Howdah????

I'd think that a 10ga Howdah, even black powder powered, would be even less pleasant to fire than one of the old Ithaca Auto-Burglars in 20ga...

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Firing these one-handed can be very exciting if you don't duck to one side. ;) They were much more popular in 28ga for defensive use.
 
This is my .54 x 1:66 twist w/ 16" barrel. Easily shot one hand with 75gr of 3F under a 0.535" PRB

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The hogs & deer are not fond of it...

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FWIW

Just today I got around to patterning a 20 gauge nine inch barreled Howdah that I picked up recently. Since it's a short range affair I patterned it at ten yards this first time. I was favorably impressed. The patterns were very uniform, though wide. There was 60% coverage and even enough that it would be good enough for birds out to maybe 15 yards.
The load was 3/4 oz of 7.5s, 55 grains FFg (two drams), Nitro card, 1/4" cushion and OS card, Nice shooter. Horrible trigger.
The ten gauges must've been pretty fierce. But, then, so are tigers.
Pete
 
That sounds like a nice shooting gun.
Besides target shooting, it's also important to consider the ability of the shot to penetrate as much as how it patterns.
Depending on the purpose, shot penetration should be tested and smaller shot fired at lower velocities will penetrate less.
One way to test shot penetration is by shooting at a soup can at the desired distance. If the shot doesn't penetrate it then the powder will need to be increased, a larger shot size loaded or both.
 
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