Page 1 of 1

Shotshell Reloading Recipes

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 10:57 pm
by nsavaglio
I am just getting into reloading and was hoping some of you may have some favorite recipes. I am mainly just reloading for sporting clays, but I also thought I might reload some 3" steel for pheasant hunting too. Just a sidenote...I like speed (the faster the better)

Re: Shotshell Reloading Recipes

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 11:47 pm
by claybuster_aa
Favorite Skeet loads

*12 1 oz. Clays Fed. 209A Windjammer 16.8 9,200 PSI 1180

12 7/8 oz. Clays Rem. 209P WAA12L 16.8 6,800 PSI 1200

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20 7/8 oz. Universal Fed. 209A Windjammer 15.8 11,700 PSI 1200
20 7/8 oz. Universal Rem. 209P Rem. RXP20 15.8 9,800 PSI 1200


20 3/4 oz. Internat'l CCI 209M WAA20 12.7 11,500 PSI 1200 **
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

28 3/4 oz. Longshot CCI 209M Rem. PT28 14.2 9,200 PSI 1200
28 3/4 oz. Longshot Fed. 209A Rem. PT28 14.1 9,200 PSI 1200

* most often (CB Lightning WJ replacement)

**will not cycle in auto's

Re: Shotshell Reloading Recipes

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:54 am
by pear
Just out of curiosity, why do you like speed so well? I find speed usually is not what you might think in a shot shell…”pear”

Re: Shotshell Reloading Recipes

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 10:07 am
by Benny
pear wrote:Just out of curiosity, why do you like speed so well? I find speed usually is not what you might think in a shot shell…”pear”
I read a really good article in Pointers Journal about excessive speed shells in the market pushing the 1300 ftps mark. In upland bird such as pheasant, quail, and chukar I really can't imagine needing 1500 ftps.
Now, after saying that, I've run my own patterns for turkey and found that the 1500 ftps mag shok federal shells outperformed many of the 1200-1300 ftps shells. I'm not big into faux-accessory-technology, but I really think the flight-cup wad helped out. Anyhow, with turkey and sometimes grouse I really like having some speed behind me.
Shooting clays and quail, though? 1100 ftps is all I've ever needed.

Re: Shotshell Reloading Recipes

Posted: Sun Feb 01, 2009 12:10 pm
by Greg Jennings
1145 - 1200 is a standard American skeet/trap load. Some of the factor 3-dram eq loads are really quite a bit faster than 1200. I've chrono-ed some factory Federal Gold Medal at 1280. You're not talking about speed till you're over 1300.

I like to push 1oz loads that fast to keep them consistent. In my experience, if you're not cranking them, you'll experience a larger variance in velocity. Especially in cooler weather.

Re: Shotshell Reloading Recipes

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:04 am
by nsavaglio
pear wrote:Just out of curiosity, why do you like speed so well? I find speed usually is not what you might think in a shot shell…”pear”

I guess I am more interested in speed for the 3" steel. Not so much for the sporting clays loads. I have shot 1560fps Kents for the past few years & really like the extra speed. Personal preference I guess

Re: Shotshell Reloading Recipes

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 5:54 am
by pear
I find speed can be good in some cases, but in most cases I have found speed may mean poor patterns. One of the real advantages I have found with shot shell reloading is being able to adjust your loads to maximize pattern. In my experiance speed is a common factor in the pattern not being what I desire. ..."pear"

Re: Shotshell Reloading Recipes

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:22 am
by nsavaglio
pear wrote:I find speed can be good in some cases, but in most cases I have found speed may mean poor patterns. One of the real advantages I have found with shot shell reloading is being able to adjust your loads to maximize pattern. In my experiance speed is a common factor in the pattern not being what I desire. ..."pear"

So what do you recommend then????

Re: Shotshell Reloading Recipes

Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:05 pm
by Benny
pear wrote:I find speed can be good in some cases, but in most cases I have found speed may mean poor patterns. One of the real advantages I have found with shot shell reloading is being able to adjust your loads to maximize pattern. In my experiance speed is a common factor in the pattern not being what I desire. ..."pear"
In the case of led, absolutely. Speed often leads deformation of the led as it travels with high velocity through the choke. In the case of steel what causes the poor patterning?