Blackpowder Shotgun Wonder Load - Testing the Skychief Method
They say that if a tree falls in the woods and one one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?
I’ll take it one step further;
If you shoot a muzzleloading shotgun in the woods and no one is around to hear you, will someone mention the skychief load?
And I Love it.
The skychief load is possibly the best intersection of muzzleloading and internet culture. Apart from word of mouth in the peak of 1970s the rendevous era, the skychief load is one of the coolest modern examples of a penetrating idea in muzzleloading culture
What is the SkyChief load?
SkyChief Load
Powder charge
Nitro (hard) card
Shotload
Thin overshot card
Full fiber cushion wad*
*The cushion wad needs to be SATURATED (the wetter and heavier, the better) with oil. I like to use olive oil.
The load seems to shine best when used in cylinder bored guns.
Best of luck to all, Skychief.
SkyChief History
I want to take you through some of the history of Skychief here, it’s an interesting story told through forum posts.
I’ve heard about Skychief for years, and always assumed he was a muzzleloading sage from the mountains who came down to discover the internet and decided to share his wisdom.
It’s not that that’s not true, but I think the Skychief story is a story of a beginner’s curiosity.
Joins Muzzleloading forum in 2006 - https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/new-hoosier-on-board.25105/
Begins asking questions about load development, Thompson/Center muzzleloading shotguns, blackpowder in general. https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/t-c-new-englander-turkey-load-ideas.37572/
In 2008 Skychief asks about using paper shot cups in muzzleloading shotguns - https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/anybody-here-try-this-looks-interesting.37616/
Later in 2008 Skychief shares the journey of patterning a TC New Englander
In May 2009, Skychief asks about beginner kits. He has some friends interested in muzzleloading and wants to get them started.
Takes first flintlock deer in 2009 - https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/i-am-another-flintlock-first-timer.52258/
First (?) Online mention of the load in August 2011 - https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/wad-or-shot-which-arrives-first.69162/
“I found a new load that shows real promise. I am using an olive oil soaked full cushion wad on TOP of the shot charge (#6 shot) out of my 12 gauge.
Which do you think or know arrives at a target 25 yards away....The shot or the lubed wad???”
The first post recieved 11 total replies of mixed scepticism, but that didn’t slow Skychief down, he continued to share his idea across the forum.
Like Skychief himself, the idea of putting the cushion wad on top of the shot could not be discouraged.
Each year, particularly around turkey season, the Skychief load would return and draw in a few more testers looking to change things up.
As more people tested, more people found it worked, and with that, the skychief load found more devout followers.
In 2020 the Skychief load is recognized for it’s popularity and a load description is “stickied” to preserve the load for future enthusiasts
https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/skychief-smoothbore-load-recipe.113195/