doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Light loads for 20 ga?

Normally I shoot 3/4 oz in a light 12 ga SxS. Since my wife started shooting I found her a 20 ga O/U not too heavy and when I tried it recently, with factory ammo, I realized why after 50 clays she usually had had enough. So I am going to start loading 20 ga 3/4 oz loads and the formulas I have found so far are 14-15 grns of Green Dot or 17 grns of Unique in AA hulls and the Claybuster 3/4 oz wad. Any other suggestions before I go stock up on powder and wads?

https://www.shotgunworld.com/threads/the-20-gauge-3-4-oz-thread-of-justice.421067/
Lots of good info above. Gil

Recognize that placing a cheerio in the shotcup to get a good crimp increases the payload, even if it's not a pellet.

First off... you don't say what you are shooting. Trap? Skeet? Sporting clays? The next thing I noticed-- 50 Birds is a lot of targets to be shooting at. A lot of guys would be tired after 50 targets. So I would say she's doing pretty well in that area. Also, is she getting tired from recoil or is the gun just getting heavy for her?

The 3/4 oz load you reference is a good one. No complaints here.
They run about $7.00/bx all in. So when I can get Federal 100 packs for $32.50, my press sits, and I accumulate Federal hulls.
Green dot isn't super punchy, and a lighter load softens it even more.
5/8 oz in the 20 is a little more fiddlesome.
I think you can probably get her a long way shooting the 3/4 @ 1150fps.
Every new shooter experiences fatigue at first. Work with her on it. Rest, stay hydrated, use a tote for cartridges.

I am loading 3/4 oz in my 20 using 13.4 gr of green dot with cb 3/4 oz wad. Breaking 40 yd target pretty regular. Super soft shooting load. She will love them.

Are you serious? 50 targets are nothing for most of us. Just getting warmed up.
JR

It's hard for me to get my head around anyone, regardless gender, getting "taxed" from shooting 50 loads of 7/8 oz. shells. I'm absolutely not saying it can't happen, just hard for me to fathom. I've run through 1300 7/8 oz. loads a day for four straight days without a recoil problem, and I peg the scales at 170 lbs., when wet.

Good luck with the 3/4 oz. loads for your wife, Jeff. I'm sure she will appreciate them, and I know from experience what 3/4 oz. shot will do on clays and small game birds. I've proven it on many dove shoots with WW factory 3/4 oz. .410 loads and with my 3/4 oz. .410 reloads.

well first thanks for load tips. In our defense I would say we haven't gone to the step to get the gun really adjusted for her fit. I usually shoot 100 while she shoots 50 but she came along to a SxS shoot and it called for 100 clays. By 75 she was losing interest, I think from not good (consistent) gun mount, hot day and poor gun fit. She has a health issue which is worse in the heat, so it was a combination of factors.

Fatigue is real. The activity is supposed to be fun, not punishment.
She might like to start with a round of skeet or 5 stand, just to limit the gun carrying and recoil. Much less strenuous than walking a course carrying a gun and cartridges.
I have found that it takes a while to build up the strength and endurance to shoot all afternoon.
3/4oz loads will really help.
If her shoulder pocket is getting warm, or sore, she's not really ready for greater volume. It takes a while to strengthen/toughen up that area.
No need to make yourself sore right away if the activity could potentially go on for years Ease into it. Her muscles will adapt.