Low pressure powders

[416 Rigby]

I haven't purchased powder in quite a few years, and recently found out 7625 and PB are no longer available. What are you gents using for a substitute? I found some old data in the 4500psi range with Solo 1000, but nobody seems to have any of that either. I emailed the powder companies and got nowhere.

The load I was shooting was 1oz in a AA hull at 1100fps at 4400psi with 7625, and I'd like to stay in that pressure range. I haven't shot the old gal much in several years, but would like to start shooting some casual clays again.

My gun is a #1 frame 12ga GH with damascus barrels built in 1903. Kirk Merrington of Kerrville, TX did some barrel and action work when I bought the gun, and gave the green light for shooting. I just want to go easy on it.

Thanks,
Rick

[Quigley97]

Rick,
I also have a "G" grade with damascus barrels. I load 17 grains of clay dot and 7/8 oz. of 71/2. According to Alliant's web site that puts this load at 5,000 to 5,200 psi and 1150 to 1200 fps. This is the only load I use in all three of my Parkers and I shoot twice a week. I know others use loads with somewhat higher pressures with no issues.
Tom

[Paul Harm]

You're going to have trouble staying in that range. The powder manufactures will tell you even though there may have been data for that pressure, it's undesirable for consistent pressures and velocity and may result in bloopers, especially in cooler weather. And, there's no need to stay that low. BP loads had higher pressure than that. Looking in my Lyman BP handbook some 12ga loads had 5950 LUP loads that translate to around 6950psi, or shall we say 7000psi. Most guys here try to stay around 7000 give or take a couple of hundred. I personally try to keep under 7500. Maybe one reason you didn't get a answer was at the pressure you want if you did get a blooper and left a wad in the barrel and next shot [ without checking the barrel ] the barrel blew up, you'd then claim you loaded what they recommended and it was their fault the barrel blew up. It's called "cover your a** " in this day and age of lawsuits. You're being overly cautious.

[Paul Harm]

To follow up, the less shot used the easier it is to keep pressures down. I know if you're loading for hunting loads that's a bit more difficult, but target loads it's quite easy. After not shooting clays for 30 years I started again in 2005 with a modern 12ga with 26" barrels. My old 1 1/8oz loads were kicking the crap out of me so I went to 1oz loads, then 7/8, and now 3/4 and have never noticed a difference in scores. Claybusters makes wads for all the mentioned loads and cheaper than factory wads. They also have low pressure loads with many powders. I've used 700X, Promo, American Select, Red Dot, Green Dot, Unique, and a couple of others. A couple of examples are with a Remington shell, mild primer, American Select, and CB wads are :7/8oz, 20.5grs, CB1100 = 6900fps/1310psi
18.9grs, CB4100 = 5200/1200
1oz 19.5 CB1100 = 7500/1200
Promo or Red Dot [ both the same ] 7/8oz 17.7grs CB1100 = 7100/1200
700X 1oz 15.5grs CB2100 = 5700/1100
16.5 2100 = 6400/1150
17.5 2100 = 7000/1200
3/4 oz has many more. Mild primers are anything except Fed209A and CCI209M

[Harry Collins]

WW Xtra Lite load is 1 oz at about 7400 psi. This can be duplicated with WST powder. I shoot
This load in all my Parker's including an 1881 lifter with twist barrels.

[416 Rigby]

Thanks, guys. I just figured I'd try to stay with what's been working, but wanted some opinions on what guys are using now. I understand your point about the weather conditions affecting combustion, so bumping up the pressure seems to be not as big a deal as I believed.

Thanks for the help!