2 7/8" 10 gauge goose loads
I just took a break from loading some 2 7/8" 10 gauge for goose hunting this weekend and next week. Its my first time trying to load them on press and I messed up 8-9 hulls getting it set up. We'll be hunting over decoys. I went with a light load of 1 1/4 oz Tungsten Matrix over 35 grns. of SR 4756, Federal hulls, SP10 wads, and Win 209 primers. This is a load that according to Sherman Bell's data that would give 1221 FPS (I know Destry, may as well use a 12) and 5400 psi with lead. I couldn't find any TM load data except for the one 1 1/2 oz load Bell had and I didn't want to go that heavy. Has anyone tried the 1 1/4 oz lead load I mentioned? Did I go too light? Please don't suggest the various short 10 factory loads, they're not available in Canada so its handloads or nothing.
I'll be shooting a 3 frame top lever hammer gun and an early damascus British gun that weighs 7 lbs 11 oz, so I didn't want something that would kick too much. Another 3 frame 10 gauge hammer gun will likely be shooting them as well. I just stepped outside and fired one off, stiff but not excessive recoil. What do you think of my load choice? Any advice would be appreciated.
|