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Forums10
Topics38,463
Posts545,036
Members14,409
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Most Online1,258 Mar 29th, 2024
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 644 Likes: 3
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 644 Likes: 3 |
I appreciate everyone's input. Lots of food for thought.
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 547
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 547 |
start with your assets, if any. it usually goes like this.......
what hull do I have? what wad do I want to use? what powder and shot weight? what primer?
all of this in numerous combinations is in free manuals offered by manufacturers. good luck.
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Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 3
Boxlock
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Boxlock
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 3 |
What gauge? There are some powders that are not interchangeable between 20 and 12. I just got my tracking number this morning for my MEC 600 in 20 gauge. My research is showing only about half of my 12 gauge powders are usable in 20.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 12,743 |
Shotgun powders are usable in any gauge "IF" the load is proportional to the gauge. The reason many powders have data only for 12 ga is they are normally a fast powder suitable for light loads. Many people are loading Down the 12 but not many are doing so with the smaller gauges. Most are Hot-Rodding the 20 &, etc trying to make a 12 out of it.
You can for instance load Red-Dot in a .410 "IF" you put an appropriate amount of it behind about 5/16 oz, It, of course, will not be suitable behind 11/16 or 3/4 oz. Nothing at all magical about any bore size, equivalent loads in any gauge are proportional to the square of the bore's diameter. 20 gauge loads proportional to a 12 are 71% of the 12s, while those of the .410 are .32%
Miller/TN I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 716
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 716 |
Oskar, What charge weight are using for your 12 ga 700x loads? Ive been using 15 - 16 grains and find Im not getting complete burn, especially at cold temps, with 3/4 oz of #8.
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,080 Likes: 466
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,080 Likes: 466 |
Caleb, While a press can be set up for various loads, it can be a pia going from one to another of varying column height. It's not economical to reload 12 or 20 ga. field loads as the cost of commercial is hard to beat reloading. Pick out a load you think you'll use more than others, one that would be expensive to buy off the shelf and set it up for it. It is not worth the expensive of buying and swapping out gauges as you can typically find a press in the gauge for less than the dies would cost. Gil
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,879 Likes: 15
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 13,879 Likes: 15 |
I'd recommend you look at loading a common target load as your first product. The reason is that you'll be able to take it to a local range and use it throughout the year and it can be morphed into use for upland birds from dove/quail to pheasant. It can also be a low pressure load for damascus guns.
I chose a load with 7500 psi, pushing 1 oz of shot at about 1150 fps. It worked for targets, small upland and even roosters if you didn't need to kill one at 60 yards. All I did was change shot size from 7 1/2 to 5.
Last edited by Chuck H; 07/08/19 11:33 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 973 Likes: 23
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 973 Likes: 23 |
Ive settled on these loads, using an MEC 600 and 700X. Works fine for my application.
Winchester AA Win 209 CB-1100-12 (WAA12SL) 1 oz 13.3 grains of 700X 5780 psi 1080 fps Bushing #22
Nitro27 Win209 CB-1100-12 (WAA12SL) 1 oz 15.0 grains of 700X 6300 psi 1100 fps Bushing #25
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,826 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,826 Likes: 12 |
I like playing with the old crimpers, but if you're doing a 100 or 150 at a time it's a lot easier on the hand and wrist to use one meant for a drill. For BP I cut a 46 bushing in half for around 85grs or plug the inspection hole in the bar and not use a bushing for around 100grs. I don't remember exact numbers right now, it's been a while for loading smoke.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,826 Likes: 12
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,826 Likes: 12 |
Phil, try 17 or 17.5 grs.
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