20 gauge hunting load components, etc.

[Questor]

I was reading that there's a difference between hunting wads and target wads. Where can I find out what specific components work best for 20 gauge hunting loads? The loads are to be 1 ounce of 7 1/2 magnum shot in Federal hulls.

By the way, I'm using Unique powder because there seemed to be a lot of loads for it for the Federal hulls I'm using. Is there a "best" 20 gauge target powder?  Is there a "best" powder for hunting loads with 20 gauge?

[Graybeard]

Lyman makes THE reloading manual for shotshells. If you don't have it get it. Not sure what current edition is but should be around 4th or 5th I think by now. It has loads for all current and most older hulls and wads and a huge variety of powders.

Nope there is no "best" choice powder. We all have our favorites and not all will agree. In 20 ga. I've used more Green Dot than all other powders put together but I admit I always load 7/8 oz. not one ounce. For me the 20 has always been a target (skeet) gun not a hunting gun. That may change now that I have the Stoeger Upland SXS 20 ga. May give it a try as a hunting gun and if so I too might load up some ounce loads.

GB

[Ka6otm]

Questor,

It's kind of like loading metallic.  Different things work best in different shotguns.

I hunt upland extensively with a 20 gauge and I also use 1 oz. of shot with Unique powder.  The only difference between you and me is that you're using Federal Hulls and I'm using Winchester AA exclusively for the 1 oz. loads.

Due to the numerous uses I have for the 20 gauge, I decided a long time ago to use certain hulls for different things to give me instant visual ID.  I use Winchester AAs for 1 oz upland loads, Activ hulls for 1-1/8 oz. upland loads, and Remington Hulls for 7/8 oz target loads (or light hunting).

Why don't I use Federal?  Because I don't have a source for empties and I do with all the other brands.

About the only difference between a "target" wad and a "hunting" wad is the amount of shot it intended to be used with.  They shorten the legs and lengthen the shot cup area for more shot.  An exception is the Ballistic Products' Turkey Ranger, which is a whole different thing.  There are probably others.

As to powders, I use Unique with 1 Oz, Blue Dot with 1-1/8 oz and PB with 7/8 oz.

As far as I know the Lyman 4th Edition is the latest and greatest.  I have it and use it religiously.  You should think about this too.  It contains just about all the info you could want or need and literally thousands of loads.

Ka6otm