Short Ten Greed Dot Loads: Test Results

[Victor Wasylyna]

I just received test results for two Green Dot waterfowl loads (using bismuth). Both loads have: (1) a 10 gauge Remington (green) hull (cut to 2 7/8''); (2) a Winchester 209 primer; (3) an SP-10 wad; (4) 1/4'' 16 gauge fiber filler in the wad cup; (5) 1.25 ounces of #4 bismuth; and (6) a 6 point fold crimp. Load #1 has 27.0 grains of Green Dot, while Load #2 has 28.5 grains of Green Dot. As you will see, both loads are hot (1,322 fps and 1,373 fps, respectively) with relatively high pressure (10,250 psi and 11,485 psi, respectively).

The results took me by surprise. I regularly shoot this load through my Damascus-barreled 10 gauge Parkers, but with 1.25 ounces of lead, and never got the impression it was so hot. Anyway, back to the drawing board. I think I will next try 24.0 grains and 25.5 grains of Green Dot (all else the same, as it loads very nicely).

-Victor

[J.B. Books]

It would be really beneficial to see the difference in that 27 grain load using lead. Use of Federal hull would most likely drop pressure by a few hundred psi. I would expect velocity to be around 1200 fps with 24 grains and pressure to be 9500 psi + or -. I am thinking a switch to Unique would give better pressures in this load. There is a tested load using the Remington hull, 24 grains Unique and the SP10 wad with 1 3/8 ounce of bismuth, it produced a velocity of 1188 and pressure of 8800 psi.

[William Davis]

I tested Green Dot 26 and 27 Grs 1 1/4 oz lead. Too much recoil for me or my Parkers. Crono was about 1350 as I recall don't need to go that fast. Dropped down to 23 grs and it's a useful Hunting load, Going to switch Clay shooting to 19 Grs Read Dot & 1 1/8 oz use the 23 GR 1 1/14 load for Crows.

William

[Paul Harm]

I don't hunt, shoot only clay birds. My 10ga load is 23grs of GD and 1oz of shot. There's still a little recoil, but not bad. But then I'm used to shooting 12ga with 3/4oz of shot - about no recoil. I would think with 1 1/4oz of shot you're going to have some recoil, especially with the DAH our old guns have.

[William Davis]

Paul what I found with my GD Crow load 27 Grs and 1 1/4 oz Lead burns clean but has more velocity than needed with too much recoil. Drop the load to 23 grs & 1 1/4 oz velocity comes down to the just under 1200 I want and recoil is reasonable. It does burn dirty but that's not a big issue, go to 1 1/8 oz shot it gets very dirty. 23 Green Dot & 1 1/4 is just right for me.

Not finished testing but looks like 19 of Red Dot and 1 or 1 1/8 oz is going to be my Clay's load. I have two short 10's than might pattern fine with 1 oz. 3rd gun with less choke needs 1 1/8 to fill out patterns. Probably settle on 1 1/8 oz for all Red Dot target loads to keep it simple.

This all seat of the pants testing, Paper and my Cronograph.

William

[charlie cleveland]

you will not beat the 19 grains of red dot for an all around load its easy on the shoulder and on the gun with fairly clean burn... charlie

[Victor Wasylyna]

Today I sent out for testing 24.0 gr and 25.5 gr Green Dot loads. These two additional tests should shed good light on the useful range of Green Dot with 1.25 ounce loads.

Also, after reviewing the powder burn rate chart, decided to test a Blue Dot load and a Longshot load. Thought the relatively slower burn rates (and hopefully lower pressures) might make these two powders good candidates for short-ten waterfowl loads. Will post results when received.

-Victor

[Victor Wasylyna]

Originally Posted by Pete Lester

It would be really beneficial to see the difference in that 27 grain load using lead.

Pete:

I agree. If I had enough new hulls, I would have sent a lead load in for testing. I am curious to see if lead versus bismuth (all else the same) makes any difference. My speculation is there would be no difference, but I am well aware of the powder manufacturers' warnings against swapping metals, hence my curiosity.

-Victor

[William Davis]

Victor, appreciate your work on GD loads

William

[Bill Murphy]

Victor, your loads from the original post would settle down quite a bit if you used Unique. I don't believe you have to go as slow as Blue Dot with a 1 1/4 ounce load, but obviously, Green Dot is too fast and creates too high a pressure.