12 gauge light loads

[Bill Jolliff]

Originally Posted by Tracy Pellett

I’m starting to load for 12 gauge shells . What powder do you recommend for light loads . Most of the loads I’m looking at are 9000 psi or higher . Also it looks like Longshot is a good powder for 16 gauge . Thanks for any suggestions. Tracy

Tracy,

If you want to go light, I've been using Alliant Extra Light (14.0 grains) to load 12 gauge with 1/2 ounce of lead shot.

I use 3/4 ounce Clay Buster pink wads, CB0175-12, (for a tapered hull, ie Remington STS, etc.) with a 20 gauge nitro card (0.620"dia by 0.135" thick) in the bottom of the wad. I get that nitro card from Craig Smith of Circle Fly wads.

I had Tom Armbrust test them about 9 years ago. Pressure around 5500 psi with speed around 1350 feet/second.

If you're looking for 3/4 ounce, there are published loads for that. Claybuster has recipes for 3/4 ounce on the back of the label that comes with their 3/4 ounce wads.

Send me a PM if you would like more details. I should add that there is no recoil with those 1/2 ounce loads.

Bill

[Researcher]

I don't go to Jolly's extreme, but I've shot tens of thousands of 12-gauge STS handloaded with Remington 209P primer, 16.4 Grains of Clays, Remington TGT12S wad and 7/8-ounce of shot. The loading manuals state 1200 fps and 6300 psi.