20 Gauge light load questions
 

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

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.

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

Now you're talkin'.

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.

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

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 ?

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

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
,

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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