shotgun shell reloading

[Bill W]

Dove season is just around the corner (as I count) so I'm starting the summer season of shooting skeet in preparation.   I decided I'd load all my ammo up at once instead of a couple of times during the season.  Today was about 300 rounds and should finish up tomorrow as I thought I'd need about 500 rounds (two flats) to get me to the end of August.

One thing pre-season shooting does for me is to make me more creative in my reasons for missing doves.

I should have added my reloads are 3/4 oz loads at 1200 fps.  About the same as a 28 gauge but loaded for my 12 gauge.

[CP]

What’s your recipe?  I have a hard time getting a ¾ oz load to pattern well.  I usually have to bump up to 7/8 oz.

[Bill W]

I'm throwing with a bushing and haven't weighed the powder for the precise weight.  Per the bushing chart I'm using 15.9 grains of Clays with the Claybuster 1075-12 wad and a 3/4 oz bushing of shot.  I switch back and forth between Winchester and Federal primers as the low pressure of the load I'm shooting allows that.   I use either AA or STS hulls.  Also the low pressure of the load permits switching cases.

Burns really clean in my 12 gauge o/u.  Don't know if it would cycle a semi.

And I don't know for what reason I selected Clays.  It would seem the slightly faster burning Titewad would be better suited for the light loads.  The load recipe is on the reverse of the labeling in the Claybuster wad bag.

Also the Clays I'm using is the older Australian powder and not the newer denser Canadian Clays.  The Canadian Clays would throw heavier in the bushing as it's denser.

[Henrydog]

Switching primers and not checking your powder weights regardless of what the bushing chart says can be very dangerous.  Those are pretty low pressure loads like you said but with it being hot and dry the air is less dense and you might get some really light throws the will leave a wad stuck in the barrel

[CP]

I'm throwing with a bushing and haven't weighed the powder for the precise weight.  Per the bushing chart I'm using 15.9 grains of Clays with the Claybuster 1075-12 wad and a 3/4 oz bushing of shot.  I switch back and forth between Winchester and Federal primers as the low pressure of the load I'm shooting allows that.   I use either AA or STS hulls.  Also the low pressure of the load permits switching cases.

Burns really clean in my 12 gauge o/u.  Don't know if it would cycle a semi.

And I don't know for what reason I selected Clays.  It would seem the slightly faster burning Titewad would be better suited for the light loads.  The load recipe is on the reverse of the labeling in the Claybuster wad bag.

Also the Clays I'm using is the older Australian powder and not the newer denser Canadian Clays.  The Canadian Clays would throw heavier in the bushing as it's denser.

This wad?  I’ve never tried it.  I’ll have to see if I can find some. 
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/131127/claybuster-shotshell-wads-12-gauge-cb0175-12-3-4-oz-bag-of-500

I’ve tried the CB0178-12 but I don’t care them; either for 3/4oz or 7/8oz loads.  They seem too heavy and don’t pattern well for me.  I do better with a CB1100-12 and a couple of cheerios in the load to take up some space.

Other than that my loads are pretty similar to yours.  I’ve used Clays but usually Clay Dot or Promo since I’m cheap.

My 3/4oz loads cycle fine in my Maxus but of course won’t cycle in my A-5s.

[Bill W]

I'm throwing with a bushing and haven't weighed the powder for the precise weight.  Per the bushing chart I'm using 15.9 grains of Clays with the Claybuster 1075-12 wad and a 3/4 oz bushing of shot.  I switch back and forth between Winchester and Federal primers as the low pressure of the load I'm shooting allows that.   I use either AA or STS hulls.  Also the low pressure of the load permits switching cases.

Burns really clean in my 12 gauge o/u.  Don't know if it would cycle a semi.

And I don't know for what reason I selected Clays.  It would seem the slightly faster burning Titewad would be better suited for the light loads.  The load recipe is on the reverse of the labeling in the Claybuster wad bag.

That's the wad I'm using.  Pretty reasonable on price also.


Also the Clays I'm using is the older Australian powder and not the newer denser Canadian Clays.  The Canadian Clays would throw heavier in the bushing as it's denser.

This wad?  I’ve never tried it.  I’ll have to see if I can find some. 
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/131127/claybuster-shotshell-wads-12-gauge-cb0175-12-3-4-oz-bag-of-500

I’ve tried the CB0178-12 but I don’t care them; either for 3/4oz or 7/8oz loads.  They seem too heavy and don’t pattern well for me.  I do better with a CB1100-12 and a couple of cheerios in the load to take up some space.

Other than that my loads are pretty similar to yours.  I’ve used Clays but usually Clay Dot or Promo since I’m cheap.

My 3/4oz loads cycle fine in my Maxus but of course won’t cycle in my A-5s.

[Bill W]

Switching primers and not checking your powder weights regardless of what the bushing chart says can be very dangerous.  Those are pretty low pressure loads like you said but with it being hot and dry the air is less dense and you might get some really light throws the will leave a wad stuck in the barrel

Henrydog, your comments are valid and well taken.  In my case I bought 3K of the 3/4 oz wads and am down to somewhere around 500 now.  Haven't had any issues, nor has my Hornady 366 press every had light throws.   I do have a MEC 650 that has issues with light throws and have to carry a cleaning rod with me when shooting some of the ammo loaded before I figured out how to fix the problem.  I had the brass washer installed upside down and the bar wouldn't cycle to the powder side all the way.

Before I load with the new jugs of powder I have I will weigh to confirm just what my powder charge is.  I have finally drank the Koolade and believe the bushing charges need to be weighed rather than taking the charts word for it.  There's too many horror stories out there.

[Henrydog]

No worries I load 700x for Handicap 1 1/8's and am right on the max for pressures, but I am always shocked at what the charts say and what the scale says.  Both light and heavy

[Bill W]

Finished up about half an hour ago.  19 boxes of shells and another box/bag of ones with boogered crimps.   I sure wish I knew how a once fired case could have some structural issue that doesn't let it follow its crimp lines.  Says I loaded 23.4 lbs of shot.