JDW, your load should duplicate the old loads just fine on the pattern board. The only difference is that we have found over the years that 1300 plus velocities don't do the pattern any good and don't decrease the air time to the target much either. However, they do shake up the gun and increase the recoil quite a bit. With big shot, I am content with 1200 to 1225 fps, which patterns better than the fast loads and gets to the target at about the same time as faster loads. The reason that the load you mentioned has such a friendly pressure figure is that it is not a particularly well balanced load as far as powder selection is concerned. This load would be better if Herco were used to raise the pressure to the 8000 plus level and make a better cold weather load. Blue Dot is just a bit slow for the load you post. If you are going to hunt ducks in the winter and store your shells in the trunk of your car, you should avoid loads with 7000 range pressure figures.
