1/2oz 20ga - Too much fun!
 

Had a little too much fun today with my 20 gauge Parker Lifter. I was using a new recipe I had initially tried for my son, 1/2oz and 13 grains of Unique. Almost no recoil, it really does kick like a 22. I was initially surprised at how well they work so I loaded up some for my Parker lifter.

I was able to crimp these 2 ½” shells on a press using 2 Cheerios as filler. Then I cut the shells to 2 ¼“ and roll crimped them(I was cutting 3” shells and just decided on this length so I wouldn't have to add any filler, but then ended up putting in a half a Cheerio…).

To make a long story short…these shells were just wonderful in my lifter. Not much I couldn’t hit and I wasn’t putting any stress on the gun. I can’t type how much fun I was having. I shot all I had and will be loading more.

The above is just my own loads, please use the above information at your own risk.

One fine 20!

Looks like you found the right load for that beautiful gun.

Awesome. I loaded some 3/4 oz for a 12g and surprised how amazing they are. I think low payload shells are way underrated

Andy, I load 3/4oz for 12 gauge too. They are nice and surprisingly effective. I also like them in my early lifters that have the squared receiver. Kind of like these 1/2oz 20ga loads I tried, they seem to perform better than they should.

For those who may be skeptical, I will only add that I shot a couple of these with Jay, and, apart from my first reaction, that they break targets like one might think they shouldn't, there is virtually no felt recoil. We took delight in watching Jay break targets well out there. It was actually kind of funny seeing his "Cat-who-ate-the-mouse" grin.

The only reason I havent tried 1/2 oz loads is because I dont have a 1/2 oz bar. I hunt with 3/4 oz loads in my 20's, and shoot alot of 3/4 oz 16's, and even in 12 ga. In these days of increasing reloading/ammo supply shortages its a win/win.
What a great little 20.

Skeptical
 

I guess I'm one of the skeptical ones, how can one break targets with a 1/2 oz load:shock:

Thanks for the ideas Jay, I'll have to give it a try.

Stan

really nice 20 ga....charlie

Stan, I dont think you would have any problem breaking targets with that load.
How about this :Shoot a round 25-50 targets with a standard 7/8 oz 20 load, shoot again with a 3/4 oz load, and then again with a 1/2 oz load. I bet for a good shooter there would not be much difference in the score. People seem to do quite well with 5/8 oz in RST 28s.