I've fully committed to the .410 lifestyle so decided to cook up some 2.5" TSS loads for hunting.
First off is a load for dove, not every day but late in the season when shots are longer or south Texas whitewings. Also jump shooting teal early season. I have tons of AA hulls so started there. All are fold crimp.
AA HS
W209
H110
CB5050 wad + mylar wrap
1/4" felt
1/2" fiber
150gr TSS #11 (263 pellets)
Tested two powder charges
20.4 gr = 1,633 fps / 8,852 psi
21.4 gr = 1,681 fps / 8,875 psi
Had some A-410 powder on hand so tested two charges in shells otherwise identical to above
15.7 gr = 1,453 fps / 6,798 psi
17.4 gr = 1,629 fps / 8,748 psi (added a 3/64" osc punched from some gasket material to this load)
Gonna test a box of 21.4 gr H110 loads this weekend on some long distance clays.
Next is a pheasant/duck load with 9/16 oz TSS #9
AA HS
W209
15.7 gr H110
CB5050 + mylar
1/2" fiber
246 gr TSS #9 (203 pellets)
OSC (hole punched a primer box)
1,253 fps / 10,588 psi
I scrounged up some new Cheddite hulls too
Cheddite
Cheddite
13 gr A-410
CB5050 + mylar
1/2" fiber
246 gr TSS #9
OSC 1/32" (hole punched some gasket material)
1,239 fps / 11,440 psi
Cheddite
Cheddite
12.1 gr A-410
TPS wad trimmed
1/4" felt
246 gr TSS 9
1,196 fps / 12,107 psi
The TPS wad creates a lot more pressure, one shell hit 13,500 and two were ~12,750. The load data I got with the shot used lead wads with no mylar, fingers crossed the CB + mylar performs. Trulock says TSS is no problem with their chokes so we'll see. I'm trying to figure how to take the hassle and variability out of trimming the TPS wads. Hopefully it's only a matter of time before someone starts selling TPS type wads for 2.5" shells. As always, use at your own risk.
First off is a load for dove, not every day but late in the season when shots are longer or south Texas whitewings. Also jump shooting teal early season. I have tons of AA hulls so started there. All are fold crimp.
AA HS
W209
H110
CB5050 wad + mylar wrap
1/4" felt
1/2" fiber
150gr TSS #11 (263 pellets)
Tested two powder charges
20.4 gr = 1,633 fps / 8,852 psi
21.4 gr = 1,681 fps / 8,875 psi
Had some A-410 powder on hand so tested two charges in shells otherwise identical to above
15.7 gr = 1,453 fps / 6,798 psi
17.4 gr = 1,629 fps / 8,748 psi (added a 3/64" osc punched from some gasket material to this load)
Gonna test a box of 21.4 gr H110 loads this weekend on some long distance clays.
Next is a pheasant/duck load with 9/16 oz TSS #9
AA HS
W209
15.7 gr H110
CB5050 + mylar
1/2" fiber
246 gr TSS #9 (203 pellets)
OSC (hole punched a primer box)
1,253 fps / 10,588 psi
I scrounged up some new Cheddite hulls too
Cheddite
Cheddite
13 gr A-410
CB5050 + mylar
1/2" fiber
246 gr TSS #9
OSC 1/32" (hole punched some gasket material)
1,239 fps / 11,440 psi
Cheddite
Cheddite
12.1 gr A-410
TPS wad trimmed
1/4" felt
246 gr TSS 9
1,196 fps / 12,107 psi
The TPS wad creates a lot more pressure, one shell hit 13,500 and two were ~12,750. The load data I got with the shot used lead wads with no mylar, fingers crossed the CB + mylar performs. Trulock says TSS is no problem with their chokes so we'll see. I'm trying to figure how to take the hassle and variability out of trimming the TPS wads. Hopefully it's only a matter of time before someone starts selling TPS type wads for 2.5" shells. As always, use at your own risk.