My new 7/8oz 12ga loads work great

TReX300

TReX300

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Essex, Ontario
We are getting low on reloading supllies so in an attempt to strech things I went and loaded up a couple hundered 7/8oz 12ga loads for trap shooting this weekend. I think I might have found a new 16yrd load. 8) My 3200 is choked pretty tight but these little loads just ground the targets up into little dust balls just aswell as our normal 1oz loads and 1 1/8oz loads. I shot a 94 /100 with them at 16yrds which isn't awsome or anything but considering there was 40km winds I think the loads deserve some more looking into. I'd like to see what they can do on a calmer day.
My son shot them in a couple of meat shoots today aswell and really like them. He shot a clean round of wobble at 20yrds with them and then a 20/25 off the club porch (35yrds). That earned him a couple of Thanksgiving hams. He was really impressed with the loads aswell and wants to try them for his 16yrd and 21yrd handicap load. So if anybody is looking to save a little $$ and would be into trying a different load dont be afraid to go with some 7/8oz loads.
The load we are using is

Remington STS, Nitro or Gun Club hull
17.9 grains of Promo (or Red Dot)
Claybuster CB 4100-12-B wad (Lighting)
Win 209 primer
7/8oz of Rem STS #8 shot
1225fps at 7200psi

This load has really low recoil but had no problems cycling the action of his Beretta 391.

Tim
 
...congratulations!....you have become a new convert to the International Skeet/Trap 24 gram target load! You can also increase the velocity a liitle more to about 1,330 fps and see a little reduction in target lead.
 
Actually Steve when I first gave the 7/8oz loads a try about 2 yrs ago it was using some International 24gm data. Velocity was up in the 1345fps range. At the time I was looking more for something with light recoil for my son and found that they kicked just as much as a light 1 1/8oz load so I didnt really get into playing around with them much. The load we have now is in the same velocity range (1220-1235fps) as what we've always shot so it didnt take much of an adjustment. I may play around with some of the International stuff again now that I've found a bit more data on them and know that 7/8oz can do the job. At 1225fps though I've got no complaints with them for regular targets.

Tim
 
I have a very similar load with AA hulls and American Select. It's what I use when I am practicing with my light sxs and it crushes the targets very well when I do my part.

When you start upping the velocity to International levels lead quality starts to make a real difference. If the lead isn't hard patterns can start to blow once 24 gram loads start nearing the 1400fps mark. I'd rather back off my velocity to ensure consistent patterns in addition to the softer recoil.
 
....excellent point, Claybuster! You are absolutely correct, shot quality does make a huge difference! Other variables to consider are the plastic wad, and seating pressure. The Italian maker, Gualandi, has a huge assortment (wads) to choose from and I have found these to increase load performance remarkably....
 
I always run top quality shot , normally Rem STS, in all my loads. I just cant see paying all the money we do on guns and shooting fees and then cheap out $2-$3 a bag and get cheap shot.
Where are you getting the Gualandi wads? I've not been able to find them in Canada and getting them for the US is a real pain the ass. No one in Michingan close to me stock them so it's mail order only.

Tim
 
Shot my share of Paper Federal International 24gram loads to be a complete convert. Expensive, but what a great shell !

Hard to duplicate in a paper reload, but with Double AA's, Red Dot (or Promo .. which I like ) and Claybuster "Lightnings", you can assemble a good 7/8 oz. load.
20.0 gr.will give you +/- 1350 fps. Slow it down to 1250fps with 17.5 gr. or even to 1200 fps with 16.5 gr. ( See Alliant Powder Guide) and you have a very comfortable light load. You can save a little on powder and on the amount of shot used, but I'm with the crowd ... don't skimp on quality. Can't beat nice hard round premium shot !!! Used to be able to get some great stuff "Superior" out of Edmonton, and Lawrence brand is generally top quality. The best local stuff is acceptable, but shows a fair amount of variation in roundness, and under/over size. When compared to first quality shot, it is quite noticeable. You gets what you pays for !!!
 
Remington STS shot is pretty much unheard of in these parts. I have a good supply of West Coast and Lawrence left over from past trips to the Grand and have no complaints with it. You always get some very strange looks showing up at the border with 500 lbs. of lead shot in your car.:wink:
 
The only decent shot I've been able to find in Ontario is Lawrence. They are also one of the companies that make #8 1/2 shot which works great in 7/8oz loads at 16yrds. All my Rem. STS shot I buy in Michigan. They make #8 1/2 aswell but it can be hard to find at times. Im' due to make a another trip over there soon becuase like I stated in the first post I'm running really low on supplies. I usually load Promo but I can get Clays right now for $95 /8lbs (USD) so I might give that a try.

Tim
 
....well TR, there are really only about two suppliers for Gualandi wads on the North American continent....Graf & Sons is one that comes to mind, the other is Precision Reloading........
 
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