16ga Handloads - Pressure Test Results

[Mike of the Mountain]

I use Unique and Longshot for my 16g loads with good results for both. One thing I do is cut a 16g fiber wad in 1/3 and seat that under my SG16 wad to build up the column and give me a nice fold crimp. Those Longshot loads that you posted and that John Davis posted are very low pressure but they break clays and kill birds rather easily.

[Keith Doty]

I'm a believer that good shot patterns is what kills, not necessarily how fast it went. At any reasonable velocity if the bird and shot is at the same place at the same time he's gonna meet a Lab. My goal is to get all the loads I shoot from the 12 or 15 shotguns I shoot year around to 1200 FPS with as low a pressure as I can and maintain consistency. My thought here is simply it makes me a better shot when the leads are the same, less thinking required! More bird on the plate! I've been through many yards of butcher paper clipped to fence wire over the years in search of the perfect pattern. Interesting, having patterned a number of the newer "super velocity" shells, particularly nontoxic waterfowl loads with friends, the patterns disappoint, some just plain ragged and ugly. Now, come off the 2D paper and stretch that mess out in 3 dimensions as a shot string, I think the bird is getting an advantage and more crips result, more clays fly thru the holes.

[Mike of the Mountain]

I'm with you. Speed doesn't kill when it comes to shotguns. I prefer 1600-1800 FPS, but I can live with 1200-1220 in some loads. You actually need a difference of 150 FPS or more to have any notable change of lead due to speed and then you're only talking 6"-8" of change of impact.

[Keavin Nelson]

The Longshot load is surprisingly low pressure. But I have never used overpowder card wads to stop powder migration. I have used wads to take up stack height.
A tested load (from another member) using same hull with a 6 petal crimp, using Chedd CX-2000 primers, only 18.4grn Longshot, produced slightly faster velocity but the pressure was over 6200, so a significant gap. Perhaps the primer is that much hotter??

[Aaron Beck]

To add to that last idea, There were some green dot loads recently which were also much hotter with a fold crimp. I wouldnt assume these very appealing results could be had with the fold crimp substitution. Thanks for posting these.

[Harold Pickens]

Brett, thanks for posting your results. I do believe I'll use some of those loads. But star crimp them ,pressure will increase just slightly. Now I've got to order some bismuth 5s and 7s..
Is there a royalty fee for every bird I shoot with them?

[Brett Trimble]

Harold,

I plagiarized these loads. Hope I don’t have to pay a royalty… on all the birds I’ll MISS with them.

Best,
Brett

[Aaron Beck]

Brett
just curious if the greendot container has a green or black lid?

[Keith Doty]

Brett, I've been shooting 2 1/2" 7/8oz. loads of bismuth out of several of my 16s with Longshot for a while. I use SG16 wads and a 6 point crimp, pressures slightly higher than yours but still sub 6K and with good variations, quicker and easier than roll crimping. Easy on wood and shooters alike. I discovered this fall my Browning Sweet 16 cycles them perfectly as well with the bushing set for "light" loads (was shooting 7/8 oz. lead at doves, my 16 ga. quail load). I also use the Longshot in my Damascus 10s and 12s for the low pressure and 1200 fps velocity.

[Brett Trimble]

I bought an adjustable charge bar. One way to skin the cat..