16ga.com ~ View topic - And the results are in !!!!! DR16 load testing results.

Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 224

I got my load testing data back from Tom Armbrust today. Here are the results. You guys can make what you want out of it and use loads at your own risk! The loads are listed exactly as tested. All loads are 6 point fold crimp, 2 3/4" hulls.

Load #1:

-3/4 oz #7 1/2 magnum lead shot (Lawrance)
-Cheddite Blue 16 ga. Hull
-Win209 Primer
-19 grains Greendot
-DR16 wad

Fps: 1315, 1358, 1350 (AVE 1341, sd 22, ev 43)
PSI: 7800, 8800, 8600 (AVE 8400, ev 800)

Load #2:

-7/8 oz #7 1/2 magnum lead shot (Lawrance)
-Cheddite Blue 16 ga. Hull
-Win209 Primer
-18 grains Greendot
-DR16 wad

Fps: 1281, 1270, 1268 (AVE 1273, sd 7, ev 12)
PSI: 10300, 10200, 10200 (AVE 10233, ev 100)

Load #3:

-7/8 oz #7 1/2 magnum lead shot (Lawrance)
-Cheddite Blue 16 ga. Hull
-Win209 Primer
-22 grains Universal
-DR16 wad

Fps: 1378, 1374, 1386 (AVE 1379, ev 12)
PSI: 11400, 10900, 11000 (AVE 11100, ev 500)

Enjoy Very Happy

YEEEE HAWWW!!

The 7/8 ounce Green Dot load looks AWESOME.
Great reloading , great crimps!!
Thanks for sharing
Mike

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338

Joined: 06 Mar 2008 Posts: 596 Location: 17603

bowbuilder,

Thanks for posting! #1 & #3 are very similar to what I've been shooting.

Cheers,
R*2

Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 224

Joined: 15 Jan 2009 Posts: 728

Energy delivered to the target is the only true meaasure of lethality so I prefer extra payload (up to a point) to extra velocity for hunting loads. Increasing the speed of a load from 1200-1400fps increases energy delivered to the target by 17% (200/1200). Game bird necropsies I have done (i.e. dressing birds for supper) indicate that 4 or 5 appropriately sized pellets will cleanly kill almost any game bird so even 1 more pellet in my target increases energy delivered to the target by 20 to 25% (1/4 to 1/5). Given that the slower heavier load leaves a longer shot string with more pellets the probability of that extra pellet hitting the target is higher than the faster load. There is also the possibility that a faster pellet will pass through the bird and residual energy of the pass through pellet is wasted.

On the other hand fewer pellets in the bird certainly wastes less meat and a faster shot string requires less lead on target so there are also advantages to faster loads. Of course like everything involving shotguns and wingshooting this is all a lot of scientific hokum anyway and you really should shoot whatever loads you prefer and shoot well, which are, most likely, the same thing.

Guest

Spike, that was very well put, and I tend to go for pattern quality and a load I can shoot with confidence over high velocity. I'll take the extra pellet or two on target every time.

That said, I have no problem with other approaches such as high velocity if it works for someone.

Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1460 Location: Eagle, Nebraska

the universal load looks to be on the high side of pressure. But I like the velocities. What would 19gr of Green Dot do in the 7/8oz load? I would like to see the velocities at least 1300fps.

Guest

Bowbuilder,

That is good work. There are some good starting points for other loads that guys might want.

Hootch, whats wrong with #3? Max is 11,500 PSI. That is a good load by anyones standards, very consistent too.

Guest

Bowbuider, you're loads look good! (Your Load #2 is outstanding!)

I wonder what a slightly faster powder would do in your load #!?

Any thoughts from the peanut gallery? Smile

Guest

Hi Dave,

Before you go changing powders, you have plenty of room to work with, so try a CCI 209M or Fed209A before a powder change. Either of those primers will probably raise the pressure enough to make the load consistent. I like the Federal 209A for the first go around.

Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1460 Location: Eagle, Nebraska

I get a little nervous around the 11,000 mark. Would be okay in the citori, but I might be a bit hesitant to run them through the parker or belgian SW16.

Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 224

Just because I tested these loads with 7 1/2's, doesn't mean I plan on loading 7 1/2's when I go hunting. I used 7 1/2's because smaller shot causes higher pressures than larger shot, and 7 1/2's was as small as I had on hand. (If you don't believe me about this, call Tom.)

I plan on, for example, loading the 3/4 oz load with #4's or #5's for use as a rabbit load. For rabbits, I like a fast, heavy pellet to get through the brush, but not many of them to keep from destroying the meat.