20 ga. reloading formula

[LondonDave]

I'm just getting into reloading. I've just bought a used MEC 600 JR. that has a 7/8 oz charge bar. I don't know what bushings it will be coming with. I have a bunch of Winchester AA hulls to reload. I also have a digital scale on order for verifying charge weights.

What I'm looking for is a tried and true formula (powder, wad, bushing) to reload for backyard clay shooting and shooting pigeons for dog training. For now I'm just going to load 7 1/2 shot.

Once I get proficient I'm going to get a universal charge bar and start loading some hunting loads.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[beretta boy]

mecloaders.com will provide you with a bushing/powder table.

hodgdon.com has a ton of shotshell reloading data available for
3 different powder manufacturers.

For years I loaded 1000's of nothing but 7/8oz. 20 ga. target loads in 7-1/2, 8 & 9 lead shot with 16.0 grains (No. 15 MEC bushing ... supposedly "15.8 gr.") of Winchester Super Field (WSF)Powder in AA cases. Win 209 primers, and either WAA20 or the equivalent Claybuster wad clone, the CB1078-20. I also found about 60 lbs. wad pressure to be beneficial with this load.

Some prefer Unique, others Green Dot. Bushing required depends on the powder you choose. Firstly, make sure your powder is a powder actually suited to 20 gauge target loads ( 7/8 oz. @ +/- 1200 fps) Secondly, look your recipe up and follow it on a reliable web site or in the powder manufacturers data tables. Thirdly verify what your bushing is actually throwing ... for example, my No. 15 bushing actaully threw 16.0 grains, not the 15.8 as published.

A powder baffle will help ensure powder charges remain reasonably consistant. Keep your powder bottle at least 1/3 full at all times, and check your actuall charge weights after loading about 5 shells. The first few loads will inevitavbly be thrown a little "light".
The natural vibration of the press through 4 or 5 shell loading cycles will settle things
down so you get consistant readings. Don't "guess" be sure.

Those same target loads are very good grouse & woodcock loads too !

 

[LondonDave]

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I've looked at the MEC and Hodgdon sites and I've learned a lot from there already.

You've given me exactly what I'm looking for with your 20 ga recipe....Thanks.

One other question....

How much difference will it make if I use a different primer? I bought a block of CCI 209primers for a friend who was supposed to get back into loading but he can't find the time. I'm going to get the primers back off him. Will using the CCI primers vs. the Win primers make any difference?

Dave