shot after shot with lead #7.5 shot at 15 yards spelled doom for each paper turkey.
As proven by this target game getting patterns do exist from this adapter and a standard modified choke constricted break action shotgun. Tom the turkey had a really bad day.
I must once again state the Collapsible Ramrod is a great addition. I can see even when hunting with modern shotshells this item could clean your shotgun quick and remove any bore obstructions like mud, a stuck shell or wad you might encounter afield. That alone makes it a worthy item to pack anytime you have a shotgun in your hand.
So after firing all of those shots using the Henry Arms Single Shot 12 Gauge Shotgun and the Short Lane Gun Adapters 209 Muzzleloading Adapter what do I think? First of all it is incredibly fun. Fire a load off on your next hunt with your buddies or at the trap range and watch jaws drop. It is also very useful for hunting if you choose or are mandated by hunting in a certain area to use muzzleloaders only (check to be sure first!). In a survival situation loaded shotshells might be hard to get. Black powder substitute might still be stocked on the shelves or even make your own black powder in a real pinch. That, some lead shot and a 209 primer and your shotgun will still roar.
After use be sure to clean the adapter and your shotgun well. Remember black powder and substitutes can be corrosive if not cleaned up correctly. I prefer hot soapy water, followed by alcohol to displace and evaporate the water and finally your rust preventative of choice.
All of the Short Lane Gun Adapters are made right here in the good ole U.S.A. and quality is built into every product. Be sure to check out the Short Lane Gun Adapters website and see all the interesting and very useful adapters and accouterments they offer.
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NEXT: SHOTS FIRED: SHORT LANE GUN ADAPTERS PATHFINDER SERIES