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< 16ga. Ammunition & Reloading ~ 7/8 oz Red Dot: Good Preliminary Results |
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Posted:
Sat Sep 11, 2021 10:02 am
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Joined: 08 Feb 2009
Posts: 1308
Location: Western WA
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As posted here earlier, we were looking for a 7/8 oz Red Dot load at 1225+ FPS. We basically achieved it in our very first try.
An array of 7/8 oz loads were prepared from 15 gr to 19 gr Red Dot in half grain increments, using 2 1/2” Herters hulls with SG16S wads and Rio Primers. The fit was perfect with no filler or cards. Surprise! The 15 gr loads hit 1225 FPS right on the button with excellent consistency.
I might as well have stopped right there, but out of curiosity I continued the testing with the M12 and Chrony. Each half grain increment gave increased muzzle velocity. At 17 gr it topped 1300 FPS, but with very wide velocity spread and excessive muzzle blast. We didn’t need either of that, so I ceased the tests.
We’ll likely go with the closest MEC bushing on the upside of 15 gr, so a couple boxes will be loaded and tested for velocities and patterns, and on clay targets. I expect to confirm our preliminary results, which we are quite pleased with so far.
V/R
B. |
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Posted:
Sat Sep 11, 2021 10:51 am
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Joined: 21 Mar 2019
Posts: 523
Location: Texas
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Brewster11
I load the exact same load in brass for 16, and use fiber wads. It patterns great. Very nice load. Your patterns should be very good at 30-40 yards. I usually use a Winchester or Federal 209. |
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Posted:
Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:10 am
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Member
Joined: 15 Mar 2007
Posts: 601
Location: Virginia
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For years my skeet load for use in a Sweet Sixteen was 16 grains Red Dot under 1 oz No. 9 shot. Later I went to 20 grains Green Dot under 7/8 oz shot. This cycles the action reliably. Long-recoil guns have parameters of shot weight and velocity that have to be met; as shot weight goes down, velocity has to go up. It won't matter with a gas gun as long as pressure requirement is met. |
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Posted:
Fri Sep 17, 2021 2:58 pm
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Joined: 08 Feb 2009
Posts: 1308
Location: Western WA
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Went through a couple boxes at the trap range and shot a few rounds at the pattern board today with excellent results. 7/8 oz doesn’t break targets with quite the authority of 1 oz loads but thoroughly splatters the targets if I get a good look and steady swing. And there’s no slap on the cheek from the little M12 like with the 1 oz loads. I can shoot it all day long.
The 7/8 oz patterns are outstanding, more uniform and a little tighter than 1 oz. Curiously, the POI is an inch or two higher than 1 oz loads at 16 yds. I was expecting the opposite.
All in all the 7/8 oz Ref Dot load will be an excellent option for my clay target use, especially with the lightweight 16 ga repeaters.
V/ R
B. |
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Posted:
Fri Sep 17, 2021 3:50 pm
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Member
Joined: 08 Nov 2005
Posts: 3438
Location: Illinois
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I've tried Red Dot w/several 2 3/4" hulls with no luck.I would like to have your load pressure checked----just to be sure. |
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Posted:
Sat Sep 18, 2021 7:29 am
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Joined: 24 Jun 2013
Posts: 2067
Location: canandaigua - western n.y. (formerly deerhunter)
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yeah , I woulda stopped right at your 1st load . |
_________________ Molly sez AArrrooooooah ! |
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Posted:
Sat Sep 18, 2021 7:15 pm
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Joined: 16 Jul 2015
Posts: 2125
Location: Hudson,Wy
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I shoot a similar load, but with Green Dot, as my "back up" load in the tight barrel when I hunt blue grouse. 7/8 oz. is a pleasant load for close to mid range shots on any bird. The mild recoil is nice too. |
_________________ Only catch snowflakes on your tongue AFTER the birds fly south for the winter... |
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