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.