Working up a Shotgun Load?

hansol

hansol

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Hey guys,

Just wondering if any of the shotgunners here can give me a few tips about working up a shotgun load, and what to look for regarding pressure signs. I have a new load I've developed, but want to "make it faster" so to speak, but want to do this within proper and safe parameters.

I've worked up loads with rifles before, so know what to look for, but never done it with shotguns before. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers.
 
not the same

shotgun shells don't show the pressure signs you see in rifle cartridges. The first sign is often the big bang. Check thru your manuals for recipes which give the velocities you want, instead.
 
I personally wouldn't "work up" a shotgun load, I'd go with one of the published recipes. Even changing the wad or the hull can change your load from safe pressures to skyrocketing!! :runaway:
 
Been there, done that. When you are making a whole "new" load with a spattering of old data/theory/conjecture, about all you have to go on is the "1oz. shot data is safe with 1oz slug" idea.

So in this case, I have a minimum and max loads for a shot load, but nothing for a slug load. Slugs produce less pressure, so as such wanted to work it up.

Although if it can't be done, it can't be done...
 
You can do it, if you have a strain gauge, but otherwise, I'd use the published data. If you're using a common combination, there's what you want somewhere, but if you like uncommon gauges, it can be difficult.

How fast are you looking to push? The faster loads I've seen are all about 1350 fps.

I haven't ever seen anyone actually burst a shotgun barrel at the breech, but I've seen a few busted at the choke end. The 12 ga fh thread should give you an idea of just how fast you can push, given the right gun and barrel.

If you do wanna work up a very potent load, I'd suggest using a bolt action shotgun made for turkeys like a savage, and a vise, and a long string.
 
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Well right now, in theory, I'm sitting at around 1200fps. I can't say for sure, because my slug weight is 1 1/3oz, and I used data for a 1 3/8oz shot load. So mine is a little lighter, so again, in theory, pressures should be lower. Right now I'm using 34 grains Blue Dot to achieve this.

I'd like to hit close to 1400fps, but I don't know if it's possible. I've seen a published slug recipe for a 1oz slug with 49 grains blue dot @ over 1500fps, so apparently using 49gr Blue Dot is not unreasonable.

Anyway it's all theory, so would like to find a way to test 'er out, if that's possible.
 
You don't have a chronograph? You are guessing at velocity?

Did you try looking at a LEE shotgun loading manual? They have 1oz and 1.25oz slug loads in it, IIRC.
 
no, no chronograph, just guesses based on load data. The load i'm checking against is a 1 3/8oz birdshot load at 1240fps, that uses all the same components as my test slug load.

But seeing as my slug is a few grains lighter than a true 1 3/8oz slug, I don't know what its actual velocity is.
 
Dude, get some proper data...

SHotshell reloading isn't something to screw around with...SHotguns are pretty weak compared to rifles or revolvers...
 
So to sum up, you have developed a slug load using data from a birdshot load of a different weight, have no idea what the velocity is, want to "make it go faster", don't have a chonograph much less a strain gauge and come here asking what pressure signs to look for.

The pressure sign to look for is pieces of your shotgun scattered all over the range. That is if you can still see.

Don't screw around with "in theory," go with proven data.
 
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Yes, to sum up, I've made a slug load using the data from a heavier weight shot load.

I used a lighter powder charge, and a lighter-weight slug. So common sense would dictate such a load would produce less pressure. Less powder + Less weight = lower pressures. How this lower pressure will affect velocity, I don't know.
 
I haven't seen a new Lyman Shotgun manual but I have an older one that covers pretty much ANY combination you'll ever come up with. Also, it's not necessarilly wise to strive for the maximum factory velocity. They frequently use powders that are not available to handloaders.
 
Okay, to clarify ONE MORE TIME, because it's tough trying to explain the same thing 5 different ways:

THERE IS NO LOAD DATA FOR WHAT I'M DOING. Hence me asking for ways to work up a shotgun load. If I was using "pre-existing" load data, I wouldn't be troubling everyone with this.

Okay, so now on to the details:

Factory Load:
Win AA Hull 2 3/4"
Win 209 Primer
34.5 grains Blue Dot
WAA12 wad
1 3/8oz shot (1.375oz)

My load*:
Win AA Hull 2 3/4"
Win 209 Primer
34 grains Blue Dot
WAA12 Wad
1 1/3oz slug (1.33oz)
*this is an untested load, and if you are just googling for slug loads, it's your own fault if you use this and your gun blows up. I take no responsibilty blah blah blah*

So anyway, there you go. If there was published data, I would be using it, and not troubling anyone with wildcatting questions.

Yes, I would like to make the slug "go faster", IF POSSIBLE. And yes, I don't have a chronograph. It hasn't stopped me with rifles before. I develop both "hot" loads as well as unpublished bullet/powder combinations using pressure signs and half-grain increments. I still have my good looks.

However, that being said, I know what to look for regarding pressure signs with rifle brass. With shotguns, I don't. Hence my asking if there are simple ways to recognize these things. I understand a guy can use a strain gauge, but at the moment I don't have one, nor know where to source one from locally. On the other hand, if there are no pressure signs to look for, then this indeed would prove to be a bit of a sport...

Anyways, I hope I didn't come across as condescending or inappropriate. I'm just trying to better illustrate where I'm coming from.
 
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You slug is approx 580gr??

In the Lyman 5th, there is only one load with Bluedot and 2 3/4 Win AA, 525gr Sabot Slug (fold crimp)
44.0gr Bluedot
Win 209
WAA12R Wad
1474 fps
9200 psi
 
Beware the Longshot, i tried it for trap shooting, DAMN these things have snap. Glad I used an Over/Under and not the semi to test em.
The loads were put together for shooting 2nd in team trap, I wanted someting fast to catch a bird that had already been shot at. They were fast alright, laff, guy in the next stand ducked when it went off, I made one box of 25 probably only shot about 8 of em.
My standard skeet loads do about 1180fps. these were according to the notes around 17- 1800 fps.
No lead needed on the birds.

M.
 
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