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The Under Appreciated Wad

Wads have neither the fire and excitement of the powder nor the power and impact of the load, but there would be no shotgunning without them.

Traditionalists say that one-piece plastic shotgun wads, made to fit inside a shotshell, fit too loosely in a muzzleloader and create all kinds of problems that range from lost pressure to erratic patterns.  Many critics also say shot cups are difficult to start down tightly-choked barrels.  In fact, some shooters unscrew chokes to load plastic cups, which is too much hassle for most traditionalists.  The new and improving shot cups, however, are designed for muzzleloaders and have a growing army of proponents who say loading difficulties are addressed in the new guns and cups.

Let's look at the all-important wad column of a standard load.  Wads come in different thicknesses and materials.  Over-powder wads are generally heavy cardboard that are up to 3/32-inch thick.  The traditional load calls for two over-powder cards to be rammed down on top of the powder, followed by the shot charge and capped with a thin over-shot card.

Other traditionalists, however, use either a thick cushion-fiber wad over the powder or an over-powder card followed by cushion fiber wad.  Still others prefer felt wads, like pre-lubed Wonder Wads from Ox-Yoke Originals.  According to the folks who use them, nothing is easier than ramming two Wonder Wads on top of the powder, then a thin over-shot card over the shot.

It all comes down to what you want to use and, more importantly, what your shotgun wants to use.  Head to the range with samples of each, either buy small quantities or borrow a supply from a shotgunning friend.  Don't forget plastic shot cups, because if you don't try them, you're going to be wondering what they can do for your pattern.

The load variations aren't endless, but it seems like it, especially with frontloaders that feature interchangeable screw-in chokes similar to modern-day shotguns.  You can also add different choke variations to all the other variables, that range from adjusting powder charges to adding or subtracting from the shot column to all the different combinations of wads and cups.  Let's just say if you want to try it all, plan for a long day at the range.