And the principles are ? In 12ga for the 24gm load - this is less than 7/8oz, the International load- there are 9 loads for Federal shells, 4 for the Winchester shell, and 2 for the Remington shell all 3000 to under 4000psi. For 1oz loads in the 4 to 5000 range - Fed there are 14, Win - 10, and Rem- 3. Am I going to throw out an IMR reloaders guide - NO. If one wants to cycle an auto loader you'd go around 9500 and up and not worry if you're in the 10 to 11,000 range. I don't hunt anymore - just shoot clays. So I'm not worried if a shell sounds a bit light. They still break clay pigeons out to 50yds. 1150fps with under 1oz loads are easy on the gun, easy on the shoulder, and light on the wallet. I load for the wife, daughter, granddaughter, and myself from 30 to 40 boxes a week for the past 5 or 6 years with no problem. Perhaps you could point out my foolish ways. Paul

Alliant got back with me on my question about going lighter in the 10ga load. He said in the cold weather you may notice some light sounding shots. I know the loads we see are tested around 70 to 80 degrees and if shells are left out in the cold your velocity and pressures will go down. So it sounds like if the load is for hunting in cool weather you won't want to reduce it. Paul

Mr. Forge:
If you are curious as to the pressure and velocity of your 10-bore loads, just send some to Tom Armbrust. When he gets time, he will test them for you professionally. He charges $5 a shot and a 5-shot minimum. You can find his site on the web at http://www.armbrust.acf2.org.

Best, Kensal

Kensal, please, it's Paul. I know Tom - he tested some loads that I mistakenly made and blew up a Remington damascus gun. That one took 22,500psi on the forth shot. I thought I was loading Pyrodex and was really useing PB [ 94grs ]. I should say my low pressure loads come from a target shooters side. All you guys reloading for hunting might or would have different ideas about pressure/FPS. I don't think of that sometimes,as can be seen with some of the discussions with Bill, and I'm sorry if I've offended you. I like everyone on this site and I'll try to keep it on the lighter side from now on. Paul

paul that sure is a lot of reloading...i wish my wife were into shooting but is not...but my grand daughter is beginning to shoot a little shes still in that stage of being scared it will kick....she just enrolled into a bow and arrow class thats being taught in school...im glad of this from here maybe we will get into the double barrels... whos the best shot my moneys on the young eyes.... charlie

The granddaughter is good - but at this time experience and cunning is beating good eyes and quick reactions. She's 21, just needs to shoot more. I taught her on a longbow. Her stepfather bought her one of those compound things and she won't shoot it. She also shots a real muzzleloader - flintlock, not the inline he also bought her. He must be pissed at me, but hell, you gotta bring em up right. Now, if I can just get her to shoot SxS's and not that auto she bought. Guess I failed in the department. Paul