Spreader loads

[Matt Valinsky]

I want to work up some spreaders for my 16 ga. full/mod., heading back home to north central Mass. this fall to chase some partridge and woodcock with Maggie my English Setter.

Has anyone had any experience with either the X Stream wad or the Polywad?
Or, perhaps you know of another way to build a spreader load?

Thanks for your help.

[Big Friend Ten (BFT)]

I use BPI's X inserts with good results from tightly choked barrels. The spreading effect of any insert will be less for more open choked barrels.

I have tried the Polywad insert and I guess they work... I like the X inserts better! You may have different results.

[Double Play]

Matt,
Dave Suponski makes some nice 16 gauge spreader loads. I'm sure he will comment soon.

[Autumn Daze]

Matt, I will give you my recipe later today when I have a bit more time.

[Autumn Daze]

Matt, My 16 gauge spreader load is as follows. Remington Game load hull (Black hull),Claybuster CB0100-16 gauge wad, 1oz.#8 shot,Winchester 209 primer and 16.2 grains of IMR PB powder. After I drop the shot I insert a Poly-Wad 20 gauge spreader disc. In talking with Jay Menefeee at Poly-Wad he tells me he uses the 20 gauge insert in his factory 16 gauge shells also. It make a difference in the patterns.

Also when I can't get PB I use 18.4 grains of IMR 7625.Both of these loads produce 1200 ft/sec and just shy of 8,000 PSI. Very soft shooting load and they get the job done. I hope this is of some help.....

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Dave Suponski

Matt, My 16 gauge spreader load is as follows. Remington Game load hull (Black hull),Claybuster CB0100-16 gauge wad, 1oz.#8 shot,Winchester 209 primer and 16.2 grains of IMR PB powder. After I drop the shot I insert a Poly-Wad 20 gauge spreader disc. In talking with Jay Menefeee at Poly-Wad he tells me he uses the 20 gauge insert in his factory 16 gauge shells also. It make a difference in the patterns.

Also when I can't get PB I use 18.4 grains of IMR 7625.Both of these loads produce 1200 ft/sec and just shy of 8,000 PSI. Very soft shooting load and they get the job done. I hope this is of some help.....

Dave, how much does the Poly-Wad insert change the pattern percentage? From what % without vs. what % with? I got very good results from the X-Stream insert but have nothing to compare it to.

[Autumn Daze]

Pete, My experience has been the spreaders open the patterns 1+ choke size. IE: From Improved mod to improved cylinder. One thing I have learned is the the speed of the load is critical. If you overspeed the load it will blow the pattern and too light a load and the pattern will not open as much as you would expect.

[Matt Valinsky]

Dave and others, Thanks

My load Dave, is excactly like yours with the exception of 15.5 grains of Alliant 20/28 powder. Nice soft shootong load. If memory serves me correctly, 1100 fps and 5900 psi.

The MEC bars drops a little on the light side, 1 oz. is closer to 7/8 oz., still does a nice job on clay targets. I'll try the inserts and see how they do.

Again, thanks all.

[Autumn Daze]

Matt, The Claybuster wad CB0100-16 is a 1 to 1 1/8oz. wad. Dropping an oz. of shot with this wad leaves room for the insert. In most cases you need to drop 1/8 oz. less shot to have room for the insert.

[Matt Valinsky]

Thanks Dave. I'll get some wads ordered and get some shells loaded up. They might be good for those close shoots on five stand.