Light 0.5 and 0.6 Ounce 12 Gauge Loads

[Bill Jolliff]

This new thread is in response to a previous thread in this Reloading Section where there were some discussions on light 12 gauge loads.

I’ve been shooting some nice light recoil 12 gauge loads in my old Fox A grade double with very satisfactory results. So for those that might have an interest in hand loading some for your old doubles or for recoil sensitive shooters, I sent some of my loaded 0.5 and 0.6 ounce loads using Alliant Extra Lite powder to Tom Armbrust of Ballistic Research for testing. Also loaded some 0.6 ounce loads using the more available IMR 700X powder and have those results too.

In all cases: I used Claybuster CB 0175-12 12 gauge pink ¾ ounce wads with Craig Smith’s Circle Fly 20 gauge 0.125” thick card wads in the bottom to make the 0.5 ounce loads and a 0.025” thick card wad for the 0.6 ounce loads; used #8 lead shot and Alliant Extra Lite powder.

Hulls/primers: Remington Gun Clubs with Remington STS 209 primers and Winchester AA HS hulls with Winchester 209 primers.

Loaded with a MEC Sizemaster.

Results:
0.5 ounce with Rem hulls, Rem primers, 14 grains EL powder (MEC #26 powder bushing) average of 4766 psi at an average speed of 1343 fps. (A second identical loading tested later produced 4300 psi and 1296 fps.)

0.5 ounce with Win hulls, Win primers, 14 grains EL powder (MEC #26 powder bushing) average of 5100 psi at an average speed of 1367 fps.

0.6 ounce with Rem hulls, Rem primers, 14.5 grains EL powder (MEC #27 powder bushing) average of 5133 psi at an average speed of 1308 fps.

0.6 ounce with Win hulls, Win primers, 14.5 grains EL powder (MEC #27 powder bushing) average of 5400 psi at an average speed of 1309 fps.

Also loaded some 0.6 ounce loads using 13.7 grains of IMR 700X powder (MEC bushing #24) with Rem hulls and Rem primers and they produced an average pressure of 3400 psi and average speed of 1207 fps. Looks like a bump up another powder bushing a size or two would be OK. This reflects the slower burning characteristics of the 700X compared to the very fast burning EL.

I’ve given the average of pressure and speed for each load. There was some variability in the numbers as might be expected for variation in powder drops of as much as 0.2 grains and differences in crimps and wad seating pressure (around zero) but overall probably not more than what might be expected.

These are nice pleasant light loads that sound fine and are quite clean burning. May not be for everyone but for those that want a light load, these work fine. Alliant Extra Lite powder seems to be very hard to find. A suitable substitute might be Hodgdon Titewad powder which is also a very fast burning powder and likely suitable for light 12 gauge loads. Have some of that Titewad powder that I’m going to try because my EL is running out and I can’t find any.

I do not have dedicated 0.5 and 0.6 charge bars. I use brass tubing and thin wall plastic pipe trimmed to insert in a 1 ounce charge bar. Can get pretty precise shot drops of 0.5 and 0.6 ounces.

I also load ¾ ounce loads using EL and 700X using published recipes. Use those in the Full choke barrel for those longer shots!

I’m sure a Disclaimer Statement is not required as anyone who reloads knows of the potential risk associated with doing same.

[Double Lab]

Thanks for the info Bill. You're preaching to the choir here. I've been loading .75 oz loads with a load right out of the Hodgdon manual. 16.1gr Clays, CB 1075-12 wad, WW209 in a GunClub hull. 1150fps @7500psi. My supply of Clays is dwindling so when it is exhausted I too will try Titewad as i have 8lbs. on hand. The Titewad load looks even more promising as it is listed in the Hodgdon manual as producing 6700psi @ 1150fps using 15.5gr., same hull and primer I'm going to try your loads as soon as I dig up some of the filler wads which I have somewhere in my loading arsenal. They sound great.

[Bill Jolliff]

Hi Daryl,

If you can't find any of those 20 gauge card wads, let me know and I can mail you some to make up some test loads.

And great meeting you at Hausmann's.

[Autumn Daze]

Daryl, your gonna love Titewad. I switched when my Clays supply was exhausted I,m not going back.

[Double Lab]

Thanks Bill, I'll let you know. Likewise on meeting you. See... another one of the benefits of those high dollar shoots.

Dave, I can see on paper that Titewad is gonna be a winner. What are loading with it?

[Autumn Daze]

Let me check my load tonight Daryl and I'll get back to ya.

[Steve Hodges]

I agree with Dave. I have been using some Titewad lately and really like the results.

[Kensal Rise]

In my experience, Titewad leaves a LOT of unburned powder with 3/4 oz loads... unless you use a hot primer like Federal 209 or CCI magnums. But hot primers add a bit more pressure. Although not much.

[Harold Pickens]

I use 16 gr Red Dot w 7/8 0z and CB 1078 grey wads. I have 2 lbs of Titewad that i almost sold--glad i kept it, and I was going to use that 15.5 gr load that Daryl posted. Just about out of RD, but I shoot much more 16 and 20 ga than i do 12.

[OH Osthaus]

and i have two i just bought