Load specs for 12 ga

[Mad Professor]

Hi Everybody,

I just got a 12 ga and am wondering about loads, barrel/gun came with proof data. If you've got a Lyman booklet could you post some load/pressure data?

I've got what the barrel is proofed at and will take it from there (ca 2/3rds- 3/4 qrts or less...).

Thanks in advance,

Mad Professor

 

[Ohio Rusty]

Who is the maker of your shotgun ?? I have a Navy Arms SxS 12 gauge, and I have the original booklet that came with the gun with all the recommended loading data I can send you if you need it.
Ohio Rusty

 

[Iron Jim Rackham]

If you want to throw a tight pattern, dispense with everything except overshot wads. I shoot a lot of pheasants with a 12 gauge flintlock fowler, and have always obtained best results by loading 3 drams of 2FG powder beneath 4 overshot wads, followed by 1 1/4 ounces of #6 shot and topped off with 2 overshot wads to keep the column securely in place.

If any component is heavier than an individual piece of shot, that component has a tendency to blow through the shot column and disrupt patterns.
Since cushion wads and overpowder wads are both heavier than a #6 pellet, using them creates a donut pattern.

4 overshot wads on top of the powder are sufficient cushion and insulation against the explosive gases. They will also drop off a few feet in front of the muzzle, rather than traveling through the shot column as cushion and overpowder wads often do.

To avoid catching air while loading, poke a hole with an awl through the overshot wads at 12 o'clock. When loading arange the holes at 12, 3, 6 and 9 O'clock. This will avoid traping air and by staggering the holes, avoid letting gases burn through the holes on ignition.

I shoot a jug choked gun, but very frequently bag hard flying birds at 40 yards and beyond.

A secondary advantage of just using overshot wads, is the ability to dispense with all the other wads. It will save you time and money, and more importantly deliver the tightest patterns.

 

[Slamfire]

I'd guess 2 3/4 drams and 1 1/8 oz of shot would make a good startin' point. :winking:

 

[paulvallandigham]

Take a read of the V.M. Starr article in the Bob Spenser, Black powder Notebook:
[url] http://members.aye.net/~bspen/starr.html[/url]

I don't think you will go very far wrong using that data in the 12 gauge.

 

[ffffg]

load properties will vary with the weather. if you live in an area of high humidity and shoot in nice weather you can get away with loads listed above.. if you want to hunt in dry conditionions or cold weather you may need to use the traditional nitro card over powder, lube, fiber wad, shot, over shot card...((this works with smoothbore, jug choke, but not with contricting chokes)) other guns may take differing cards and work without lube, but for continuing patterns when you have fouling hardening like a rock in low humidity or cold weather, your patterns can fail. the nitro card scrapes the fouling quite well, lube such as tc lube in the yellow tube helps keep it soft, use enough to have the end of the barrel interior shiny during a 20 shot string.. fiber wad keeps the lube out of the shot, and cushions the shot a little helping from deforming the soft lead.. i used to use a simple nitro card over powder, shot, over shot card, duck hunting in montana when i needed a swatter load for a downed swimming duck.. i quickly found that after that shot, all shots after that, no matter what i did(except cleaning) were blown. but thats my weather, my gun, and my loads... youl have to go out and pattern , pattern, pattern, strings of loads to see what will work for you... i would pattern the 1st, 5th, 10th and 20th load while trap shooting (for competition loads).. the load listed above will work at 90 above and -20 farenheight.. shot size and type wont matter, dont use steel or heavy shot.. forgive me i love showing this photo, heres some -4 below ducks,,chambers 16 gauge, four shots, four ducks 2006-2007 season ,.......... [url] http://www.geocities.com/funkyjs/ffffg.html[/url] ....... for constrictive chokes i would use powder,,,nitrocard, two crossed if needed, (or the stacked overshot cards will bend fine as listed above, -ive also used picture frame matting cut to correct diameter with punch on a ex-full choke, anything that can bend),,,one or two wool felt wads 1/4 inch thick, soaked in melted tc lube,,, shot,,, over shot card,,,dave.. :grin: