12 gauge subsonic

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Jessegreenwood

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So, I have found a recipe for a quiet subsonic load for 12 guage, under the same logic of cat sneeze loads,
It uses clays, and says red dot would be about equal.
I don’t have any of those.
Also it has waa12 wads, I don’t have those.
Here is the thing, I have waa12f114, and I have trail boss, and the same recipie comes out to fill a Winchester aa shell pretty much right, and from what I have read on 45lc loads, if anything trail boss in the same load under the same weight, the pressure comes in less.
Befor I go shooting my shotgun with a string to the trigger, is this an acceptable substitution?

FYI I am looking at 1 1/4 lead shot over 12 grains, which I can’t see as a problem, and can’t see how a tight load like this can creat a pressure spike, but i am pretty new to all this.


Thank you.
 
Here is the recipy I found and am using as a starting point.
This was posted by aussieblackduck on shotgun world June 2008.
“ 12 Gauge
Case: Wichester AA compression formed (Should be the same in the new Winchester case)
Primer: Win209 or Fiocchi 616
Wad: WAA12 (1-1/8th wad)
Powder: ADI AS30N/Hodgdons Clays
Shot: 1-1/4oz Lead Shot

11 grains = 851 fps @ 5970 psi
12 grains = 910 fps @ 6915 psi
13 grains = 944 fps @ 8610 psi
14 grains = 985 fps @ 9840 psi “

Looking at 45 colt, pressure from clays is greater than trail boss, and the velocity the same, which is why I am thinking of it as a substitution in the recipy.
 
To my knowledge, no reliable reloading source recommends Trail Boss for shotgun loads. Have you tried looking up published shotgun reloading data? The Hodgdon Reloading site, would be a good place to start. It may lead to a better conclusion.
Clays is a better choice for lsub-sonic loads.
 
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Many, many 12 ga. shotgun loads are published and easily available that produce a velocity of 1050-1200 fps. If my understanding is correct, the speed of sound is generally at about 1250 fps. I don't understand the fascination with a 'subsonic" load?? And with so many better options available I would not substitute unproven components to put together a load that may or may not be safe and achieve the desired velocity. And a "cat sneeze' load is unrealistic in a 12 ga. anyway. The bore size is too big to make an appreciable difference in the loudness report. Unless you also use a suppressor and/or an extremely long barrel.
 
Shotgun loading is not like loading for rifle or handgun. The allowable pressures for shotgun are much lower and the range of useful pressures much smaller - think of how thin a shotgun barrel is compared to a rifle or pistol. Shotgun loads must be used exactly as tested and published, no working up of loads, no scaling down, no substitutions whatsoever. As noted, the speed of sound is close to 1100 feet per second, go to a reliable source like the hours Hodgdon or Lyman loading manual and find the loads that meet your velocity criteria. Then you need to find the ones within this velocity group ( if any) that use EXACTLY your preferred combination of components. If you can’t find what you want using your components and you’re starting with specific used empty hulls you will need to purchase one or more other components that will allow your matching load. Sometimes you just can’t get there from here, you need to take a different road.
I don’t know what your reasoning or goal is wanting a sub sonic load but if a quiet load is your goal you are doomed to disappointment in a 12 gauge. If you are going for recoil reduction you want reduced velocity or reduced weight of payload, preferably both. If you only want a box or two there are commercial loads that may meet your goals. Research them. And if this plan is for loading slugs, there are specific loads for slugs. Keep your fingers, play safe.
 
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