Reloading for QUIET 12g birdshot?

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wasa

wasa

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I would like to reload (or I if I have to, buy) quiet 12 gauge shotgun shells. Think CCI 22LR Quiets, minimal noise, good on a bird (grouse) at say 10-15 yards minimum. Don't need 30-40 yards.

I have a Lee Load-All, lots of different wads, powder, primers, and #7.5 and #9 shot but so far I haven't come across a published load that is subsonic and quiet. Anyone know of any published data for making quiet shells?

Another option I was thinking about is black powder shotgun loads (I have a Damascus barreled shotgun and I already load for it). I have had some success at black powder (well, Pyrodex) shells using 80 gr volume equivalent and #9 shot (making a "square load" with same volume Pyrodex and shot). Not as loud as my smokeless powder target loads. Was going to try 70 gr, 60 gr etc. Anyone have an idea how low I can go with Pyrodex? 50gr? 40gr? Yes, I can always load up a bunch and try them out but wondering if anyone else has had success with low noise rounds before I make up a bunch of loads to try (which I will... grouse season doesn't open until September so I have a bit of time).

Thanks
 
Be careful. It's easy for a wad to get stuck in the barrel.
If you hear a bloop noise. Stop immediately.
Look for the fastest burn rate powder with the lowest velocity. That should be the quietest.
 
George P said:
Hastings used to sell a barrel extension for some shotguns that screwed into the choke tube thread in the barrel that basically acted like a legal (as in no paperwork) suppressor. It was made by Verney-Carron in France IIRC
https://www.hastingsdistribution.com/index.php?l=product_list&c=32
It wasn't totally quiet, but you didn't need hearing protection
Click to expand...
Interesting. Might not be practical for hiking in the woods looking for grouse/rabbits but good to know. Thanks!
 
Black powder isn’t all that quiet, and the 80 gr volume would take up too much space and force you to trim wads and such. I can’t remember right off hand what I used in 16ga but it wasn’t much and it still barks a little but doesn’t have a whole lot of bite.
 
If I was going to load quite 12ga, I would be looking for a load using the fastest burning powders, such as AA nitro100nf.
Use it only on 1oz and lighter shells.
 
I'd be looking for Winchester's trainer loads at 980 fps - they won't work a semi but they will in a pump, O/U or SxS
 
Light loads of RedDot for a 12ga.

I’m loading GreenDot in a 20ga 7/8oz load that just barely cycles my action. It’s mild but patterns marvelously, is clean, and recoils lightly.
With #6’s it hits like a lead fist because of the even dense pattern.
 
GooseGestapo said:
Light loads of RedDot for a 12ga.

I’m loading GreenDot in a 20ga 7/8oz load that just barely cycles my action. It’s mild but patterns marvelously, is clean, and recoils lightly.
With #6’s it hits like a lead fist because of the even dense pattern.
Click to expand...

I have a few pounds of Alliant Promo, understand it's RedDot but denser. Lowest velocity I see on Alliant's website is 1,090 ft/s, at least with the wads I have. Hoping to load up some Pyrodex rounds before the weekend and take the dog for a walk carrying my DB shotgun. Crows, starlings, etc always in season.
 
Actually,I’m told Promo IS RedDot without the dots or advertising.
Nevertheless, it’ll do what you need.
 
GooseGestapo said:
Actually,I’m told Promo IS RedDot without the dots or advertising.
Nevertheless, it’ll do what you need.
Click to expand...
It is similar in that you use the same data but the volume drop will not be the same. (Current rumor is that it is the sweepings off the floor from the Red Dot line)
 
I found some nirto100nf loads and they were all pretty hot.
I don't know if western powders was affraid loads that produce less than 1,150 fps would always clear a 28 inch barrel and potentially leave a wad behind or what.
 
I've been experimenting with lighter loads for 12ga with 7/8 oz of shot and 14.4 gr IMR Red. There is definitely less recoil but I would not call them quiet. I am not sure I have ever heard the word quiet when associated with shotgun.
 
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Skeptic13 said:
I've been experimenting with lighter loads for 12ga with 7/8 oz of shot and 14.4 gr IMR Red. There is definitely less recoil but I would net call them quiet. I am not sure I have ever heard the word quiet when associated with shotgun.
Click to expand...
Use that Metro barrel and you'll experience that. I load 3/4oz (I'm cheap and I get 533 rounds from a bag of shot) and the recoil in a 8.5# 12 gauge is negligible.
 
I’m purchasing. Metro Gun Systems legal “suppressor” for my Remington 11-87. The owner suggests I look for loads under the “Hurco” website. I know of Herco, nut not Hurco. Can someone suggest experimental loads. I have a 100 shells of Winchester light noise/recoil but those will run out. I’d like to have some proven loads for this long barrel extension which attaches to my Rem. Choke barrel.
 
I've gone very light with RD (by accident) with 1 oz loads. A piece of powder can lid seal got in my bushing and I didn't catch it for most of a box. Don't know how light they were, but definitely subsonic and quiet. Load was in GM hull with clay buster 12s0. They broke clays except a couple that blooped visibly out the barrel and burned cleanly.
I'd go with 1 1/8 of 6 if I were to try it on grouse. RD in my experience can be safely reduced below published minimum in both shotgun and metallic with relatively linear results. I use it for mouse fart. 38 and 30-06 loads also.
 
I’m anxious for the barrel extension to arrive. My purpose is to trim some tree limbs. I’m not allowed on ladders due to spinal injuries. The owner, one nice guy, stated there would be zero recoil.
 
Standard load disclaimers - don't do this!

Well, I'm getting close. Loaded up a bunch of shells using my Lee dippers and a "square load". All of the 3.X loads were too loud for me. The 2.x ones were good. The 1.9 scoop of Pyrodex under 1.9 cc of #7.5 shot ended up melting the plastic hull in my chamber (or the primer did) so 1.9 is too light. Had difficulty getting the shell out.

Now to try the 2.2 and 2.5 scoops with different scoops of shot (i.e. 2.2 Pyrodx with 2.5 shot).
 
My one shotgun is an 18” cylinder qScattergun Technologies K-9 (Remington 11-87 Police with three barrels) This is the lightest recoiling shotgun I’ve experienced. I can only afford one kind of gun and after much consideration I purchased it new, in the 1980’s, adding a special purpose rifled barrel and special purpose vent rib 26” Remchoke barrel. The fore-grip is a Sure Fire and the RDS is a Vortex Venom. I have taken hog with the rifled barrel and dove and quail. I know there are fancier shotguns out there, but I would never part with this old favorite.
Upon removing the four shell side saddle, recently, I sadly discovered some surface discoloration (rust) on the parkerized finish. I’ve read up on methods to remove such rust. If anyone has removed rust from a truly parkerized finish I’d be eager to learn what methods produced the best results. I love parkerized finishes because they tend to retain anti corrosion rust preventatives. I also just like the look.
 
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