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From past polls it looks like most of the forum members shoot clays more than hunting. However, for those that load hunting loads there are a few points I would like to pass on.
(1) After years of tests in the ballistic labs, no powders gave as uniform tight center core patterns as Green Dot, Herco, and Blue Dot. Yes, the are not the cleanest, but their performance has been outstanding. Some years ago Don Zutz ran many patterning test also.
(2) We have found that in todays high capacity hulls, using up the 2 oz of plated shot, the Fiocchi hull performed best. All their hunting hulls have a 7mm basewad.
(3) In high density hunting loads, a tight rolled crimp when using slow burn powders, gave less spread in velocity shot to shot. It was thought at one time that a rolled crinp caused blown patterns, but when we installed high speed photo, we found it was the hard heavy filler wads blowing into the base of the shot as it left the barrel.
(4) We have found a great deal of confusion in understanding shot weights in hunting loads. Recently it has been shown that it did not matter, pressure wise, what the shot size or type (ejecta) was as long as it was the same weight. If a load recipe called for 1 5/8 oz....it did not matter if it was #10 shot or buckshot....all other components remaining the same. In fact, the #10's having more surface contact had a very small, but inside the pressure envelope, increase over buckshot.
(5) With each new addition of powders, most of the data will push those. But, most new powders do little that the older tried and true haven't been doing for years.
(6) And last.....tests prove that a stacked wad column using over powder wads like Ballistic Products "X12X" and "Obturator", light wool or Styro filler wads, and a shot sleeve (teflon or sprayed with Ms Moly), plus a rolled crimp.....gave better patterns and uniform velocity than one piece wads!
Making these specialized shotshells is slow and the clay bird shooter needing high speed production will not be interested. However, the hunter that wants the best longrange turkey load, the buckshot shooter, etc. should consider buying some of Ballistic Products Inc small pamplets on specialized hunting loads. Best Regards, James
Please note: All my comments in this post refer to lead shot, either plain or plated (copper or nickel).....JCG
(1) After years of tests in the ballistic labs, no powders gave as uniform tight center core patterns as Green Dot, Herco, and Blue Dot. Yes, the are not the cleanest, but their performance has been outstanding. Some years ago Don Zutz ran many patterning test also.
(2) We have found that in todays high capacity hulls, using up the 2 oz of plated shot, the Fiocchi hull performed best. All their hunting hulls have a 7mm basewad.
(3) In high density hunting loads, a tight rolled crimp when using slow burn powders, gave less spread in velocity shot to shot. It was thought at one time that a rolled crinp caused blown patterns, but when we installed high speed photo, we found it was the hard heavy filler wads blowing into the base of the shot as it left the barrel.
(4) We have found a great deal of confusion in understanding shot weights in hunting loads. Recently it has been shown that it did not matter, pressure wise, what the shot size or type (ejecta) was as long as it was the same weight. If a load recipe called for 1 5/8 oz....it did not matter if it was #10 shot or buckshot....all other components remaining the same. In fact, the #10's having more surface contact had a very small, but inside the pressure envelope, increase over buckshot.
(5) With each new addition of powders, most of the data will push those. But, most new powders do little that the older tried and true haven't been doing for years.
(6) And last.....tests prove that a stacked wad column using over powder wads like Ballistic Products "X12X" and "Obturator", light wool or Styro filler wads, and a shot sleeve (teflon or sprayed with Ms Moly), plus a rolled crimp.....gave better patterns and uniform velocity than one piece wads!
Making these specialized shotshells is slow and the clay bird shooter needing high speed production will not be interested. However, the hunter that wants the best longrange turkey load, the buckshot shooter, etc. should consider buying some of Ballistic Products Inc small pamplets on specialized hunting loads. Best Regards, James
Please note: All my comments in this post refer to lead shot, either plain or plated (copper or nickel).....JCG
