Low pressure 12 ga loads

[Paul Harm]

Bill, I use 3/4oz at all claybird ranges. Of course, I'm shooting for fun, but even though have noticed no difference in my score since going to 3/4oz. I use 8 or 8 1/2's for everything but load a little higher velocity, around 1250 to 1300 fps. I found with the 3/4oz loads at lower velocity and cold weather [ under 10 degrees ] I was getting some bloopers. In one of the SC's rags one of the writers claim he tested 3/4oz loads at skeet ranges and the loads were too tight unless he used a spreader or paper wads. Also said higher velocities helped open them up a bit. He found the shorter shot column deformed the bottom shot so much less that the patterns got tighter. I've never tested my loads, just know they break birds just fine even out to 40/50 yards. If you can find it, Promo is the same as Red Dot only cheaper. I've been told RD has been cleaned a bit more than Promo. You'll just have to check it for weight when reloading - could be different.

[William Davis]

Paul I used Titewad for my light loads, until I ran out and could only find Red Dot. Then had the word in at two gun shops, hold a jug for me out of the next shipment of Red Dot or Titewad. We don't get real cold weather often. Below freezing mid day couple of times a year at most. Could find some bloopers if I did shoot in cold weather.

Two days apart 8 lbs of Titewad 8 Lbs of Red Dot show up. I kept the Red Dot, sold the Titewad to a Parker club member just to keep from having to switch my loads again.

I like the 3/4 loads a lot however for my VH 30 inch which weigh's more prefer the 7/8 7 1/2 loads. One of the Clays courses near me has some very long targets. I shoot with a top level squad, (squad not me) who shoot O/U's, they all use 7/8 7 1/2 because of the targets distance.

Way I keep all of this straight is load 7/8 in Red AA's 3/4 in Grey AA's Green Remington Gun Clubs are all loaded with 1 oz 7 1/2's and a Polywad spreader, and a lighter powder charge, used for Rabbits only.

You could shoot any Clay's or Skeet course with a Parker using B&P Competition One's 7/8 # 8's But tailored to my guns is so much more fun.

William

[Bill Jolliff]

William and Paul,

My sporting clays and skeet shooting is all very casual and no scores are kept. My loads are pretty similar to yours: I shoot 700X 3/4 ounce #8's and 8.5's loads from my full choke left barrel for distance targets and 0.5 or 0.6 Extra Lite 8's and 8.5's from the right IC choked barrel for the closer shots. I've never patterned the loads and have never had a problem with cold weather shooting here in upstate NY.
I'm almost out of EL powder but have about 4 pounds of 700X left. Sure would like to find some EL.
Bill