Testing Reloads

[Jeff S.]

Originally Posted by Stan Hillis

I usually email Tom Armbrust instead of calling. He doesn't do email himself but there is a lady who answers them for him.

Good to know. Thanks Stan.

[Jeff S.]

Thanks to all of you that helped me contact Tom Armbrust. I shipped 9 shells to him on Monday, April 23rd and received his results in the mail today (Tuesday, May 2nd). I consider that outstanding customer service. Kudos to Tom for his fast service.

Now, for the rest of the story. I now understand the importance of “testing”. If I learn something (factual), I’ll share it. My results were not what I had hoped. On 16ga.com I found a posting that said, “For 3/4 and 7/8 oz. loads, Green Dot is hard to beat. It has the perfect burning rate and pressure range for these light loads and the recoil is very mild.”

Okay, don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Also, that post was dated 4/20/2005. Based on this and a few other documents, I purchased a keg of Green Dot.

Since then, I have found posts on 16ga.com indicating that the manufacturing process for Green Dot has changed and it appears to be “hotter” than it was. That’s a little vague. I then found where a guy had posted his actual test results. He said that using a Cheddite hull, CH209 primer, 16 gr of GD, DR16 wad and 7/8 of shot. He posted test results of velocity: 1196 and pressure: 7837.

I used SG16 wads. Then I tried to load them with charges of Green Dot: 15.2 gr., 15.8 gr., and 16.2 gr. WOW! My test results were a lot different!!! Way too hot. The lowest of my test samples (15.2 gr) had velocity of 1200 and pressure in the 10,000 - 11,000. To put this in perspective, a 16 ga. shell with 7/8 of lead from RST has pressure in the 5400 - 6000.

Well, it back to the drawing board. I’ve heard people say that they like “Universal” and “Hodgdon 2028” for 16 ga. shells. I’ll try to find one of these next. Do any of you have a preference? I hope that someone else finds this information beneficial. Sincerely, Jeff

[Mike of the Mountain]

Steggy, might want to drop your powder charge to maybe the 13.5 to 14g range and have it tested?

[Stan Hoover]

Thanks for sharing your results Jeff,

I had set out to reload low pressure shells for my 1880 16 gauge. I researched suggested reloading info and decided I would try Longshot since it was supposed to give pretty low pressures. I followed the book and took them for a spin.
I did not have them tested, but they had noticeably more recoil than the Federal factory loads, I was disappointed.
I had came into some RST 2 1/2" 16 gauge loads again and haven't tried a different powder yet.
Fortunately there's a boat load of information shared by the different fellows on here for the 16, so it's back to giving it another go.
Stan

[Aaron Beck]

Green dot may still be fine for 3/4 oz loads with the sg16 and cheddite everything else.
As mike said, maybe backing off the powder would help too.
as far as i can tell, the dr16 wad is a cupcake. it crushes easily and may or may not give as tight a seal as the sg16 which doesnt crush much thus the higher pressure. Thanks for testing, and sharing the results.

[Mike of the Mountain]

Stan, John Davis posted some nice load data for the 16 using Longshot. Low recoil, low pressures and it’s a hunting load. I used them this past season with very good results.

[Stan Hoover]

Mike,

I will look for that,

Longshot has been one of the more available powders and I have a good stock of it.

Thanks

[Jeff S.]

Well, because I wasn't happy with the results I received, I shipped 3 more samples to Tom Armbrust for testing. By reducing the grains of powder, I was able to drop the pressure. Unfortunately, the velocity is probably too low. I'll share my results:

16 ga. RST Hull, 2 1/2", Cheddite 209 primer, 13.5 gr of Green Dot, SG16 Wad, 7/8 of #8 shot produced 8,500 pressure and velocity of 1,082. Not Bad!

16 ga. RST Hull 2 1/2", Cheddite 209 primer, 11.0 gr. of Green Dot, SG16 Wad, 7/8 oz of #8 shot produced 6,500 pressure and velocity of 931. Pretty slow.

16 ga. RST Hull, 2 1/2", Cheddite 209 primer, 10.5 gr of Green Dot, SG16 Wad, 7/8 oz of
#8 shot produced 5800 pressure and velocity of 875. I'll probably be able to see the shot string leave the barrel.

The first sample using 13.5 grains of powder generating 8,500 psi is probably usable, but a little high. For comparison purposes, let's look at RST. A 16 ga. RST Falcon Lite uses 7/8 oz of shot and it has pressure of 5,400 and velocity of 1125. NICE! I wish I knew what powder they use.

I suppose I could drop down to 3/4 oz of shot. That would probably drop the pressure a little. Any suggestions?

I have found some recipes that achieve pressures in the 6000-7000 range, but they require SR 7625 powder and I have not been able to locate any. Sincerely, Jeff

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Jeff Stegmeier

I have found some recipes that achieve pressures in the 6000-7000 range, but they require SR 7625 powder and I have not been able to locate any. Sincerely, Jeff

I’ve probably got close to two thousand 16 gauge 1 ounce loaded with SR4756 and using the SP-16 wad in the old smooth WIN AA style 16 gauge hulls that’s a soft target breaking load . Only problem like 7625 , 4756 is just as difficult to obtain . Luckily I’ve got a good supply of 7625 (none for sale) . But my 7625 is for all 10 gauge loads as well as buck/slug loads for the 12-16 and 20 .

[Aaron Beck]

roll crimping might lower the pressure further, but a different powder would likely be a better bet if you want super low. UNIQUE is still available and it is what I intend to use as a substitute for 7625 and universal.
I have wondered if the rst pressures are slightly more these days with component changes?