[quote=Shotgunjones] "To illustrate further:

My Damascus load is 12.9 grains of AA Lite behind 7/8 oz.

I bought the last two cans from Gamaliel when that excellent powder was a victim of the Hodgdon monopoly.

This takes a #19 MEC bushing to throw. This is a reduced charge of a dense powder.

A double charge would easily fit in a STS case, and the loader may well not notice it.


18 grains of this stuff is right up to SAAMI maximum using 1 1/8 oz of shot.

Can you imagine 26 grains?

That's up in the 'Bellosphere' as far as pressure, and could have the exact same observed result.

It happens. We're just people."



An excellent reason to use bulkier powders when loading low pressure loads. For years I have used around 19 grains of PB in either WW AA CF cases or Remington STS cases & WW SL wad in loading 7/8 oz 12 ga.
loads @ around 6000 PSI. You can't double charge it & crimp it.

I've still got a few years of PB left & will miss it when it's used up.