16 gauge 7/8 loads using filler wad

[matt koepnick]

hey to all those in the group. have been chasing the elusive 7/8 loads with the stuff i have on hand. i'm down to my last 150 of my DR16 wads i have from years ago. i'd successfully assembled a good low recoil load for the misses to shoot well with these and Greendot. i have looked over all the info over ours and the 16 Guage Society. today i settled on this one from their site.
7/8 oz lead
cheddite 2 3/4 hull
SG16 wad
CX2000 primer
.150 thick 28 guage filler wad under shot
19.5 gr of universal
says 1165 fps at 8100 psi

wad/shot column stacked up almost identical in height to my current Greendot /DR16 loads. made zero changes to Mec jr press, including using the same powder bushing as the green dot. the Universal gave more weight with same volume i guess.
now i am wondering if i could accomplish the same results using my old 1 oz loads , with Unique /SG16 and adding the under shot filler to make a 7/8 load.
adding a filler wad under shot is entirely new to me. i'm looking for sage wisdom from
those in the know. thanks for any help. matt k

[Aaron Beck]

Im curious who did the testing on that?

[Pete Lester]

now i am wondering if i could accomplish the same results using my old 1 oz loads , with Unique /SG16 and adding the under shot filler to make a 7/8 load.
adding a filler wad under shot is entirely new to me. i'm looking for sage wisdom from
those in the know. thanks for any help. matt k

Reducing the shot charge will lower pressure and increase velocity. A single Cheerio can be placed inside the shot cup before adding the shot. The average Cheerio takes up the space of 1/8 of ounce of shot. They are cheap, light and readily available. Use the plain ones so your hand doesn't get sticky.

[matt koepnick]

this Cheerio idea would save some added time on stamping out cork fillers. plus we already have some of that filler in "stock". another plus would be i know the published pressures on my Unique loads with 1 oz are in my safe zone. sounds like Cheerio 7/8 would be even lower. win/win
thanks Matt K

[Aaron Beck]

The 19.5 g universal, 7/8 oz shot in a 2.5" cheddite hull is listed on hogdons site at 7300-1125fps
So Thats why I was asking about testing. The extra weight of the card may increase pressure some, i dont know. The 2 3/4 hull likely lowers it.

[matt koepnick]

Aaron's questions had me thinking about the additions of either cork filler or Cheerio. this am i was working on the loader and decided to weigh in various parts. came up with these
Cheerio average weight= 1.7 to 1.8 grains
cork filler .150 thick average weight = 1.7 to 1.8 grains
2 BB's of #8 shot average weight was 2.3 grains
seems that addition of either filler is equal to about 2 more lead BB #8. i'm hoping /guessing this isn't of much consequence.
thanks all for helping me work this thru in my noggin. Mattly

[Pete Lester]

Aaron's questions had me thinking about the additions of either cork filler or Cheerio. this am i was working on the loader and decided to weigh in various parts. came up with these
Cheerio average weight= 1.7 to 1.8 grains
cork filler .150 thick average weight = 1.7 to 1.8 grains
2 BB's of #8 shot average weight was 2.3 grains
seems that addition of either filler is equal to about 2 more lead BB #8. i'm hoping /guessing this isn't of much consequence.
thanks all for helping me work this thru in my noggin. Mattly


The filler is increasing the weight by less than half of one percent. Weigh your full shot charge I bet it's throwing less than 7/8 oz

[Terry Hobson]

I often use a cheerio when I have dished crimps regardless of the load. I put it on top of the shot. Improves the crimps. Can’t imagine it affects ballistics, I only see some dust now and then upon firing.

[Mike Koneski]

I'll use filler wads under my shot charge when necessary to fill the shot column. I'd rather use the various wads than a bean or cereal.