Crow Busters Forum

SHANEDOG · Guru

Reloading for my new Crow and Pigeon shooter

LeviSS · Veteran Member

I just started for 12 guage, so I can't give much advice. The Lyman manual is pretty good. If you want me to look anything up, just let me know.

For the first time, I have the highest post count in a forum. 3 posts. biggrin

-- Edited by LeviSS on Thursday 17th of June 2010 02:29:25 AM

-- Edited by LeviSS on Thursday 17th of June 2010 02:34:13 AM

SHANEDOG · Guru

Thanks Levi!! smile

I really need input from the 20 gauge crowd,to see what they are using,I want a very clean burning powder that preforms well in 100 degree or 0 degree weather. I am not that concerned about velocity,to be honest I tend to load a tad on the light side to save shot and powder. smile

Pat B · Senior Member

Shanedog,
I reload 12 gauge....but you will find that with mid to higher end pressures that most powders burn clean. When you get to lower pressures even a good powder will burn dirty....

fyi

Pat B

SHANEDOG · Guru

I hear you Pat,that is why I chose the INTERNATIONAL it uses 14 grains to get a chamber pressure of 11,500. The UNIVERSAL uses 15.9 grains and gets 10,900.
I am going to give the INTERNATIONAL a try.
I am hoping Gadget Bob will chime in,I think he reloads for 20 gauge,and see what he is using. smile

Sniper John · Veteran Member

Pat B wrote:

Shanedog,
I reload 12 gauge....but you will find that with mid to higher end pressures that most powders burn clean. When you get to lower pressures even a good powder will burn dirty....

fyi

Pat B

I did not know or realize that Pat, but it makes sense. I just recently got set up for reloading 12GA so thanks for the info too.

Bob · Guru

Shanedog,

Try and stay with the slower burning powders and you will have less chamber pressure. That way you're hulls will last a lot longer! I always reloaded the 7/8th ounce load in the 20 gauge. They don't make it anymore but the Dupont powder 7625 was outstanding in the 20 gauge. The clays and International powders by Hodgen are quite good as well.

Bob A.

Pat B · Senior Member

Hi guys
Just to give you some reference (and some reference to my comment). The top end of pressure for a 12ga is 11,500 psi. A 20 I believe is higher, and a 12ga 3 1/2 chamber can also take a higher pressure.. I load at around 9,000 to 10,000. This gives me some leeway, if i change primers, which I do not advocate, or change wads, again I do not advocate without a proper recipe. I have seen some targets loads go as low a 6,000 psi. Bob is correct, the lower pressures will increase case life, the higher pressures are hard on cases. Again as reference, I use International Clays, load pressure is 9,200 psi, and I push a 1 oz load of lead at 1235 fps.

until next time,
Pat

If you can't fix it with a hammer, try duct tape.

Gadget Bob · Guru

Hi Shane,

I have loaded a fair amount of 20 guage, but all were target loads with Green Dot. It worked well. I need to load up some hunting loads one of these days from my Franchi.

Regards,

BigBlackBirds · Senior Member

I still load a few cases of 20 gauge a year. As Bob said, think slow powders that you might use for field loads in the 12gauge. Over the years, 7625 and 4756 have been awful good to me. But as of the last couple of years I have switched my 20 gauge powders. About the very best 20 gauge powder these days is 20/28 from Alliant. 7/8oz in 1200-1250fps range will come in around 10,000psi . lots of loads to pick from.

My next choice is Longshot, 7/8oz at 1250-1300 fps between 10,000- 11,500

SHANEDOG · Guru

Thats the kind of info I need, thanks guys,I will keep you posted. smile

dogknott · Member

When I shot 20ga on crows, I used my target loads with 800x.
Now I use Universal for target loads, may have to try the 20ga again.

M12Shooter · Guru

Not a big saving these days if your loading 12 or 20 gauge ammo, hardly worth the time IMO. If one shoots a 16, 28 or 410 reloading is must. I used to load 16 gauge 1 oz. loads with #8 1/2 magnum shot in Winchester compression formed hulls. Used to crush crows with this combination. Winchester discontinued making 16 compression formed hulls years back and all the rest are junk as well. Still, if one enjoys "rolling" his own and gets dreat pleasure out of dumping crows with home taylor made loads then more power to ya!

Ted

Nysprintfan · Member

I use the international clays when reloading feild loads for my 20 ga.

wingmaster · Senior Member

I have use 10,ooo puresser a lot and it well help on shell. Than if u use lower psi look for the best patteren what ever u reload biggrin

jd1983 · Senior Member

M12 is right unless you buy in major bulk you can save but when wallyword had 20 sumthing a hundred I figured it out buying ever item by the smallest amoutnt 100 primers 1 lb powder bag of wads hulls I did not figure cause I had em shot by25 lbs.

I could reload for a whopping savings of 1 cent per shell!!!!!!!!
I still reload it's fun in the winter or when it's hotter than Hattie in the summer the basement is nice.
I n a couple of hours I can have enough shells for a year.

SHANEDOG · Guru

Well I setteled on the International Clays,14 grains,burns nice and clean and the shells are holding up nice. biggrin

jd1983 · Senior Member

Yeah green dot was dirty for me. I loaded sum in 12 ga and shot some skeet with them after a few shots flames would spew out the reciever when it cycled and when I asked they said green dot that doesent burn 100% or any powder will do that. That was enough of a fire show for me.

SHANEDOG · Guru

I used Green Dot back thirty years ago,I also used to use only IMR for rifles. I am now a big fan of the Hodgen family of propellants. biggrin
JD, for 12 gage rounds for skeet and crows,try the Hodgen "Clays"you will not be sorry,I buy my componets in bulk,me and some of my buddies will split an 8lb. bottle,and we buy a crap load of primers and wads when we order. smile

http://www.recobstargetshop.com/

jd1983 · Senior Member

that's the best way to do it.
I got my self a set of shot drippers have not got them going but after playing with them a few times I got out of round shot good enough to bust crows with. The drippers are #8 but I got shot from 6-8 but some was out of round. Wheel weights were 20 cents a pound so I picked up a hundred pounds. Need to get more tho.