Light load advice

[William Davis]

Loading 7/8 oz for my well stocked VH 12. Straight out of the Hodgdon manual 17.8 (my Mec is throwing 17.7) Titewad @ 8,600 psi 1250 fps. Works well on Clay targets.

Have my eye on a older Damascus Parker though. Hodgdon has a 3/4 oz load, 15.3 of Titewad. Manual says 6,700 psi 1150 fps.

Think it's a good idea to go to the lighter 3/4 oz load for Damascus guns ? This one could afford to give up a little performance on clays. What do you guys usually run in the older Parker's.

Bill

[Double Lab]

I've been using that exact 3/4oz load for a while now and found that I've given nothing up in performance compared to the 7/8oz load. What with the cost of lead lately it's a win/win situation. You will love it and so will your Parker.

[Kensal Rise]

For what it is worth, I've been shooting thousands of 3/4 oz loads for years now. And I would NEVER go back to 7/8! As noted, you give up nothing and gain much. My Damascus guns love them... and so does my shoulder!

[William Davis]

Thanks all

Think I will keep my eye open for 3/4 oz charge bar and lighter powder bushing. If
Going 3/4 for one might as well load 3/4 for all. Save complication.

Bill

[charlie cleveland]

bill you will save money and will love those 3/4 ounce loads but those old damascus barrels will take heavier load every once in a while and keep up smiling...charlie

[Double Lab]

Bill;
If you are using a MEC, buy an adjustable charge bar. No more bushings and bars to fool with and you can dial in exactly what you want with accurate repetition from load to load.

[Paul Harm]

Yes to all above - especially the ACB. I have them for my 600 and 9000H. They're just great. All I shoot is 3/4oz for SC's, 5-stand and skeet or trap. You won't notice a difference.

[Jeff Christie]

Define light. I have had excellent results with a 1 1/16 oz Bismuth 12 ga load (notox reqd on public lands in Iowa) on wild roosters. Go below an ounce and you are going to cripple a LOT of birds I don't care how good a shot you think you are. I haven't lost a bird yet- more attribute to the quality of the dogs than my shooting. I have used this load in both fluid and Damascus barreled Parkers. I too like the 7/8 and 3/4 oz loads on clay targets but won't go that route on something that lives.

[Paul Harm]

Jeff, that's fine. If you like what you're shooting then keep on doing it. I believe most of the guys are talking about target shooting - clay birds. An 1 1/16oz load for hunting in a 12ga would also be a light load in my opinion. But it also sounds like a damn fine load. Glad to hear you're not losing any birds.

[Jeff Christie]

I share your sentiments on clay targets. When I miss w/ a 3/4 or 7/8 oz load, I wouldn't have chipped it with a normal trap or skeet load. It is just wild (not preserve) birds that I believe require an ounce at a minimum.