Author Topic: Super light loads in 20 gauge (Read 2767 times)

texasbilly · « **on:** May 13, 2004, 01:20:09 PM »

I have a variety of light loads for the 20 gauge that I found in reloading manuals. Though they are good, what I need are SUPER light loads using 3/4 ounce and 1/2 ounce of shot. These are needed to teach small children to shoot at stationary targets with a 20 gauge shotgun. Once they are comfortable shooting, they will graduate to heavier loads.

Does anyone have a recipe for a SUPER light 3/4 ounce or 1/2 ounce 20 gauge load.

Thomas Krupinski · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2004, 02:32:24 PM »

I would suggest that you try and use your light load receipes, but substitute some fiber or cardboard wads in the bottom of the shot cup in your plastic one piece wad. Experiment to find just the correct amount of mass needed to make a good crimp. Lowering the amount of shot would reduce the recoil. 1/2 ounce loads should do the trick.

AZDan has a receipe for 3/4 ounce that shoots nice but does not seem that much different to me in felt recoil compared to 7/8 ounce loads.

AZ Dan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 14, 2004, 06:11:59 PM »

TB, The recipe I got was from Hodgdon's website or orange dusters website, I can't remember. Using Hodgdon's International Clays powder, 3/4 ounce of shot would not crimp well with orange dusters or claybuster wads. However, Winchester AA wads did crimp well.

20 gauge AA hulls
W209 primers
WAA20 wads
12.7 gr Hodgdon International
3/4 oz of lead shot (experimenting with 8, 8.5, and 9 shot)

Max charge for this load is 13.0 gr = 1200 fps
Velocity @ 12.0 gr = 1150 fps

I don't think you need to go any lighter than 3/4 ounce of shot. It goes bang but does not kick in a 7 lb 20 gauge. Your daughter should be able to handle the recoil. Just don't forget the ear protection. Good luck. Dan.

Duffy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 16, 2004, 07:28:26 AM »

Dan,
It will be interesting what your results are with the #9 shot. I loaded up some lite loads for some kids and they would barely break the targets. There were holes in the ones that were on the ground but they wouldnt break. When I switched to 7 1/2 & 8's they did fine. I figured with the higher pellet count it would give them a better chance but that wasn't the case.

Ryan

rickyp · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2004, 09:07:54 AM »

You can get "gauge_mate tubes" from cabela's. they allow one to shoot smaller shells out of a larger ga. they come in 410, 28, this is a norther alternative to reduced loads

shotgunner · « **Reply #5 on:** September 02, 2004, 11:34:10 AM »

I have my young kids shooting skeet and do not let them shoot 7/8 oz 20s. We use either 28s or lightly loaded 20s, the 20 gauge empties are easier to come up with. I use a Mec #23 bushing, a standard wad either AA or Remington and do not need fillers. Solo 1250 is a very bulky powder and fill up the case nicely. I chronographed this load at just 1200 fps. For stationary tagrets you might try to go a bushing lower. Sorry I dont remember the charge in grains. This is an easy load to make up and shoots just fine. There was a Solo 1000 20 ga. 3/4 load published in the skeet shooters review, it might be worth looking into. Shotgunner

fffffg · « **Reply #6 on:** September 02, 2004, 06:19:46 PM »

paper hulls definitly reduce recoil and loads should be available from balistic products..you only can get a cuouple reloads from them if that.. balistic produckts or precesion reloading may have some super light loads for you to try.. black powder will lend itself to any type of load you can imagin but would be quite a new experience to get set up and shooting.. and also more expensive becouse there isnt any wear near as many rounds in a pound of powder.. but it would work well for what you are looking for.. if you wanht to learn how to load black powder shotshells email me at ffffgdave@yahoo.com good luck dave..

Questor · « **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2004, 04:57:17 AM »

Here's a great one... This is a light low-pressure load that I use exclusively for target shooting. Recoil is low, even in my kid's shotgun, and I consider it "vibration" more than "recoil". My son has been shooting it since age 11 and he never complains about recoil. When I ask him about it, he says it doesn't bother him.

Winchester 20 gauge hulls
Remington RXP20 wad
7/8oz #8 magnum shot
Winchester 209 primer
15.5 grains of Unique powder

I just loaded 250 last night. It's easy on the shells too, so you get a lot of reloads. Pressure is very low with this load.

The source for this was the Lyman book.