12ga Subsonic Loads - Birdshot/Buckshot/Slug

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Disclaimer: This data is provided solely for reference purposes and has not undergone official pressure testing. I assume no liability for the safety of this data and recommend using it at your own discretion.

All data herein has been derived from published load data.


For several years, I have been experimenting with subsonic 12 gauge loads in an effort to minimize recoil and noise compared to commercially available shells. Although subsonic, these loads are not considered hearing safe, but they exhibit significantly reduced muzzle blast and noise.


Birdshot Data

Hull: Rem Gun Club
Primer: WIN209 or Cheddite 209
Wad: WAA12L or WAA12SL
Charge/Powder: 12gr Clays
Payload: 1 oz lead birdshot
Velocity: 1020FPS

Hull: Rem Gun Club
Primer: WIN209 or CCI209M or Cheddite 209
Wad: WAA12
Charge/Powder: 12gr Clays
Payload: 1-1/8 oz lead birdshot
Velocity: 980FPS

Hull: Rem Gun Club
Primer: WIN209 or Cheddite 209
Wad: WAA12F114
Charge/Powder: 13gr Clays
Payload: 1-1/4 oz lead birdshot
Velocity: 970FPS

Hull: Rem Gun Club
Primer: WIN209 or Cheddite 209
Wad: WAA12
Charge/Powder: 14gr Titewad
Payload: 1-1/8 oz lead birdshot
Velocity: 980FPS

Hull: Cheddite or Rio
Primer: Cheddite 209 or CCI209M
Wad: Fed 12S0
Charge/Powder: 13.5gr Titewad
Payload: 1 oz lead birdshot
Velocity: 1000FPS

Hull: Cheddite or Rio
Primer: Cheddite 209 or CCI209M
Wad: Fed 12S3
Charge/Powder: 14gr Titewad
Payload: 1-1/8 oz lead birdshot
Velocity: 1010FPS


Buckshot Data

Hull: Rem Gun Club
Primer: Cheddite 209 or CCI209M
Wad: WAA12 + overshot card
Charge/Powder: 14gr Titewad
Payload: 6 pellets 00 Buck
Velocity: 1020FPS

Hull: Cheddite or Rio
Primer: Cheddite 209 or CCI209M
Wad: Fed 12S3
Charge/Powder: 14gr Titewad
Payload: 6 pellets 00 Buck
Velocity: 1050FPS



Slug Data

Hull: Cheddite or Rio
Primer: Cheddite 209 or CCI209M
Wad: Fed 12S0
Charge/Powder: 14gr Titewad
Payload: Lee 7/8oz slug
Velocity: 1020FPS


When possible, use a hotter primer like the CCI209M or Cheddite 209 for reliable ignition.
 
why are you listing unproven loads then putting up a disclaimer if you use them that's up to you
risking other people injury or damage to property is of know interest to others
unless you send the loads to a lab for proper testing which i don't believe we have in canada
then there is a huge risk factor
 
struff55 said:
why are you listing unproven loads then putting up a disclaimer if you use them that's up to you
risking other people injury or damage to property is of know interest to others
unless you send the loads to a lab for proper testing which i don't believe we have in canada
then there is a huge risk factor
Click to expand...
what do you think the most likely way for this to be dangerous is?
 
struff55 said:
why are you listing unproven loads then putting up a disclaimer if you use them that's up to you
risking other people injury or damage to property is of know interest to others
unless you send the loads to a lab for proper testing which i don't believe we have in canada
then there is a huge risk factor
Click to expand...

Disclaimers are standard practice when providing load data to others. If it means anything, I've personally fired hundreds of each load through a variety of shotguns, including older Damascus barreled shotguns.

All of the load data listed was derived from published data operating at less than 7500PSI, SAAMI max for a 12ga is 11500PSI.

At these pressure levels, there is no combination of swapping wads, primers or hulls that could ever cause these loads to overpressure. I've studied and cross-referenced thousands of published loads over the 15 years I've been reloading shotshells so I'm well acquainted with the effects of substituting components.

All of the powders listed have published applications for full power 12ga, I'm using a reduced change (60-70% of a full power charge) to achieve subsonic velocities.

Hopefully this addresses your concerns.
 
Thank you for this.

I have made black powder "square" loads for my single shot/double barreled shotguns for quietly shooting grouse while bear/deer/moose hunting. I started based on historical data and decreased the black powder charge until the noise level was "acceptable" to me, and still penetrated a pop can (i did not measure any velocity but I figured that should be sufficient to shoot a grouse).

Having a smokeless load would be very beneficial.

I will take full responsibility for my loads and at a minimum I appreciate these as "starting points for research".

YMMV
 
Theirs proven subsonic data for 1 1/8oz loads on Hodgdon using powders that are available. A slug of appropriate weight could be substituted(.690 round ball) or 9 00 pellets.
 
I use Titewad quite a bit for light loads in 12 g - 1 oz and 7/8 oz. As most reloaders know, smokeless powder requires adequate combustion pressure to burn effectively. Even using hot primers, I'm getting signs of incomplete combustion at ~ 17 gr of powder. It causes me to wonder how effective 14 gr of Titewad would be, especially with 1 oz payloads?
 
Theirs published loads of data with perfect pattern for 1 1/8oz loads at 980fps. 1 1/8oz could be used for shot it’s also what about 9 pellets of 00 buck weight or a .690 round ball.

Theirs also published data for WAAlite at the same I’m guessing that perfect pattern is the same powder or a close enough replacement.

Even at 980fps a .690 ball would be a formidable things.
 
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Nobody would ever call subsonic shotshell loads "quiet".
The only benefit that I can see is reduced recoil due to low velocity.
 
cosmic said:
I use Titewad quite a bit for light loads in 12 g - 1 oz and 7/8 oz. As most reloaders know, smokeless powder requires adequate combustion pressure to burn effectively. Even using hot primers, I'm getting signs of incomplete combustion at ~ 17 gr of powder. It causes me to wonder how effective 14 gr of Titewad would be, especially with 1 oz payloads?
Click to expand...

I've found that flattened ball powders such as titewad never burn perfectly clean even at full pressure loads. With these reduced loads, I've not observed substantially more unburnt powder to indicate incomplete combustion but YMMV.

I personally use the Rem Gun club hulls for all my subsonic stuff since a tapered hull tends to increase pressure and thus ignition reliability.

saskbooknut said:
Nobody would ever call subsonic shotshell loads "quiet".
The only benefit that I can see is reduced recoil due to low velocity.
Click to expand...

Subsonic shells are not hearing safe (without Ear pro) but you'd be surprised how much quieter they are at distance (~100 yards).
 
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