doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com LOW PRESSURE 12 GA LOADS FOR LONGSHOT

I have not been able to locate any data for low pressure loads for Hodgdon Longshot in 12 ga/ 3/4 OZ. I load all my 12s for 3/4 OZ and need the low pressure because often I am shooting hammer guns/damascus barrels etc. I don't want to ever take a chance on a normal velocity/pressure shell getting into the fray. I didn't see much on the Hodgdon website. Thanks! Gil

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ttps://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/blackpowder-shotshell-loading/361504

I believe that this article by Ross Seyfried is close to what you are looking for.

Is there a source of Cheddite paper hulls in 12 gauge?

Just got two 2.5 inch 2200/count Cases from BPI, The online catalog shows no 100 hull bags in stock, but the higher bulk quantity was in stock for about $453 or so a case. Between Cheddite Paper and Federal Paper Hulls I am set for My a long time


Previously I was able to find cheddite paper hulls on Gunbroker, but the price was ridiculous

Gil, Longshot in 12 gauge is mainly used for the heavier loads as you have seen. I have been using TiteWad for my 3/4 oz. loads and really like them.

Other powders will do low pressure better but finding them can be problematic. I have a lot of PB, ExtraLite, 800X, 572, Unique and several other discontinued powders to work with. But most of these powders are use them up and find something else because you can’t get them anymore.

The real issue is how low do you want to go? If you want 6,000psi there are multiple options. If you want under 5,000 or even 4,000 then you end up with very few options. I found a Unique load at 6400psi which I reduced from there. Had them tested and loaded up 5,000, trimmed to 67mm to use in all my doubles. 67mm is safe in 2 1/2” chambers and the load is a decent speed without too much recoil. Plus I had almost unlimited free hulls to work with. So all my Fiocchi Hulls are trimmed down and loaded safe for fun use.

Jon, years ago I bought some 800X and found it to be the most inconsistent powder of all the ones I used and I always used a red powder baffle on my Mec's. I know you use Spolor's and wondering if the 800X is more consistant.

Drops are very consistent with the Spolar. The Spolar has a small vibrating motor that buzzes every stroke. I set mine up with a time limit switch so it gets about half a second of vibration every stroke. The result is primers move right along the primer track and the powder drops are almost perfect to the tenth of a grain every time. I agree a large flake like 800X can have drop issues on some loaders. You do not have problems with the 600Jr loaders because you only drop powder every five strokes so the machine gets a lot of shaking in between powder drops. You can have issues with the other progressive loaders, more so if you are not repeating your strokes the same way every time.

David Thanks for your suggestion on Titewad. I am trying to find some now. kind regards, Gil Russell Tucson AZ

Look at a shell in the 5,000 psi range. Velocity in the 1100-1125 fps. A 3/4 or 7/8 ounce load are all designed to operate a semi auto which means higher velocity to generate enough energy to cycle. The "best" 3/4 or 7/8 loads never make the published data because they will not operate a semi auto. A one ounce load, at a modest velocity, will be kind on stocks, barrels and shoulders.

Shell: 2 3/4" REMINGTON STS, NITRO 27, OR GUN CLUB PLASTIC SHELLS 1 ounce lead shot
Manufacturer Powder Primer Wad Grs. Pressure (PSI) Vel. (ft/s)
Winchester 572 CCI 209 12P1 20.1 5,100 1,125
Winchester 572 Win. 209 12P1 21 5,000 1,125
Winchester 572 Fio. 616 12P1 20.1 5,300 1,125
Winchester 572 Ched. 209 12P1 20.9 4,800 1,125

All loads taken directly from Hodgdon reloading data. 572 has been and still is readily available and not as over priced as all Alliant powders are these days. I can buy it for $37.00/lb. Meters well. I also like it in the 20 and 28. Multiple gauges is nice when you are trying to select powders to keep on hand.

Titewad is going to get you into the 6,000psi plus range. 572 does 5,000psi. And that is for an ounce with 572 and 7/8 ounce for Titewad. Research is easy if you go to the Hodhgdon loading data web page. Just select 12, and powder you want to look at, then shot weight. It eliminates all the hulls they do not have data for. I then just select the hull I like and it gives you all the possible load combinations. Scroll down and select based on pressure and then primer and wad combinations. It does you no good to find a listed load for Remington primers, which are difficult to find and costing 130.00/1,000 if you do find them, or a wad that is impossible to find. The 12P1 is the new Federal 1 ounce podium wad which is easily found.

I do not use any AA data for the new two piece hulls. I have seen two AA two base wads separate and I refuse to use any hull which has a potential to separate and lodge in the bore. Hulls are so easy to find, for free, and truth is I have tens of thousands of better hulls. If you have the older AA compression hulls the data is good for their use. But I have bins of Remington STS hulls on hand and Remington gun club versions are everywhere for free.