Low pressure 28 gauge

[Jeff Elder]

Originally Posted by Bill Murphy

I had a Francotte 28 that weighed about 4 1/2 pounds and was punishing with factory 3/4 ounce loads. I loaded 1/2 ounce loads without changing the powder charge that I was using for target loads. I guess I filled the shell with a thin wad. These loads worked very well and didn't recoil at all. My 28 gauge powder has always been Unique.

You mind sharing that recipe?

[Bill Murphy]

Whatever the Alliant book shows for Unique to duplicate a Winchester target load. Probably a Remington wad. My 1/2 ounce loads with the 3/4 ounce powder charge sounds and performs just like the 3/4 ounce load. It must be very low pressure but the powder seemed to burn just fine. This load would probably be safe in a gun with a cardboard barrel.

[Chris Riley]

See attached pdf for pressure comparison based on factory load data for 2-3/4” hulls and 3/4oz lead shot.

[Chris Riley]

-Above comparison is for AAHS 2-3/4” hulls. apologies for the omission.

[Chris Riley]

Attached are my loading cards for 28ga AAHS hulls 3/4oz lead at 1200fps based on Hodgdon and Alliant data. You will need to verify from their data and take note that I interchange Cheddite primers with the Winchester W209 primers; there’s likely separate entries and data for each of those primers. But this data should give an idea of what to use for lower pressure and lower velocity load. No 20/28 to be found.

[Jeff Elder]

Thank you Chris

[Aaron Beck]

I recently had a load tested with blue dot.. because ive got a bunch and it was commonly featured in older manuals but with different components. Pressure was in the 7-8K range and fairly consistent. It is not "clean burning" by any stretch, So i stocked up on unique (thanks to some friends) and use it for 5/8 and 3/4. I wouldnt classify the unique as low pressure though, at least in 3/4oz.

[Bill Murphy]

Aaron, the 28 gauge is normally loaded to a higher pressure than larger gauges. Unique is a perfectly suitable 28 gauge powder. A slower powder like Blue Dot is about the only way to lower pressures in the 28 with the exception of lowering the shot load. I'm sure you are familiar with "Burning Rate" charts which will help you to select powders.

[Aaron Beck]

Mr Elder was concerned about the integrity of his barrels, apparently on the advice of a known gunsmith. Thus, I offered my experience with Blue Dot. I believe the blue dot was in favor for thinwall tubesets at one time.

[Bill Murphy]

Care to share the pressure testing results with Blue Dot? Who was the tester? A dirty powder is no big deal if the results of testing are in your favor. I would like to read about the Blue Dot being the hot lick in tubes. I don't remember reading that before. Please tell us about your grandfather's 28 gauge. What make is it? Fluid steel or Damascus?