Duplex loads
 

Looking for any input regarding how Duplex loads pattern. Has anyone noticed frequently blown patterns due to the different shot sizes? I'm thinking of loading #4's and 6's for squirrel season this year instead of just 6's. Most of my shots are at longer ranges and plain 6's don't always bring then down.
Thanks.

Try 5's

:rotf: Thanks for the suggestion but I have plenty of 4's and 6's, and thought that if I could get good patterns by combining those I would try it.

It’s been a few years back like 1990 I believe . Anyway I’d just acquired a NIN Remington SP-10 26” expressly for gobble birds and that year or the next Remington offered duplex loads in 10 3 1/2” , 12 3” and I think 12 2 3/4” . I bought some for the 10 and the 12 3” . Well as I remmember they patterned okay at 20 and 40 yards . The 12’s were 4’s and 6’s if my memory serves and seems to me the 10’s were 2’s and 4’s .

If the sixes don't cut the mustard then just load fours. IMO, there is nothing to be gained by mixing the two.

Thanks Daryl,
I tried that but pattern density was pretty thin at 40-45 yards. Another thought
I had was using Steel Shot Wads. I might try that if the duplex loads don't work out.

Austin,

With large shot you often have to buffer the load to achieve decent patterns. I can't imagine 6's not being able to do the job. Of course there is always the .22 if you can use it where you hunt.

I developed a long range load that was based on the slowest powder I could find - 800X. My thought is that the slow burn doesn't distort the shot. I don't believe it would ever be a commercial success because it had mimimal recoil, and would be viewed as "Weak"

I’ve hand-rolled duplex and triplex loads for upland birds. Usually 6, 7 1/2 and 8 in the triplex and 7 1/2-6 or 5-6 in the duplex. I never patterned them but bagged plenty of birds with them. I use my usual 1 oz recipes and just add my mixed shot.

I've loaded (5) shells with 5/8 oz. of 6's under 1/2 oz. of 4's, and will pattern test them this week. I will also try the same loading, but will use a steel shot wad with buffering to see if it would tighten the group. I'll post the results after testing.

If shooting a double gun, load the right more open barrel with 6s for close shots, and load 3/4 ounce of tungsten #9s in the left full barrel. Work up a load. Bound to kill out to 60 yards. There will be so short of a shot column in the left barrel that nothing can rub metal. You will be amazed at the number of pellets in this load, 272. Will probably go clean through the squirrel.

Winchester Magnum Dove Loads
 

Winchester is making a "Magnum" dove load (a true oxymoron) with 1-1/4 ounce of mixed shot at a blistering 1400 fps. I don't think I'll be shooting anything like this in my vintage guns. But, if you want it, it's out there.
X
X