doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Favorite Reloading Recipes or Data Sources

I know that this has been answered in a scattered way throughout the forum, but I am about to jump into the reloading game and I'm trying to get some ideas for where best to start (before I buy powder, hulls, etc).

Would you all be willing to share your favorite recipes for low pressure loads or your 'go-to' source for data?

I'm specifically interested in low pressure field/upland loads in 2 1/2 inch and 2 3/4 inch for 12 gauge. I'm also looking for low pressure 16 gauge 2 3/4 loads (I've asked to join the 16gauge.com group).

I'll be primarily hunting over a dog for woodcock, quail, and occasionally pheasants.

To make this as useful as possible for a wider audience, feel free to share any gauge or load with which you are particularly pleased.

Thanks in advance.

I no longer reload but when I did my favorite low pressure load was from Claybuster Wad's website:

http://www.claybusterwads.com/index.php/remington-style/10

http://www.claybusterwads.com/index.php/remington-style/11

My favorite 1 oz Fed 209A, 18 grains Red Dot (or Promo) - I used this load in 2 3/4 inch hulls for both 2 1/2 and 2 3/4 inch guns.

My favorite 1 1/8 oz Fed 209A, 17.5 grains Red Dot (or Promo) - I only used this load in 2 3/4 inch guns.

Hodgdon powder and Alliant website. Printed manuals were nice but they no longer seem to be published. Too easy to get information on line. I still like printed because the on line stuff seems to get replaced and no longer pops up on the web.

I have kept reloading records of what I�ve used for 40 years. A lot of out of date stuff but also a lot that stuff which I can still use. So once you find a load write it down for future use because the information may not show up next time you search for it.

How did you find those loads Flychamps? I went to the site and cannot find it.

I concur in the recommendation of the Hogdon and Alliant web sites. Hogdon has some nice low pressure Clays loads for 2-3/4 inch shells using Winchester AA hulls and wads, Claybuster or AA wads and either 7/8 or 1 ounce of shot. I use these loads consistently in my British and Italian sxs. I can't help you with the 2-1/2 inch 12 data (although I'd like to find some as well) and you're already pursuing the best source for 16 gauge data of which I'm aware.

The links in my post above are directly to the load data - just look down the data sheet until you find Fed 209A, Red Dot and 18 grains. The velocity is listed as 1200 and the pressure is 6550.

On Claybuster's website the links "load data" to the loading data are in the description of the wad for the CB6100-12 and CB6118-12.

I only load low pressure loads, now. Plus, .410 "specialty stuff".

My two powders for low pressure 12 ga. loads are Solo 1000 for 1 oz. (clays} , and 7625 for 1 1/4 oz. bismuth (duck loads).

Good luck with your new venture. It can really pay off in $$$ with low pressure, and for .410s.

SRH

Thanks FlyChamps

Two follow up questions:

- I've read others who say it's ok to use 2 3/4 loads in 2 1/2 inch shells, just with modified wads. What do you all think?

- do any of you load fiber wads? Am I right to think it is a little more finicky in terms of getting a good seal, etc?