doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Duplicating the 12 gauge pigeon load

Stan, you are right on the money. I have tried the 3 3/4 loads. I prefer the lighter load for first barrel. But i have no recoil reducer on my MX8. That could make all the difference.

The Alliant book load for the Federal case 3�dr load with Unique is AFAIK or can feel identical to the Fed GoldMedal pigeon load and patterns like a hammer in any of my Mirage pigeon guns. The 3�dr will kill pigeons at the fence and it is mystery to me why anyone would feel the need to abuse themselves with anything more. I mean, 7/8 � 1oz in a 28ga will kill pigeons decisively and people think 3�-1� is necessary? And plated shot? Maybe before plastic wads but not even necessary with late 20th Century wads.
But, of course, not everyone sees the world in the same light. Some even willfully purchase and abuse themselves with Krieghoffs.
go figure

Besides, I don't think the o.p. was talking about pigeon loads in general. He was asking about the old live pigeon load that numerous gunwriters have mentioned. The first I heard write of it was Dan Holland but Bob Brister and Gene Hill probably mentioned it as well.

I have a GraCoil on my MX8, but honestly would have probably never bought one, having no previous experience with recoil "reduction" devices. But, a friend gave me a buttstock that had an adjustable model GraCoil on it, and I've been shooting it for about 10-12 years. It's nice with the 3 3/4 - 1 1/4 loads, but not entirely necessary. I'm not very sensitive to recoil, as far as pain or flinching from it, but how fast you can get the gun back on a speeding away pigeon after the first shot misses is another ball of wax.

SRH

Interesting, and illustrative collection of vintage inanimate and live pigeon shooting videos here. Observe the response to recoil, and how far the cheek is off the comb for several of the second shots

http://www.trapshooters.com/threads/vintage-live-action-trap-and-live-bird-shooting.514889/

I recall seeing some of the best shooting and their guns didn't come up enough on the first barrel to see it. Obviously well fitted and I'd be betting not cannon loads.
BTW the biggest size shot allowable are 7's but pretty much unobtainable.

They used US no. 7 shot. About 300 pellets to the ounce.

Wonko -- you can still get 7s. I load a lot of upland loads for my 16s and 20s with 7s.

Fallschirm, the Academy load you linked does not specify velocity, an important point when considering performance on pigeons and recoil. The standard 1220 to 1280 pigeon load takes both into consideration.

Thanks, Chukarman. I've reloaded about a bazillion during the last near 30yrs, but it was always drudge work. Over the last couple years it has become economically unjustifiable. Just last week I finally broke down all the loaders to make some usable bench space. I'm not feeling like I'm missing anything since they've been idle for more than a year already.

A new phase in old age that is not bothersome at all.