20 ga low pressure loads

[Harold Pickens]

Got a pm from a fellow PGCA member asking about low pressure loads in 20 ga to shoot thru twist steel barrels. I usually shoot 3/4 oz thru my 20's for clays, though all my 20's are fluid steel. These are loads that I have used, and and all seem to work fine, may be others will chime in with their thoughts/loads.
I use AA and Rem hulls interchangeably and use the chartruse Claybuster 1075 wad, and W209 primers.
20/28: 14.5 gr, 7200 psi, @1200 fps
Green Dot: 14.5 gr, 9940psi , @1200fps
Unique: 15.4 gr, 8200 psi, @1200fps
International: 12.6 gr, 10,000psi, @ 1150 fps.
The 20/28 load is the lowest pressure, but usually I load Green dot for my 20.
Anybody have any other favorite low pressure loads for the 20?

[Gary Laudermilch]

Harold,

I like the Green Dot load you cited for clays but with a bit less powder - 13.8. Actually I've loaded this down to 12 gr. for kids and was surprised how well they work on targets.

For 7/8 oz I use Win WSF at 16.5 gr and the 1078-20 wad. I forget the pressure but I think it is a bit over 10,000. You would have to check the Hodgdon site to be sure. I've shot 10's of thousands of these and never a problem. However, not through a Damascus gun but that should not make much difference if the barrels are sound.

Low pressure is relative to bore size. It is tough to get a 20 really low especially with 7/8 oz., at least with published data.

[Harold Pickens]

See, that's what I was talking about, and I know others will chime in. I got the GD load from a post by Mike Campbell--I may try reducing the GD. I also use 15.5 gr 20/28 with the CB1078 wad, and 7/8 oz, and I believe it generates around 8800 psi, a pretty low 20 ga pressure for those w/ twist and Damascus barrels.

[Double Lab]

Harold, I think you know my favorite load is the 14.5gr. 20/28 one right off the Alliant website. I've tried Unique, GD and International and by far
( for me at least), the 20/28 load was the mildest in recoil. Just looking at the Alliant webite for 3/4oz., 20ga. loads, 20/28 has the lowest listed pressure. It breaks targets and cleanly kills birds far better than you would expect.... but then again it's basically a 28ga. load in a larger bore.

[Harold Pickens]

Daryl, the last of my Green Dot is in the MEC right now. When done with that I will be switching to that 20/28 load. I have 8-9 lbs of 20/28 left. . Spent alot of quality time in the garage this weekend due to the crappy weather. Just me, 3 setters, the guitar, and the MEC, turning out 20's and tunes.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by Harold Lee Pickens

Just me, 3 setters, the guitar, and the MEC, turning out 20's and tunes.

That sounds darn close to Heaven... wish I'd been there.

[Harold Pickens]

Apparently, Nobelsport markets a 3/4 oz low recoil load in 20 ga. I have have been told that it may not function in autoloaders, so it probably is fairly moderate to low pressure--but i do not know for sure.

[10 bore]

Originally Posted by Harold Lee Pickens

Apparently, Nobelsport markets a 3/4 oz low recoil load in 20 ga. I have have been told that it may not function in autoloaders, so it probably is fairly moderate to low pressure--but i do not know for sure.

whats a autoloader?

[Double Lab]

What's a Noblesport?