Reasonably Light load for 12GA

[Black River Smith]

Could anyone suggest a good reasonable light (feather-light) load for 1 oz -7 1/2 or 9 - 12GA??

Please list the powder and amount range that you would use for a feather light to light load.

Also does anyone have a light load suggestion using IMR - PB powder?

These loads are to be used in a new modern 1887 Win lever shotgun that I am making shorter 2 1/2 paper shells for because they cycle better than standard 2 3/4.  Circle fly wads will be used to regulate heights.

Thanks

[Coffinmaker]

Oh GOODY!!  40Gr APP 2f with a 1 ounce Payload.  I do shoot reclaimed shot and DO recommend a shot cup.

[Baltimore Ed]

I brew my own too. My W-W ( plastic shells) 12 ga loads are a #381 powder bushing with an aftermarket CB0125 pink wad 3/4 oz #9 shot or a #408 powder bushing with a WW grey wad 3/4 oz #9 shot. Clay Dot powder used in both. I increased the powder because I was having problems with my cut bbl model 12 trenchgun build not taking down oblique targets. In sgs with a choke or straight on targets the lighter one works fine. They feel like WW Featherlights. Can't help you with the short shell though and of course that changes everything.

[Professor Marvel]

here is an older post by Sir Charles on the topic, which may be of help:
from
http://www.cascity.com/forumhall/index.php/topic,53346.0.html

snip-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sir Charles deMouton-Black
Re: Light 12 ga loads
« Reply #3 on: September 19, 2014, 06:08:54 pm »
You have to look at the whole system. But as Stu kettle says, a lighter shot load has the greatest effect in lowering recoil.

The RULE in loading shot shells with smokeless is NEVER VARY FROM A PUBLISHED RECIPE. So look through the reloading data bases for what you want.

Having said that, here is a formula that I have used in trap shooting for years, and carried over to CAS until I went to the Darkside;
-  Win A-A hulls (Old style- 'cause I have a bunch!)    ( R-P RST, Nitro27 or Gunclub are also very durable, and are close to the same capacity.)
- 209 primers of most sorts; - But see the rule in CAPS. above.
- 16 - 17 grains of Red Dot or better still Green Dot.
- AA or Claybuster pink wads for 1 to 1 1/16 oz loads, or grey wads for 7/8 oz.

There are many similar formulas in the data bases, and especially a wide variety of wads. You will find that your game, or clays, or knockdowns will not miss all that expensive shot you will be saving.
snip-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

hth
prof marvel

[Baltimore Ed]

Imo, Clays, Clay Dot or Red Dot in a light sg load are somewhat the same. However Blue Dot is temperature sensitive and will be problematic in cold temps. Was given an old unopened can which I built sg loads with. When the temperature dropped I started having weak loads and wads not leaving the bbl.

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Thanks Prof Marvel; I didn't realize I was that wise!