Finally got around to shooting the 16 bore with balls. I used .684" pure lead balls that I cast for the 14 bore cap-lock rifle. They engrave about 1/2 depth of the straight rifling. The target was shot offhand (standing) at 28 yards at a light spot on a piece of cardboard found on the range. I had to walk in and since it was a test, I didn't pack my shooting box with real targets, stapler, etc. The first 5 shots went into a group about 1 1/2", but the next 5 shots opened the group to over double, if you cound the low left shot. That shot, #6 could have been a bad hold, but felt good. I'm not sure it's mine, really, but stranger things have happened. I think if held tightly and shot off the bench, I could have made a pattern under 2" with 10 shots. This was the first time this gun has fired since I got it, shown by the 'rough' first test. The next test will be a bit more comprehensive, if I can get proper wads. I think the 480gr. wall will suffice. This gun shot to the sights, holding the bead just 1/8" higher than the bottom of the wide V. It looked and felt good, so I was happy to see the impacts just over the bead. If anything, it shot a bit left for the first run of 5 rounds. After heating up, the group moved a tich right - might have been me. I was cold, tired and not shooting 'up to snuff'.

The load used was a .715" hard card 1/8" over 82gr. 3F GOEX, then 2, 1/2" 16 bore lubed fibre wads(undersize), then the .684" ball, then crimping using the 12 bore paper crimping cone from my Herter's loading press. When cleaning, there was no leading - I was surprised and happy overall. I'll edit to include more pictures. I'll try to get some 13 bore wads for further testing.