Very light 20 ga handloads

[Deaf Smith]

Guys,

I have a kid who can't take field load from his Mossburg 20 gauge pump.

Now I have a reloader for 20 ga. Lee Load All II.

I would like to come up with a load he can handle. Same near .410 in power.

I have plenty of shot, Unique power, and I'll get wads and primers tomorrow.

So any suggestions as for a good handload? Any way to reduce the shot weight? Or will 7/8th ounce work at about 1000 fps?

Thanks

Deaf

 

[SHR970]

About the slowest speed you will find a recipe for on the Alliant site is 1155 fps. with both 3/4 oz. and 7/8 oz. loads. (Pretty much the same applies to the Hodgdon data too.) There is at least one recipe for Unique and 3/4 oz. but the pressures are very low...you would be better off with the Green Dot loads for better ignition and a better burn.

 

[gamestalker]

SHR70 has a pretty good idea there with the Green Dot. But for the sake of safety, always follow a published recipe concerning powder charge, shot charge, and wad column. You may end up with inverted crimps, or even a wad getting stuck in the barrel due to low pressures, bulged barrel comes to mind.

GS

 

[rcmodel]

How olds the kid??

If under 10, wait until he is bigger next year.

If over 10?
Wait until he is ready and wanting to shoot a 20 Ga.
DO NOT force him!

I started with a 12 Ga single-shot when I was 8 or so.

But I was a teenager before I got over the flench my dad induced on me by making me shoot a gun that kicked way too hard before I got hair on my Ba --- ahhh, under my armpits!!

Bottom line?
Don't rush it.

rc

 

[PJSprog]

My fiance - who is a small woman - has a Remington 870 youth model, and was not pleased with factory loads...to the point that she wouldn't shoot the gun. We tried "reduced recoil" loads and found them to be even stouter. I bought a Lee Load-All II in 20g and loaded some shells with the smallest bushings on both sides (don't remember the numbers off-hand), using Hodgdon Universal and #4 lead. No idea what the numbers are for this load, but it goes boom and did a fine number on a cardboard box. She loves it, and now it's her new "critter gun."

 

[oneounceload]

I have a kid who can't take field load from his Mossburg 20 gauge pump.

Not too many adults can either

you need to load a 3/4oz 20 gauge load using CB-1075-20 wads (lime green)

Unique will work with a charge between 14.5, 15.5, or 16.5

go with the 14.5 to see how they function

 

[oneounceload]

I bought a Lee Load-All II in 20g and loaded some shells with the smallest bushings on both sides (don't remember the numbers off-hand), using Hodgdon Universal and #4 lead. No idea what the numbers are for this load, but it goes boom and did a fine number on a cardboard box. She loves it, and now it's her new "critter gun."

SERIOUSLY?

You have NO idea what your load is?

You are asking for some potential serious injury. RTFM and follow the recipes before she or you get hurt

 

[Deaf Smith]

Not too many adults can either

you need to load a 3/4oz 20 gauge load using CB-1075-20 wads (lime green)

Unique will work with a charge between 14.5, 15.5, or 16.5

go with the 14.5 to see how they function

That's a plan.

I'll go by the local stores an find some CB-1075-20 wads (lime green) and use 3/4 oz of shot.

And I'll test it in my own gun till I'm satisfied it's safe (yes I don't want a wadding stuck in the barrel.)

He has a pump so I'll also personally test that to. Lowest change and work up (if needed to be safe.)

Thanks,

Deaf

 

[oneounceload]

I use that load with great success in ALL of my 20 gauge guns - they are all break open, but they SMASH targets