I've used Navy beans but the wife complains because I'm using what she uses for bean soup.

I’ve always used polystyrene disks punched out or food trays .for close on 50 years.just drop disk on top of main wad .dont ram it or you Will block your tube .Cant understand the concoctions you use on your side of the pond.

What do you use to punch out the disks?

That’s pretty simple if for a 10 gauge get a piece of a 16 or 20 gauge single barrel . Grind around one end to make it sharp then just tap it with a hammer when it’s on the styrofoam tray and wahla .

Buy a gasket hole punch from one of the cheap tool places( i bought a set of 12 for $9.00) sharpen it and it will push out a perfect disc with hand pressure.

Thank you Woodcock Survey. Ordered a set.

On this side of the pond we find ways to increase load height for a good crimp. Beans, corn, etc. are all cheap and easy to use.

The dark beans seem to work better Paul. Just kidding. I have patterned with beans and no effect on pattern plus they are biodegradable. The best part is I don't have to stock them in different sizes nor pay shipping cost. Maybe not up to English standards but they work just as well as fiber wads.