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JD Miller

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Beretta 686 (3) Rem 870 etc
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276 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
What powders do you like for 20 ga field loads, 1 oz loads, 2/3/4" hulls

What about this new IMR Blue? Similar to Alliant Blue Dot?

I have some Long Shot, Herco , Blue Dot I used for my old 12 ga loadings

Local sportsmans warehouse got a bunch of powder in, it will sell fast. I saw a jug of long shot
 
Per your other post. You are pushing what a 20ga can do. First you need a recipe. Wad and Shell can make a HUGE difference in powder choice for 1oz 20ga loads. If you do not have a (way out of date) Lyman #5 . Ck for free data . Go to Hodgens web site. Look up the data you seek. Alliant has free info also. After visiting both THEN look for powder. This will be way faster and accurite than asking on a forum.
From a very quick look. Longshot is most likely your best choice.But I do not know what other components you have.
 
I've used Blue Dot in my 20-gauge upland reloads for many years and have taken a good number of prairie grouse and pheasants with them. Go to the Alliant website to see specific load components.

Here are a few of my pattern numbers to give you an idea of how they perform.

Patterns from a 20-gauge Browning Citori with 28" Invector-plus barrels and Briley flush chokes (patterns average of five, 30" post-shot scribed circle, yardage taped muzzle to target, and in-shell pellet count average of five).

20 GA 2 ¾” RELOAD (BLUE DOT)
1 oz #6 lead (233 pellets) @ 1200 fps

30 YARDS – SK / pattern 147 (63%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 168 (72%)
40 YARDS – M / pattern 146 (63%)
40 YARDS – IM / pattern 163 (70%)

20 GA 3" RELOAD (BLUE DOT)
1 1/8 oz #5 lead (190 pellets) @ 1220 fps

30 YARDS – SK / pattern 140 (74%)
30 YARDS – IC / pattern 149 (78%)
40 YARDS – M / pattern 138 (73%)
40 YARDS – IM / pattern 147 (77%)

Good luck.
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·

look like this "new" IMR Blue has been discontinued.....
 
Universal works well for me.
 
When I got my 20 ga. Elsey back in 1961, it quickly became my favorite for almost everything. The load was usually 13 gr. of Red Dot (as best I can recall) & 7/8 oz. of #8 or #6 shot. The 8's were for birds & the 6's were for squirrels, ducks & larger birds. Keep in mind that in 1961, hulls were paper & wads were card & fiber. When a somewhat heavier load was in order, I used Herco & later Alcan # 7 with 1 oz. of shot. Now, some 60 yrs. later, I still shoot the Elsey but have added 2 more 20 ga. SXS's. I still use Hero at times but it is usually Longshot w/ 1 oz. loads & WSF or Unique with 7/8 oz. loads
 
Make life simple, and just use win Super handicap if you are in 2 -3/4" hulls.

Hence easy to ream a shot bushing to give you full drop that is not light to start with, can get the load up to 1250fps to hit hard, and since the powder is a denser sperical powder that takes up less room in the hulls from the increased shot drop now that the shot payload is not light drops, works well with standard CB wads that you would be using in target loads.

If you want to go to bulker type powders with the shot bushing reamed for true drops, then would have to go to a 3" hull or true to find shorter wads instead to get any kind of increased speed.
 
One thing you can do to get full loads in a 20 ga. is start with a magnum listed load that runs safe pressure & with buffer if you want the best patterns. Throw everything away except the powder gas seal & use a wad col. that fits the load made of fiber & card. wads. Then use a plastic shot collar. Roster lists data for a similar load but with the plastic wrapper inside of the shot cup. Pattern testing will reveal which one works best in YOUR gun. I use a mylar collar with buckshot sometimes because it is thin, takes up little space & is very tough. I only load deer loads with buckshot. No milk jug or home defense stuff. I'm getting off subject but the point is that it works in the 20 ga. too! There is C&F data out there for bluedot but only use data tested with buffer. I use adjustable powder & shot bars on my MEC sizemasters. Often, if I am not going to load a lot of shells, I will measure the powder with my RCBS powder measure. One more hand operation usually makes little difference in the overall effort loading specialty hunting loads.
 
In the past I used Blue Dot for my 1oz loads in STS hulls. The following load came from Alliant.
REM STS 20ga hull
Either CCI 209 or STS209
22.0 gr Blue Dot
Rem SP20 Wad
1155 fps - 9500 psi - CCI 209
1165fps - 9400 psi - STS209
 
Another for Universal here. I also use it for my 28 ga's and 16 ga's. It works well in all those at 1200fps and gives good crimps on all. I do use 700X for my 7/8 oz 16ga clay target loads though.
 
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