20 GAUGE LOW PRESSURE LOAD INFO NEEDED

[J. A. EARLY]

Unlike 12 Gauge, I can't find any good low pressure loads for the 20. The lowest I'm seeing is about 9000 psi. I'm looking for 1 ounce primarily for hunting and also 7/8 ounce for hunting and targets. Both 2 3/4 and 2 1/2 inch.

I've got a lot of different powders for low pressure 12s & 16s: Longshot, 7625, 700x, etc.

WWAA hulls.

Thanks for your help.

[Jack Kuzepski]

Jerry,

When you think of low pressure loads, you're probably thinking in the 5,000 to 7500 psi range. I believe that is correct for 10 and 12 gauges. For the smaller guages, the low pressure ranges will be higher than those numbers although I don't know what they are. Also the powders you have listed may be fine for low pressure 12 ga loads, in 20 gauge, they may very well be different. You may also want to look at different hulls such as Federals because the internal shape of the hull and basewad material have a direct effect on pressures everything else being the same.
Sorry, but I don't have any more of an answer for you, maybe someone who has more info can enlighten both of us as I need some loads too.

Jack Kuzepski

[J. A. EARLY]

Jack,

Thanks. I understand the 20s may have higher pressure. But the lowest I can find in loading data is 9000 psi for a 7/8 oz. load. Even higher for 1 ounce obviously.

For a 20 damascus with .028 thick barrels I believe I would like lower pressure. There has to be something lower out there.

Jerry

[Kensal Rise]

Jerry:
A lot depends on where that .028 inch of thickness is. What do your barrels measure nine inches from the breech? That is where they need the most metal. .028 at the muzzle is not much of an issue.

[J. A. EARLY]

John,

These are .028 at their thinnest spot 2/3 way down the barrells. Excellent bores, .027 choke each barrel so add .0135 to the thickness at the chokes, .615 bore, never refinished outside or honed inside, 0 frame, not cut. I'm not concerned with their safety. They have been shot for 110 years. I just don't want 12,000 p.s.i. and want to load my own for $5.00 a box instead of $12.00.

[Gary Cripps]

Alliant Powder web site has some low pressure loads. The 20 ga. 3/4 oz. loads are 7200 lbs. with 20/28 powder and 8200 lbs. with Unique. There are others slightly higher.
I am using them.

[Jim Partlow]

I have a load from a Woodcock Minnesota mag.: Rem hull and primer, bpsg20l wad, 17 grains Unique. 3/4 ounce shot. Pressure 7800, velocity 1225. I have not tried this load but I'm loading a 16 gauge load from same article. Hope that helps. Jim P

[Big D]

I am at my cabin, and away from my loading manuals, but look for loads I
using 800X. Not sure there is a lower pressure powder