Switching powders
 

8 pounder of Red Dots running low. Use it for 12 G, 7/8 oz in AA hulls = Parker’s & 1 oz Remington STS = Beretta OU . It seems to be the powder that’s hardest to buy. Normal times would buy a couple 1 pound jugs different powders test then lay in a supply. Have plenty of 20/28 for 3/4 oz 20 G Parker’s & Green Dot 7/8 oz 20 G barrels on the Beretta. Again Winchester & Remington hulls to keep loads separated

Considering two type guns same gauge any recommendations on one powder likely to be more available . There are some published 12 G 7/8 Green Dot loads not sure they are appropriate for Damascus guns.

William

I recently bought and loaded some Hodgdon High Gun for 12ga 2-3/4” Cheddite hulls. You’ll want to verify the load data on their website; according to the data, it yielded 4200 psi at a velocity of 1180 fps for a 1oz load of lead shot:

High Gun 12ga Load
Cheddite 2-3/4” Case
1oz Lead
18.8 grains High Gun
W209 Primer
CB 6100-12 wad
Yield 4200 psi 1180 fps

There are other low pressure loads using Fiocchi 616 primers and Cheddite primers. Unfortunately, I don’t have any data for 2-1/2” 12ga hulls (yet).

There is load data for 12ga AA hulls, but the pressures are higher, but you should be able to find a 1oz load at 1180 fps that is below 7000psi.

Thanks will pull up the Hodgdon data & have a look . Switching powder likely to mean switching wads too. That’s a small price to pay compared to not shooting low pressure loads.

Finding factory loaded 7/8 oz 12 g has been nearly impossible too. Friend and I found 3 flats 7/8 oz 1150 fps shells gun shop near the Vintage Cup course. Appears to be old stock, cases shelf worn. We scoffed them up. 1 oz factory easier, FITASC shooters use them high demand, mostly loaded to high velocity, don’t like them in my Parker’s.

William

Probably the most available 12ga powder is Hodgdon Perfect Pattern. Combined with the most available 209 primer, Cheddite, it will deliver reasonably low pressure 1200 fps 7/8 ounce loads in both AA and Remington GC hulls, 6600 to 7400 psi. I have been loading them in AA HS hulls using the Claybuster version of the AA Grey wad and shooting them in both fluid and composite barrel gun without issue. If it were me I would save the Green Dot for the 20ga as we may never see the Alliant Dot powders for a long time if ever again.

The data for the PP with Cheddite primer 7/8 12ga is on the Hodgdon Reloading Data Center.

Perfect patern has worked well for me, with chedite primers, and gray claybuster wads for 1 oz and yellow for 1 1/8 oz
With Hodgen data

Perfect Pattern sounds like a good choice & think I can find a source. Agree on the Green dot being useful for 20 G except I have a 8 pounder of 20/28 and 3 one pound bottles of international. They will serve my 20 SxS shooting a long time.

Not directly related to Parker’s but started my Grandson on Skeet when he was 13. Beretta 20 g 391 & Green dot loads. When he got the feel of basics switched him to Sporting. Later older and bigger to a 12 G Beretta A300.he’s 17 now and shoots better than I do. He uses my Parker’s some & have a VH 12 & Trojan 20 set aside for him.

Point is I load a whole lot of 12 G and some 20 G for his Beretta Autos. Am switching both Autos powder to Green Dot. This will preserve the dwindling supply of Red Dot 7/8 low pressure powder. Plus factory target loads are available for either one.

Component or factory loaded either one, suitable shell shortages are not doing our SxS sport any good

William

Just looked at the Hodgdon load data. Perfect Pattern loads are listed 7/8 oz low pressure using wads hulls and primers I have on hand. And my favored velocity 1200 fos.

Thanks all.

William

Check powder valley today, oct 28 , 2024
Free hazmat, perfect pattern
8 lbs 259 plus shipping and ga sales tax, I often wonder if Ga ever gets this sales tax

Thanks it’s still available from powder valley, 8 pounder on its way now. That will keep us going for a while, just shy of 4000 loads

William

When you get to a certain age, your friends pass at a great rate and leave quantities of components to old friends. Personally, I haven't bought much of anything for many years. The Lovely Linda's late husband was quite the reloader. Lately, I uncovered a large Tupperware tub full of once fired AA compression formed .410s, a lifetime supply for me.

Agree, large supply of AA and STS hulls from friends getting out of reloading. Another gave me 3 one pound jugs of IMR/Hodgdon 4227. Preferred powder for 32/40 & 38/55 Single shots. More significant sold or gave away all my 16 & 10 Gage tools and components, guns too. Uncertain availability making many focus on a few cartridges.

Was match director Small Bore Silhouette our club first Rimfire Shortage number of years ago Lack of ammunition killed the match. Attended the recent Vintage Cup, lot of reasons for low turn out, my opinion significant is the lack of suitable shells. Few flats on sale high pressure higher velocity than we use. Have always shot 4 gages, cut back to 12 & 20 . Less worry half the shells used made up for double cost. It’s a shame.

William