Trapdoor Forager

[hatman]

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??

[St. George]

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!

[hatman]

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. 

[St. George]

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!

[Gunner.cgn]

I recently acquired a forager.   

[hatman]

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.   

[hatman]

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!