I sent a check on Monday to Al Frasca for a Trapdoor Forager.
I told Al I hope to shoot an occasional round of skeet with it.
I've got a few test BP 20ga loads made to see how it patterns for starters.
If everything goes well I hope to be able to buy some 20ga brass shells for some cool authenticity.
If it doesn't, well I've got a cool piece of history to caretake for a few years. :)
Does anyone else have any experience with a Forager?
Although I shoot mild loads of 5744 in my original trapdoor carbines and rifles I'm assuming it wouldn't be a good idea to use smokeless skeet loads in the Forager??
Not the best of ideas - no.
Shooting skeet will present a challenge - it's not like these had chokes - it's more like 'spray and pray'...
Scouts Out!
Quote from: St. George on August 07, 2021, 06:42:55 AM
Not the best of ideas - no.
Shooting skeet will present a challenge - it's not like these had chokes - it's more like 'spray and pray'...
Scouts Out!
Thanks for the confirmation.
Yeah, my goal for actually hitting birds is appropriately adjusted. :)
A 'forager' was tasked with getting meat - not with gentlemanly conduct that allowed his prey a sporting chance.
That was never a consideration of the times.
He'd stalk and ambush - thus giving himself every chance of success - a short-range weapon like that Trapdoor was suitable for that work.
Scouts Out!
I recently acquired a forager.
Quote from: St. George on August 07, 2021, 03:16:35 PM
A 'forager' was tasked with getting meat - not with gentlemanly conduct that allowed his prey a sporting chance.
That was never a consideration of the times.
He'd stalk and ambush - thus giving himself every chance of success - a short-range weapon like that Trapdoor was suitable for that work.
Scouts Out!
Thanks. That's a good point.
I think I'll raise my chances by ambushing the birds before they leave the High House. ;)
Well the forager arrived yesterday (looked even better than the pictures) and I went to the range today.
With just a few test loads the 50gr 2F Swiss performed best, like a skeet choke on the pattern board. Even better it didn't blow up and kill me. :). Recoil was minimal.
I went off to the skeet range and from station one I went 2 for 2 on incoming birds from the low house.
Now it's time to load up a couple boxes for a full round or two of skeet.
I couldn't be happier to be the latest custodian of this piece of American history!