Mec Powder Bushings

[loose noose]

Has anyone else noted that the powder bushings throw a lot less powder than what the paperwork says it will throw? For example the 23 powder bushing is supposed to throw 15.8 grains of Unique, however mine consistently throws 14.2, which was verified by a beam scale as well as a digital. Further the 24 bushing is supposed to drop 16.4 however it only drops 15.5, which happens to be the load I need in my 20 ga. using WW shells, along with a Fioche primer,7/8 oz. of shot, and a CB1078-20 wad.

 

[Poper]

Sometimes.
Depends on weather (humidity) and, especially, the powder.

I replaced my charge bars with an adjustable charge bar several years ago. Man! What a difference! And not for a lot of money!
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Mult...=58018947671&gclid=CI7c8Zbh07oCFWqCQgod80sA_A

Now if I could just figure out what to do with all these old charge bars and powder bushings....

Poper

 

[oneounceload]

MEC bushings ALWAYS drop lighter than the chart says and have for decades. Plan on using a bushing one or two numbers larger. Compounding it even more, the single stage 600s throw differently than the progressives.

One thing is paramount, no matter which machine or bushing you wind up using, you need to utilize a repetitive and methodical routine to keep the drops consistent. If you haven't installed the red PC powder baffle, do so - NOT the zinc metal one, the red plastic PC one. That helps. Even using a Universal charge bar requires a repetitive routine in how you operate the charge bar and the handle. I pretty much slap my bar both ways on my single stage presses. This adds a certain amount of vibration that helps keep the powder settled and flowing consistently. You also want to keep your bottles fairly full at a constant level, say between 1/3 to 2/3 or similar to keep drops consistent

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I haven't been at it very long but I have noticed the same. Using Unique and Red Dot, I'm prolly averaging 0.3 grains lighter than advertised.

 

[243winxb]

The single stage 600s throw more powder than a progressives loader, using the exact same bushing.

 

[loose noose]

My 12ga. is fairly accurate of course I'm using Red
dot powder, as well as my .410 in which I've used H110 and WW-296, both w/I about .2 of a grain. It only seems to be most apparent in the 20ga. BTW all 3 presses are the older 600 Mec Jr. in which I've had since the early '70s.

I've shot a lot of Trap using the 12ga. as well as hunting pheasant, chucker, partridge, quail and dove, however lately I've been using the .410 for quail and dove, and as the season goes on I switch to the 20ga.

Does anyone have any ideas on perhaps a different choice of powder to be used in the 20ga. The vast majority of empties I have are WW AA, with a few RXPs. Also let me know if you've used that powder, as I'm aware of a lot of different powder that is recommended for the 20ga.

 

[oneounceload]

I like Universal Clays for 20, but good luck finding it now - they had a fire in Australia at the plant. 20/28 was made for - you guessed it, 20 and 28 gauge. Green Dot works great for 3/4oz 20 gauge loads. Both Hodgdon and Alliant have on-line data where you plug in your hull, shot charge, etc. and it will give you the recipes

 

[loose noose]

Oneounce thanks for the pointers on Universal Clays and 20/28.Universal Clays is the powder I had been using with excellent success. Never heard of 20/28, who makes it by the way?

 

[oneounceload]

Here ya go:

http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/20_28.aspx

 

[loose noose]

Thanks oneounce, I located a dealer in Lake Havusu, that has a limited supply "Sams Shooting Supply" which is where I have to go anyway for my VA appointments. It's not all that far from here. Thanks again.

 

[gamestalker]

In more than 30 yrs. of using them they have always dropped lighter than indicated in the charts. I have modified mine for the powders I use, although I realize there are easier solutions available now days.

GS

 

[loose noose]

Just got a new 23 bushing, and guess what it throws 15.5 grn. of Unique consistently, now it only .3 of grn off of what is advertised. I do believe the other 23 bushing was mislabeled only dropping 14.2 grns. Actually now I've got two 24 bushings dropping the same amount of powder. Go figure?

 

[oneounceload]

Use a chrono to verify your velocity , and of course, a SCALE to verify powder drops

 

[Barr]

Bushings will throw varying shotgun powder charges depending on environmental conditions, loading technique, and lot-to-lot variation. That's why is it always good to be conservative in loading, be consistent with technique, and use a scale to verify powder charges whenever loading.