need 12ga BP loads

M

matt bradley

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Hi guys I looking for some 12ga bp loads, I have info from the hodgdons manual for triple 7and pyrodex using waa12r wads and 70gr of either pyrodex or triple 7 and 1 1/8oz shot but I have 2 cans of real BP and wanted to know if I could use it instead? anyhelp will be useful....p.s this is for cas shooting.
Thanks Matt
 
Do not use the plastic wad data from Hogdons for real Black powder loads, get or make, 12 gauge felt wads(any thickness) and 12 gauge card wads, I can supply both. Prime cases(any cases), drop in 80-85grs of REAL Black powder(you can use volumetric(scoop), then a card wad, now is where a bit of experimenting is necessary, put in enough felt wads to make up the proper height after you have dropped in 1 1/8 oz of shot(Scoop), leaving 1/4" at top of case for crimping. For the real old timey look, buy a roll crimp tool that works on your drill or drill press for crimping. For easier cleanup afterwards...soak some of the felt wads in melted BP Lube. Plastic wads will mess your barrel up badly as BP starts to melt the wads upon ignition...pm me for any more details if required. These same inst. will work for pyrodex or Triple seven, but I prefer the real black powder.
 
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The important thing is getting the load column the right length so that you get a bit of compression and a nice crimp. I've seen people use between 60 and 100 grains (prefer around 80gr myself).

There can be a benefit to lower charges depending on your choke and how it patterns. My favourite shotgun load right now uses 2 1/2" all brass shells and I won the last match I was at using 80gr of 2F, a heavy card then a fibre wad, enough shot to leave about 1/8" of shell (don't have a shot measure yet) and then a light card held in with a bit of bullet lube.

There is something very satisfying about using the brass shells. Got to get me a 12 ga. round ball mold now.

As Ben said - stay away from plastic wads!!! Huge mess to clean up after.
 
I have used the plastic wads and found a good scubbing with soap and water worked well for cleaning.
I do use the fibre wads for a muzzleleoader though as it would be a real pain trying to get the long strings of plastic out. With a break action I never found it a problem for 12 or so rounds at a time. I once went for a full 25 shot round of trap using plastic in an old Cooey.
 
In my experience with BP shotshells, the cleanup is easiest when one uses felt wads that have been soaked in Bp lube. The fouling remains moist in the barrel and will come out on a patch. Without this, the fouling is dry and very hard to get out esp. without soap and hot water, I seldom have access to hot water when I shoot. I also use paper or plastic hulls instead of my brass cases, when I'm done shooting, I just pitch out the empties and don't have to worry about the process of cleaning the brass cases.
 
As well as the 12 ga I have used a 20 ga for black powder. I see little difference in ability to break clays or kill birds with bp loads.
I have a 12 ga. Pedersoli double muzzle loader and it is also good for clays and birds.
Years ago a friend helped me convert an old Cooey to MZ by making a steel insert similar to a cartridge that fit in the barrel and was held in place by a couple of set screws. The idea comes from tghe old H&R which used a similar set up. It held a nipple for a percussion cap but ignition was not a certain thing as the original firing pin would sometimes only dent the cap which unlike a shot shell primer has no anvil. I never did get around to making a flat headed firing pin as I bought the Pedersoli from a friend.
 
2 Paws Trading (home based business) has lubed felt cushion wads, which works well with 75 gr of FFg.He's in Nanaimo and his # is 250-722-2474.
 
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