Shotgun reloading for CAS

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Been shooting my Win 97 with the Win light loads up to this point.  After a full day of CAS shooting my shoulder is tender.  Rotator culf surgery didn't help either.
Got a MEC 600 shotshell reloader when I started gathering all my CAS stuff and just now got to play with it.  
I'm using the AA Win hulls and the 7/8 oz bar.  Have loaded up 4 different powder loads (Red Dot) and will let you know how they do as soon as I get a chance to get to the range.  Used powder bushings 26, 24, 23 and 21.  26 is supposed to be equal to factory.  With the 21 bushing I wil need to add either a thin wad or drop a couple more pellets in as it is a bit low on voumne.  Might look at file folder material for this wad.
The MEC is a nice machine for just under $100.  Got the powder baffle, the 7/8 shot bar and the bushings, too.  After loading 800 rounds on my Dillon this morning (.38 Sp for Cowboy and 9mm for USPSA) I opened the box and within 20 minutes was turning out very good looking reloads.  Since all I use the shotgun for is CAS this machine will do very nicely.
What I'm looking for is a very light load that the Mrs. and I can both shoot.  
One note of caution:  Be sure the top plug is tight before rotating the bottles back.  Lead shot really runs out fast :grin: .  At least I was outside and could blow all the shot off the driveway.

[Capt Hamp Cox]

CR,

Everything I have read on building reduced power 12 ga loads indicates that you need to keep pressures above 7000 psi to avoid inconsistent velocities and patterns.  You don't say which wad you are using, but Alliant data lists recommended 7/8 oz loads with Win AA shells and Red Dot as follows:

Wad            Grains          Approx. psi.        

Win. WAA12SL       16.5*                7300
Win. WAA12L (gray)  16.5                  7900
Fed. 12SO                16.0*                8000
Rem. TGT 12            16.5*                7300

* = add one 20 ga 0.135 in thick card wad to inside bottom of shot cup.

Alliant lists MEC bushing capacities with Red Dot as follows:

Bushing#    gr of Red Dot
  21               = 12.1 gr
  23               = 13.1 gr
  24               = 13.7 gr
  26               = 14.9 gr

My 12 ga recipe, using the Claybuster #CB 0178-12 WAA12L Replacement wad, 16.4 gr of Red Dot (bushing # 28), 7/8 oz shot, Win 209 primers, and Win AA shells, kicks about like a 3/4 oz 20 ga field load

[Shootin' Carts Jimmy]

I also use 7/8 of 7.5, AA or STS hulls, with wa12sl wads, 15.5g Clays, and one cardboard spacer to keep the end tight.  Very light load, will knock down every popper and knockdown I've used it on.  I've shot over 200 rounds in one afternoon with this load, no shoulder pad, and I could have shot 200 more.  Nice load - lighter than AA 50% recoil factory loads.

Good luck!

[Flint]

Been using 15gr of Clays with a 1oz load, just loaded a box with 13gr Clays and 1oz to try.  Definitely less recoil than the AA light target load.  You need the Winchester pink wad with the 1oz or 7/8 oz loads.

[Capt Hamp Cox]

Since we're on the subject, has anyone used TITEGROUP in shotshells?  Would be nice if I could have just one powder for my CAS handguns, rifles and shotguns.  I have data from Hodgdon, but haven't tried it yet.

[Greybeard]

A pard I used to shoot skeet with said he used a bean or a pea in the bottom of each shot cup with his 7/8 oz. loads rather than a card wad. Sure seemed ta work good for him. Ya might wanna get it a try.

GB

[Cheyenne Ranger]

Was thinking along those same lines of adding something--was considering a kernel of corn.  Figuring I'd have some pop corn when I was finished shooting  
CR

[ButlerFord45]

:-D Now we know what GB does with all his vegetables!!!    
I don't mean to push Black Powder on anyone, but load for load, it  gives more of a progressive push than the sharp recoil of smokless powders.  For folks who are recoil sensitive, for whatever reasons, using Black Powder can keep you shooting longer.