20 Gauge light load questions

[William Davis]

Don't plan to shoot much 20, better to buy shells than load except hard to find 3/4 oz target 20's Only one I see is RST's . If I start with new loaded Winchester AA shells then re-load for the same gun do I need to size ? Thinking a Mec 600 will do, except they don't size. Have to buy a separate sizer might as well look for a size master.

Load I am looking at is Unique 1200 fps 3/4 oz. All advice appreciated.

Bill

[John Campbell]

William:
A MEC 600 does size. It just does it with a collar at one station, not "fingers." And personally, I'd reduce your target velocity to about 1100 to 1150 fps.

[William Davis]

Thanks for the 600 info.

Lightest Alliant published ¾ oz is 15.4 of Unique 1200 fps & 8,200 PSI What I will probably do is load a box using that data then back off on the charge & run some over my chronograph, drop the velocity down to the level you recommend.

Like to shoot some sub gauge SxS events, bought a nice condition Hunter Arms “Hunter Special” 28 inch IC & Full. Had the stock bent, fits nice. Only thing is it’s light, under 7 lbs, factory target loads are hotter than it needs. Get the 20 working well may be in the market for a Parker 20.

Bill

[Dean Romig]

Get the 20 working well may be in the market for a Parker 20.

Bill


Now you're talkin'.

[Rich Anderson]

I'm using 20/28 powder at about 14.5gr with a 3/4oz load. 1150 fps and maybe 7000psi. I use this in damascuss barreled guns, light on the shoulder and hard on targets.

[William Davis]

20-28 is a good recommendation. Good data for it out there. Problem today is getting what you need. Have some Unique on hand, it's hard to find too.

Bill

[William Davis]

Mec 600 is on the way, now looking for powder and hulls. Wads easier looks like a lot of 3/4 loads use Clay buster's 0175-20 sound right ?

[Rich Anderson]

I use the claybuster wad and 20/28 powder. Hulls are RST 2 1/2 scrounged from various shooting venues.

[paul stafford jr]

I load 18 gr of 800x for my target loads, I use it in shells for registered shoots also. I was the only shooter to use SxS in the mi. state champ shoot in 2013, I shot SxS in 410 28 and finished fourth in both classes. I missed the 20 ga shoot on Thursday, couldn't get the day off. but a few weeks before I shot 94 in the 20 ga class at the ted Hannaford open, with a SxS . I don't win a lot , but I love the looks on the faces of the ones I beat
,

[Harold Lee Pickens]

another good light load for a 20 is:
14 gr Green dot
3/4 oz
Waa 20 or claybuster clone wad
Win AA or Rem hull
1200fps approx. 9000 psi
I use a cheerio to get a good crimp with a standard wad, but with Claybusters new3/4 oz 20 wad that isn't necessary.
I will switch to 20/28 after I use up my Green dot,'cause I use 20/28 for my 7/8 oz 16 ga loads in RGL's.

[William Davis]

Now that I have good load recommendations looking for components. Nobody seems to have Clay buster 1075-20 wads for ¾ oz loads, calling Clay buster direct see if they have any to sell. Powder is the problem. Made up a little chart to carry with me on gun shop search. Don't plan to load from this data just a memory jog on what’s similar brand to brand by relative quickness. See something that could work for sale will snap it up. Beggars can’t be choosers

Unique Alliant 31
20/28 Alliant 30
PB Hodgdon 23
Int Hodgdon 21
Super Hcp Winchester 20
Green Dot Alliant 17
Am Select Alliant 15

Looks like Unique and 20/28 similar as is Intl & Super Handicap with Green Dot and American Select grouped together too. I have a pound of Unique on hand nothing else suitable for the 20.

Bill

[charlie cleveland]

red dot is pretty close to green dot...charlie

[William Davis]

Charlie reason I left Red Dot off the cheat sheet is it's same position as TiteWad on the quickness chart. I can't find any low pressure 20 gauge recommended loads for TiteWad, which I have plenty of. Emailed Hodgen looking for Titewad loads no response. Never loaded the 20 but hear it needs slower powder than 12 gauge low preassure shells. If I am thinking about it wrong let me know.

Bill

[Buddy Marson]

Bill, here is a load I am using: 20ga., 7/8oz, Winchester AA hulls, CCI 209 primers, 14.5 grains of Green Dot, Winchester Wads #WAA20 or Claybuster CB 1078-20.
Velocity= 1150 fps
Pressure= 8960 psi

[William Davis]

Thanks Buddy.

Have some Claybuster 1075-20's on the way 3/4 oz charge bar too. Enough Unique on hand to get started. Word is Greentop has a good shotgun powder supply.

Bill

[William Davis]

Internet search of vendors no powder. Half dozen local and near local gun shops same thing, walked into a place I did not expect and found a shelf full of International Clays. Ready to load 3/4 oz 20's now.

Bill

[Ed Blake]

I can also recommend 20/28 powder in a 3/4 oz 20 gauge load.