shotshell powder

[L_10_shooter]

I am looking at getting into shotshell reloading and need to pick a powder. I am looking to load 12 aguge 1oz 1200fps loads for trap and 3gun. Which would you pick greed dot or titewad and why?

 

[Steve C]

I've mostly used Red Dot for my target loads. Once shot up a lb of Green Dot and it worked well too.

 

[VegasOPM]

I like 700X. It is cheap, consistent and makes a heck of a trap load.

 

[L_10_shooter]

thanks for the replys.

I was looking at load data and liked the under 20 grains of powder and the lower pressures of, green dot and titwad, created from other powders.

 

[steve4102]

Red Dot

 

[Remo-99]

I was using Red Dot for 1oz and 7/8oz. Then tried Clays, and still use it now. But I'm mostly only pushing them at ~1100fps.

If I was looking at pushing them a little harder, I'd prolly drop down a burnrate to Green Dot or International.

 

[Galil5.56]

I am looking to load 12 aguge 1oz 1200fps loads

Your request has Red Dot, Clays, or 700x, WST written all over it. For the velocity you want with that weight, you will have reletivly low pressures even in 70-ish temps using compression formed cases and good sealing modern wads. Now substitute Green Dot or International Clays, and you are in the 6k-7500 psi range at 70 degree temps, and less in freezing/sub freezing temps.

Not saying you will have a blooper, or if the load won't function in a SA, just the same in my experience light and slow in 12 gauge says use a fast burner and a very firm crimp. I have loaded 1 oz with International Clays to a 1300 fps spec and it did OK, but prefer to use the powders I mentioned at the top and then only with compression formed cases. Now go up to 1 1/8 oz, and International Clays is my first choice for HV, International style loadings.

 

[_DMC]

Green Dot. I've used it for 40 years, hot and sub-zero temps, never had a problem with it. Red Dot or Promo would be a little cheaper but Green Dot is my favorite.

DC

 

[Galil5.56]

Might also look at Alliant's e3... It looks from their data that it would be a very good choice for what you want, and the pressures are where I would be comfortable with, especially should your shooting be in cold weather.

Also, make sure to check your shot weight and not assume the bushing is accurate. Same with the powder bushing too. If the shot bushing was calibrated using std grade shot, it will throw light with hard, lighter target grade varieties. This is especially important with the light/slow ammo you want to make where what you think is 1 oz is closer to 7/8, and the chance of bloopers/poor performance esp with slower propellants/cold weather increases.

 

[ADKWOODSMAN]

I'm with Galil.

Red Dot, Clays, or 700x

 

[Gofaster454]

I love the new e3! it is very very clean! I have tried all the "old tried and true" Red dot, Green dot, etc. e3 is a very fast burning powder, it works great in 7/8, 1, and 1-1/8 loads.

 

[moosehunt]

Red Dot is probably the most used powder for your application, but I found, through extensive comparison testing, that Green Dot shoots "softer" when maintaining equal velocity. Some say that Green Dot is dirty, and there is some truth to that, but when I was big into trap, i.e. 35-40,000 rounds per year, I shot Green Dot exclusively and cleaned my gun once a year whether it needed it or not--never experienced any difficulties associated with it's lack of cleanliness. The gun was the same level of "dirty" after 20,000 rounds as it was after 100 rounds.

 

[L_10_shooter]

Thanks for the info, I was reading more load data and like the velocity and pressures of clays. It is also can be used in 7/8, 1, 1 1/8 shot loads. My gun is a pump so no worries on running the action. I am going to be shooting trap and a few three gun matches so I need light recoil and cheap (reletivly speeking). I have noticed the faster powders use less powder (volume) than the slower powders. I know this is a dumb question but what is the cheapest shot in your area, here in Oregon its $40/25 pounds at bi mart. !yikes!

 

[winchester243]

I'll through another one out for you to look at - Solo 1000.

I've used Red Dot, Green Dot, Clays & Solo 1000. I liked Clays and Solo 1000 the best (but all were fine) but ultimately went with Solo 1000 cause the reloading guy who shows up at our meets sells it in 25# Kegs and it's/was the most cost effective way to buy the powder.

http://www.accuratepowder.com/data/solo1000.htm

I load 7/8, 1oz and 1 1/8 oz loads at 1200 fps, load data can be downloaded from the website. I use the Remington STS/Nitro Hulls and the appropriate Winchester Wads.

7/8oz = 17.9 grains = 6400psi
1 oz = 18.3 gr = 8800psi
1 1/8oz = 19.0 gr = 10800psi

My son started out with the 7/8oz loads when he was quite small (100lbs) in a single shot and the recoil was very manageable for him.

 

[AF_Reloader]

I'm using Red Dot (always have), and if you go to Connie's Components you can get 2 8lb kegs for $99.99 each (and that includes HAZMAT fees).

Dunno how much you need, but I go through 400 rounds a week, so I jumped on that deal. Make sure your wife understands how great of a deal that is before you buy it, though.

 

[L_10_shooter]

Haha that is a stellar deal AF_Loader. My girlfriend cringes every time I order stuff but hey whose wife/girlfriend doesn't. That is a very good deal I might have to go with red dot just for that reason. I wish I could afford shooting 400 rounds a week. I am shooting pistol matches AR matches and trap once in a while it gets expensive quick, wish the price of bullets would come down.