Sounds like fun , I'd like to be there . Enjoy !

Craig, the D grade hammer gun is an eight? Have you told us about it before?

Bill no its a 10 gauge.
I shot the 8 and it is a blast, smokes targets at 50 plus yards, had all my buddies giggling. The load is very nice shooting little recoil, no flinching.

Thanks, Craig. Have you had the 30 grain Clays loads tested? What was the result? I have a full keg of Clays but understand that it isn't made any more. Is that correct?

Clays is still being made, it was impossible to find a couple years back during the powder shortage. I got the load from Tom Armbrust 1200fps 8500psi. Shots were very consistent and the Clay's burns very clean. The mec bushing actually throws 29.1gn, so I figure a little less speed and pressure.

Bill, Hodgdon still makes Clays. It is a good powder. Burns clean.

Craig, do you use a hand loading machine or did you find a press? Did you mill the industrial "rib" of the hull or did you buy them that way?

Mike I bought new Winchester hulls because they can be fold crimped. I bought hulls already swadged from Tom Armbrust. I also bought the converted MEC. Simple and easy.
My understanding is the Remington hulls can only be roll crimped. When reloading a roll crimped hull the mouth needs to be heat conditioned so the wad can be inserted. I plan to shoot my 8 at clays so I went for the press and fold crimp route.

Some Pictures first run with the 8

That is awesome! 8's are a charge to shoot

Craig I am glad the gun and your load recipe shot well. I must admit, since I first saw your post with the bucket of newly loaded 8 gauge shells(that looked beautiful by the way...) all I have been thinking about is getting a Parker 8 gauge of my own someday. Looks like too much fun!