Im wondering about wad pressure. Im using AA hulls orange claybuster wads and promo powder. Im loading 1 1/8 of #8 shot an using a 28 bushing witch gives me 1'145 fps. I am currently using between 45/50 pressure. just wondering if its to much.
Wad Pressure ?
- Thread starter shaner72
- Start date
Over the years wad pressure has become less and less of a concern amongst many seasoned reloaders.
The general belief now is that little more than simply seating the wad down onto the powder is required...simply enough to allow for your shot drop and a good crimp. When I started reloading some 30+ years ago....the general consensus back then was that approx 20-30-40 lbs of wad pressure was required. Usually around 30 pounds.
I'd say that your 45-50 pounds is way more than you need.
If you HAVE TO apply that kind of pressure in order to make enough room for your shot...and to facillitate a good crimp...there may be something else going on. Maybe you're using the wrong wad. I don't know. I'm not familiar with an orange Claybuster wad. Never seen one.
I presume...and it's purely a guess on my part....you're dropping somewhere around 18 grains of that Promo? If not...that's where you should be...somewhere around 17-18 grains. If you are...then that 45-50 pounds wad pressure shouldn't be necessary.
What kind of loader are you using? Presumably a Mec with that 28 bushing.
I've just started loading 7/8 oz and 1 oz 12 ga loads on a Mec Sizemaster.
My wad seating now results in just a tiny deflection of the wad pressure indicator so I know I've hit bottom.
I then adjusted the crimp depth and I'm now getting beautiful crimps....using Rem STS hulls.
And they break targets like a damn.
And by the way....for what it's worth....
My #28 bushing averaged out...after 10 drops....to 16.58 grains of Promo.
Good luck.
The general belief now is that little more than simply seating the wad down onto the powder is required...simply enough to allow for your shot drop and a good crimp. When I started reloading some 30+ years ago....the general consensus back then was that approx 20-30-40 lbs of wad pressure was required. Usually around 30 pounds.
I'd say that your 45-50 pounds is way more than you need.
If you HAVE TO apply that kind of pressure in order to make enough room for your shot...and to facillitate a good crimp...there may be something else going on. Maybe you're using the wrong wad. I don't know. I'm not familiar with an orange Claybuster wad. Never seen one.
I presume...and it's purely a guess on my part....you're dropping somewhere around 18 grains of that Promo? If not...that's where you should be...somewhere around 17-18 grains. If you are...then that 45-50 pounds wad pressure shouldn't be necessary.
What kind of loader are you using? Presumably a Mec with that 28 bushing.
I've just started loading 7/8 oz and 1 oz 12 ga loads on a Mec Sizemaster.
My wad seating now results in just a tiny deflection of the wad pressure indicator so I know I've hit bottom.
I then adjusted the crimp depth and I'm now getting beautiful crimps....using Rem STS hulls.
And they break targets like a damn.
And by the way....for what it's worth....
My #28 bushing averaged out...after 10 drops....to 16.58 grains of Promo.
Good luck.
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- Planet Earth Wearing My Tinfoil Hat
If the loading data calls for wad pressure then go with their recomendation but if it does not list it don't use it! Wad pressure can dramatically alter the pressures of a fired round causing damage to your firearm and or worse. Most loading data I have sen requiring wad pressures have been for fibre/card wads , not plastic shot cups. I once witnessed an 870 blown to shreds by improper reloading! Almost tore the guys arm right off, there was no telling him how to follow directions until he blew that gun up. He never returned again and sold all his firearms, pretty extreme measure. Guess he was too emabarrassed or scared to try again. Thankfully he did not hurt someone else on the line!
shaner....
I realize there can be differences but I'm a little surprised to hear we have that much of a spread in our powder drops using the same bushing.
I'm using a digital scale. Not saying it's any better or worse than what you're using.
I drop 12 drops...weigh 'em all....throw out the high and low...and average the remaining 10. I came out to my 16.58 gr average.
Surprised you're getting 17.5 - 18 with the same bushing. "shrug"
Just may check mine again next loading session to confirm once again what I'm getting.
I realize there can be differences but I'm a little surprised to hear we have that much of a spread in our powder drops using the same bushing.
I'm using a digital scale. Not saying it's any better or worse than what you're using.
I drop 12 drops...weigh 'em all....throw out the high and low...and average the remaining 10. I came out to my 16.58 gr average.
Surprised you're getting 17.5 - 18 with the same bushing. "shrug"
Just may check mine again next loading session to confirm once again what I'm getting.
beretta boy
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Orillia, Ontario
Over the years, using AA and Claybuster components, I've found 40 lbs. +/- wad pressure, together with height and crimp station adjustments to give a proper crimp, produced very consistant target loads from the MEC 600 Jr.s.. In 20 gauge, I've loaded a lot of 473 & WSF with 60 lbs. crimp pressure to get the same crimp I wanted. No problems and great crimps/loads.
Many advocate just enough pressure to firmly seat the wad. Others state that it's non-critical. My P-W press doesn't even have a wad pressure indicator. Strictly by feel, but I do ensure that the wads are seated firmly against the powder.
If you're getting good results with no obvious signs of pressure ... carry on !
Double check each batch of Promo against your bushing. It does vary a bit from container to container, depending on batch. I'd also suggest you might look at getting a 1 oz. bar ... One ounce target loads are entirely satisfactory and lead is expensive these days. You'll get almost two more boxes of shells out of a 25 lb. bag ... and a little less felt recoil to boot !
Many advocate just enough pressure to firmly seat the wad. Others state that it's non-critical. My P-W press doesn't even have a wad pressure indicator. Strictly by feel, but I do ensure that the wads are seated firmly against the powder.
If you're getting good results with no obvious signs of pressure ... carry on !
Double check each batch of Promo against your bushing. It does vary a bit from container to container, depending on batch. I'd also suggest you might look at getting a 1 oz. bar ... One ounce target loads are entirely satisfactory and lead is expensive these days. You'll get almost two more boxes of shells out of a 25 lb. bag ... and a little less felt recoil to boot !
All you need is enough pressure to properly seat the wad. I'm around 30lbs for both 12 and 28 gauge. Wad pressure isn't something I fuss about providing the shells are consistent and crimping properly. If I have off sounding shots I might change the pressure. I do not agree that wad pressure alone can lead to catastrophic damage to a firearm. Most modern loading data does not include wad pressure recommendations.
The variation among Promo powder isn't something I knew about but will keep it in mind. I've found Unique and American Select to both be very consistent from lot to lot. American Select is more expensive but it is my favourite for loading 12 gauge.
The variation among Promo powder isn't something I knew about but will keep it in mind. I've found Unique and American Select to both be very consistent from lot to lot. American Select is more expensive but it is my favourite for loading 12 gauge.
"Im using AA hulls orange claybuster wads and promo powder."
Having just started loading 7/8 oz loads for 12 ga last week....I had to lighten right up on the wad pressure or my crimp was getting too deep with a hole.
After decreasing the wad pressure....and then adjusting the loader a little....I ended up with great looking crimps on these STS hulls and shells that smash targets just fine.
This load is a keeper for sure.
Having just started loading 7/8 oz loads for 12 ga last week....I had to lighten right up on the wad pressure or my crimp was getting too deep with a hole.
After decreasing the wad pressure....and then adjusting the loader a little....I ended up with great looking crimps on these STS hulls and shells that smash targets just fine.
This load is a keeper for sure.
