Reloading the 16 ga.

[Jeff S.]

As mentioned a on a previous thread, I’m trying to come up with a good recipe for reloading 16 ga. shells. I have found, and good people have recommended, good solutions, but if the required powder is no longer produced it’s a problem. Yesterday a guy spoke highly of Alliant’s “Extra-Lite”. I checked Alliant’s webpage, but they only provided recipe’s for 12 ga. I’m just wondering if anyone in this group has any experience with Alliant’s Extra-Lite?

[Double Lab]

Hey Champ- I have used Longshot, Unique, 20/28 and 7625 which I have a stash of. Longshot is dirty but does a nice job. Unique is probably your best bet. I should add that I'm loading 3/4oz behind 15.5gr Unique or 20/28, DR16 wad in the black Rem hull. Using 22gr. Longshot or 7625 in Fed, Fiocchi or Win SuperX hulls. Loading the 16 is a pain just trying to find components. I find the 3/4oz loads are a pussycat to shoot but will do the job if you do yours.

Never tried ExtraLite but have seen some use of it in the 16.

BTW- all the loads I listed are at or close to 1200fps @ 9000psi or less. They were adapted from 7/8oz tested loads. Use at your own risk. All loads in a 2 3/4" hull.

BTW2- Nice shooting at Bachelder's

[Jeff S.]

Thanks for all of the tips, Daryl. I’ve found several good recipes using 7625, but I can’t find the powder. I think it’s like buying a 32” 28 ga. Half the fun is in the search. I’ll keep looking, and see you at Hausmann’s.

[Aaron Beck]

It may be useful to look at a powder burn rate chart, I tried to attach one but failed. Since components are scarce, anything near a known load is worth considering. In the case of 7625, you have universal (not currently made) unique and 20/28 as well as some others which arent known shotgun powders. Since green dot proved too hot for 7/8 in a 16 with your components, I would guess extra light would be even worse but thats just going by the chart.

[Jeff S.]

Thanks. I’ll look for a burn rate chart.

[Mark Garrett]

This is the only load that I have seen for Extra-lite in the 16ga. Problem is unless you have some, the Dr16 wad has not been available for some time now.

Cheddite 3/4 oz Extra Lite 13.7gr Win 209 DR-16 1278fps 10,420psi

[Jeff S.]

Originally Posted by Aaron Beck

It may be useful to look at a powder burn rate chart, I tried to attach one but failed. Since components are scarce, anything near a known load is worth considering. In the case of 7625, you have universal (not currently made) unique and 20/28 as well as some others which arent known shotgun powders. Since green dot proved too hot for 7/8 in a 16 with your components, I would guess extra light would be even worse but thats just going by the chart.

Thanks for the tip regarding the charts. I found a couple. You know…. I’m starting to regret that “C” I earned in High School Physics.😁

[Cold Spring]

Originally Posted by Jeff Stegmeier

Thanks for the tip regarding the charts. I found a couple. You know…. I’m starting to regret that “C” I earned in High School Physics.��

Many can (but probably won’t) post the same regret because of other interests during high school Chem and Physics classes …… coach had them out practicing on the gridiron or shooting hoops, chasing girls, daydreaming about cars, etc.

[Jeff S.]

Originally Posted by Mark Garrett

This is the only load that I have seen for Extra-lite in the 16ga. Problem is unless you have some, the Dr16 wad has not been available for some time now.

Cheddite 3/4 oz Extra Lite 13.7gr Win 209 DR-16 1278fps 10,420psi

Thanks for sharing that recipe. That’s a lot of pressure.