doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Low pressure 1.125oz. [32 gram] 12ga. loads

For those w/o any PB [sadly no longer being made], Hogdon's 800X is a good substitute. Hogdon's have numerous loads listed in their on-line data w/readily available hulls.

The 'trick', if you wish to call it that, is to specify Hogdon's 800X and NOT IMR when looking for the data.

FWIW, you can find internet tales stating that 800X does not flow or meter well. I have never found that to be true, nor any issue using it w/a single stage MEC loader.

Anyway, there is a lot of tested low-pressure 800x data available at that site. Just thot to mention it for those interested. Won't be long before dove season opens.

Hey tw, I also use 800-X for my 12ga Low Pressure loads. 800-X has worked well for me even in colder weather, no bloopers or duds.

I do weigh each of my powder drops for my hunting loads. It does meter crappy in my experience.

As to IMR vs. Hogdon, same powder, just different labeling, per Hogdon.

Best,

Greg

How low are you talking?

Hi Dave, the recipe I use is 6000psi @ 1200fps for 1 1/8oz load using Fed. Gold Medal Hulls and Windjammer wads. There are others with higher pressures, but I use 2 3/4" hulls in my 2 1/2" chambered guns with no problems.

I also have a load for 16ga using Cheddite hulls, but with Longshot, 7000psi @ 1200fps

Best,

Greg

Nice! I just loaded up a 1 1/8 oz load today, but it's that next rung up at 9000 psi. Gold Medals, F209A, 20 grs. Green Dot, B&P wad, at about 1145 fps. Got a light 70 mm 12 gauge I'm messing with.

I use 800x with the load below but have never shot them in the cold. MAYBE 32F at the lowest. Like TW, never had a metering problem. My press is also a single stage 600. I'm sure you could use a milder primer, have them tested by Tom A and the pressure would be down a bit.

AA hull
rem fig 8
fed 209a
800x 20.5
1-1/8oz
1100fps
5200PSI
Verify the load on IMR's site!

My burning question is ....... Gary, why would you want 1 1/8 oz. loads for doves? Those are pheasant loads, man.

Are things really bigger in Texas?

SRH

800X is a large flake powder and doesn't meter as well as many others. This is not to say it can't be used, and in a single stage press there isn't a problem. I tried using it for 28ga in a Mec 650 and it wouldn't meter. I called Mec and they told me not to use it with a 650 because the bushing was so small the powder drop would vary too much. With a progressive press the powder bushing only sits under the bottle for a very short period of time. In a single stage it would be ok because the bushing is under bottle while other operations are taken place and the bushing would fill properly. This may be where you heard of a problems with 800X.

I'm thinking Paul's remarks are spot on about the metering issue.

To Stan's question; the lightest loads Hogdon lists using 800X is 32 grams of lead shot in the 12ga. w/lower pressure recipes. I'm thinking that is because it is not well suited to lighter loads from a ballistic efficiency perspective in that gauge, but in truth, the remark was simply a reminder that it won't be long before the various bird seasons open.

Shoot high flying birds in following winds where the shots can be extreme [over an honest 40 yards; that's 80(!) by the inexperienced &/or poor judges of distance] and 32 grams of #7.5' makes a good dove load. Used to shoot dove out in W. TX w/a former Federal Ammo rep.; he had ten cases, not flats, cases of Federal 36 gram paper flyer loads rat-holed for that kind of dove shooting and he used them to good advantage.

Personally, I've found 25 grams of #7's from a 20ga. the best all 'round dove medicine, but they are not low pressure rounds.

I have to admit to having shot 3 1/4-1 1/8-8 loads at doves for many years as a young man. I was not a "questioner" then .... If it worked I used it and didn't wonder why. As I grew older I became more inquisitive, and eventually wanted to know just what was necessary for different kinds of dove shooting. Today, I use everything from a 1/2 oz. .410 load, in the early season, to 1 oz. with tight chokes, in the late season. But, I can honestly say I do not believe there is any sporting circumstance where more than 1 oz. is needed to bring down a dove, even a very long, high bird. If you can't kill him cleanly with 1 oz. 7 1/2s, and a full choke, he probably should be given a pass, IMHO.

I was mostly kidding you, tho', because most of my dove shooting buddies use 1 1/8 oz. religiously, all season. (Doesn't make it right, tho'.)

SRH