Loads to share

[Keith Doty]

I've been searching for loads for 16 & 20 gauge that cover my dove/clay/quail needs and use a powder I can feed my 12 ga.s as a "lite" duck load, bismuth over decoys. Have had fair success with Hodgdon's International. My target was 1150 fps all loads. I got there trial, error, and chronograph, initially shot all in modern guns (made me feel better). I have arrived at these combinations by borrowing from others, many here, kind enough to share and then tailoring to my particular wants.

These loads have NOT been pressure tested.

All use Cheditte hulls 2 1/2" (some bought to length, some cut down)
All use Fioche 616 primers
All use Hodgdon International powder
All are 6 point crimp
12 ga. 17.5 gr. Int'l Comp spcl short wad 1oz. #7
16 ga. 15.7 gr. Int'l Sporting 16 wad 7/8 oz. #7
20 ga. 13.5 gr. Int'l Sporting 20-S wad 7/8 oz. #7
Ill advised as it may be, I substitute a Helix 18 wad in the 12 ga. and use 1 oz. #5 Bismuth shot. Need just a bit more room for the bismuth. Deadly out to 40+, but you WILL lead'em.
This stuff shoots like the ammo of my youth, if you put on'em they meet the dog!
Again, have not tested these loads! That is next on my list for all these. I'll post the results when I get them.

[Gary Laudermilch]

International in 20 ga will push SAMMI max pressures.

[Keith Doty]

I've seen some 20 ga. loads with it listed as high as 18 to 20 gr and they show pressures well over 10K, too high for me, wouldn't shoot'em on a bet. Ballistic products (whose loads tend to be "hot" in my experience) show a 16 gr 7/8 oz load at 1220 fps and 9600 psi and a 14 gr. 7/8 oz load at 1115 fps and 8600 psi. Hodgdon lists a 14 gr. 7/8 oz load at 1200 fps, no posted pressure. At 13.5 gr. in a straight wall case I'd guess pressure to be at or under 8K. As I said, next step is send properly documented samples for testing. Only way to really know.