doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Favorite 7/8s 12g load

I just went on the Alliant site and they are promoting a new powder called E3, which is exactly the same burning speed as Red Dot. Hmmm. They publish a low pressure 7/8 load with my components (Grey WW wad, WW 209 primers, AA CF empty) using 17.6 grains of their American Select powder giving 6200 PSI. Knocking the charge down a half grain should give us about 1150 and less than 6000 PSI, what we are looking for. I hate to add another powder to my collection, but a keg of American Select won't be a big complication. That should be a great Damascus load for those of us who have always used Alliant powders. It sounds like Red Dot will be replaced by the E3 since the burning rate is identical. In the meantime, I will continue to load my 15.2 grains of Red Dot that I estimate at just under 7000 PSI with the AA grey wad, WW 209, and AA CF hulls. It is a real softie.

I don't think Accurate Nitro 100 is all that exotic or "boutique". I load JL's load but in a Federal SO; maybe some puffed rice on top of the shot for a nice crimp.

jack

Jack, I didn't describe anyone's components as "boutique" or "exotic", but as long as you mentioned it, what do you think my terminology refers to? And why would you imagine I make a feeble attempt to avoid what I consider "boutique" components? Murphy

WIN AA hull, 16.4 CLAYS, Nothing But Dust Green wad, win209.

I'd guess the prospect of long-term availability for "boutique" components isn't very good? Exotic would be the word I put in the mouth of your word boutique.

jack

I use Remington STS hulls, Remington STS 209 Premier primers, 16.9 grains of Hodgdon Clays powder, and Clay Busters 4100 wad for my 7/8 ounce loads in 12 gauge. The estimated PSI is 5,800.

At times I've used WAA12L wads with 18 grains of Hodgdon Clays, but they're a pain to reload and catch on the plastic rim of the hull.

Hmmm, I haven't tried a 7/8 oz 12g load yet. My 12g PW is set up for 1 oz and has been for a couple decades. Like Tim, I've just been shooting 1oz in my damascus guns. But, I've given thought to having 2 low press loads, a 1 1/8 oz and a 7/8 oz. Buuuuuuuuuuuuuut, having just one load and changing shot size for the game is clean and simple. I'll have to think about it some more.

You're right, Jack. If I dream up a load, or find one in a manual, I want to be able to get the components forty years from now. That has worked until now but it looks like some of our favorite stuff is becoming obsolete. I can't get used to this 21st century business! I started using Red Dot about 1959, never switched my 12 gauge target load powder. Now I guess I'll be buying E3.

Years ago I reloaded thousands of rounds of 7/8 oz. loads when the International Trap (Bunker) rules specified that charge weight as the upper-bound limit on shot volume. My best recipe was Win AA case; W 209 primer, 18.7 grains of 700X under the Federal 7/8 oz. wad (I think it was the SO 3) and 7/8 oz. of high-antimony ("magnum") shot. It is a great load; high velocity with realtively low recoil and I think the pressure is somewhere up in the 9800 psi. range. Probably way too stout for Damascus guns but a real target crusher in a fluid steel gun. KBM

Ortolan's load is a wonderful "non boutique" load for modern guns. His mention of the SO Federal wad reminds me of another point. This excellent wad is superior to any other "big three" wad for 7/8 ounce loads because its constuction eliminates the tipped wad problem that sometimes haunts us with less well constructed wads. You just can't "tip" a Federal SO wad in any loader that I am aware of.