12 Gauge unburnt powder problem

[sectionut]

Just started loading shotshell 12 gauge. I've got 4 extra pounds of hodgdon universal so i started there. Here's my load info. 2 3/4 federal plastic hull. Waa12 wad. Cci 209 primer. 25gr of universal. 1 1/8oz lead shot #6. Shell loads and crimps well. The problem i'm having is when i fire them it leaves a horrid mess in the barrel. Unburnt or partial burnt powder. According to the load data 25gr is the max load. From reading other posts the most common remidy was to increase the charge. I stopped at the max load. Im out of ideas since im new and don't know all the tricks. I've read that others don't have any issue with universal.

 

[NCsmitty]

That load should work, but apparently, it's not for you.

Either you need to change to a hotter primer, or your powder may have drawn some moisture and is causing the "mess" that you mentioned.

Try a Winchester 209 first to see if it makes a difference. This is one of the primers used in Hodgdon's load data at their site. It is the only primer that I use in my 410 loads.
I have read that CCI 209's are the least robust of all the US primers.

Take a look at this article, as it has some interesting data on pressures and velocity when substituting primers.

www.armbrust.acf2.org/primersubs.htm



NCsmitty

 

[sectionut]

Yeah i was thinking about making that change. I have a brick of remington sts primers i acquired from a buddy so i may try that. I also considered changing powder as i can use the universal in my handgun loads. What powders are good for less powerful primers? Thanks for the info on primers.

 

[oneounceload]

Hodgdon does NOT show a CCI primer - Winchester 209 or Federal 209A - you're getting an incomplete burn - most likely due to the primer - follow the published recipe

You cannot just substitute components like folks do with metallic

 

[sectionut]

I've specifically asked that question about switching primers to folks that reload an have gotten mixed answers. I knew my cci's were on the lower end of the scale in terms of ignition. I think i'll shelve the cci primers and find another load that works well with them.