16ga.com ~ View topic

A friend of mine started reloading shot shells and of course he started asking me for advice. I used to reload a lot but haven't in many years so my information isn't up to date. His question was which powder was best, Hodgdons Universal or Hercules Unique. I couldn't give him a good answer. I never used Universal. I did use Unique but remembered most of the Hercules powders as being "dirty". I also seem to remember reading an article some years ago about Unique being cleaned up somewhat. Do any of you reloaders have some answers. The only thing i reload anymore is LiL Gun for a 22 Hornet so my knowledge of shotshell reloading is sort of dated.

Scolari

I have always used Hodgdon powders. I particularly like Universal because it is very clean and doesn't have the 'jolt' that comes with Longshot. I use Universal most of the time for 16ga, 20, and 28.

I'm loading Cheddite paper hulls from Graf's currently, and have a been using a similar recipe to one from BPI's 16ga. manual that I've used in their plastic hulls. BPI's lists as 1200 fps. at 8100 psi. I've not sent my version in for testing.

Cheddite paper (or plastic), 2 3/4"
Cheddite 209 primer
20.2 grains Hodgdon Universal
Rem. R-16 wad
1 oz. lead shot, 6pt crimp

The 6 point star works great in my MEC. i also roll crimp the paper hull with the same recipe and can't feel a difference.

Good luck, --Doug

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

12 ga-Solo 1000
16 " -Unique
20"-International Clays
28 ' Universal Clays
.410-WC 820(surplus powder)

Joined: 27 Feb 2007 Posts: 26 Location: Philippi, WV

The Hodgdon is a bit cleaner. Unique was dirty but has cleaned up a lot. I like the Hodgon powders.

Scolari
Is your buddy shooting and older gun / newer ? 16 ga. or one of them odd gauges Exclamation

Loading for clays / game ? Get him enlisted here and he'll get all the questions he can ask answered Laughing

I load tons of 28g and like Longshot and Universal, the latter being a bit cleaner, both really do the job;
I also load tons of 16g and have gone through 4-5 powders all of which have credit. But I've settled on Unique for my hotter clays loads (22gris plenty) and Green Dot for lighter skeet work, 17-18 grns. or so.
Stick tight to printed and published recipes. Try many, find the loved ones.
Best of Luck.

Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 38 Location: Ohio

IMR website has some Cowboy loads listed for the 16 ga. using 700X. I tried it with good results onr targets. (starlings too)
The IMR free reloading booklet has several 700X and 800X loads listed for the darling 16ga.

Thanks-many 12gauge friends swear by 700X, maybe I'll try it, thanks for the tip. Guess the starlings know what works.

Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 6

In my experience, shotguns like rifles depends upon the gun. After extensive pattern testing with possibly 30 different hull, powder, wad, and primer variations I found that IN MY GUN I get the most consistent pattern size and density (even distribution) with 800X in both 1oz and 1-1/8 oz.