LIGHT 28 GA. LOADS FOR A BEGINNER

[Ron T.]

I've got a recoil problem I'm trying to cure for my young Grandson.

I am getting my Grandson started on shooting shotguns.  I have a little 28 ga. over/under that I'm going to use.  30 years ago, I shortened the stock on what was originally my 28 gauge grouse gun to start my two sons out on small game hunting with a shotgun that fit them.

My Grandson is 11 years old and of average size and weight.  His Dad (my youngest son) and I tried to get my Grandson started last year, but the 4.75 lb. 28 ga. over/under kicked the boy pretty hard due to it's light weight.  My son and I both shot it as well... and it kicked like a mule!  We were using standard Winchester AA skeet loads.

This year, I added some shot to the bolt-hole in the base of the butt-stock in which the large screw that holds the stock onto the receiver is found and now the little 28 ga. weighs 5.5 lbs.

I was at a local gun/reloading shop the other day and noted there's an adjustable shot/powder bar for the MEC 600 Jr. shotshell loader.

I was thinking that, in addition to the extra weight in the butt-stock, I could buy and use the adjustable MEC charging bar to lower the amount of powder and the shot-load slightly and ease the recoil even a bit more.

My first question is:  I have been using a "standard" 28 gauge MEC charging bar in my "30+ year old" MEC 600, Jr. which throws about 13 grains of Herco & 3/4 oz. (approx. 330 grains) of shot.  If I purchased the new, adjustable MEC charging bar, how much can I lower the 13 grain (I weighed it on my powder scales) powder charge that the regular charging bar throws by using the ADJUSTABLE charging bar without having a possible problem with the weird syndrome often wrongfully called "detonation"?  I had this "detonation" problem when trying to "work up" light whitetail deer loads that used smaller than normal amounts of relatively slow burning rifle powder.  I realize that most shotgun powders are relatively "fast" burning powders, but I am concerned about this possble problem.  

My second question is:  Is there a more appropriate powder than Herco to use for the 28 gauge... a powder which uses a greater weight/volume of powder to get the same approximately velocity (1200 fps) out of a 3/4 ounces of shot ... a powder charge that I could deduct a few grains of powder from (using the adjustable feature on the adjustable charging bar) and not effect it's volume or the velocity all THAT much, yet... effectively, lower the amount of recoil slightly?  

My 3rd. and final question is:  What material have you successfully used to "make up" for the "un-used space" left by using a smaller charge of powder and/or shot so that standard plastic AA wads could be used in reloading the 28 gauge AA hulls?

We're using Winchester AA shotshells & AA plastic wads designed for the standard Winchester AA 28 gauge skeet loads.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts on this matter.

Strength & Honor,

Ron T.

[Graybeard]

The Winchester AA 28 ga. shell is the smallest capacity hull made in the gauge. I've used it but prefer the RP hull for it's greater capacity. I generally use 12.5 greendot for all of my 3/4 oz. 28 ga. loads but find I can't fit that into a Win. AA hull with the AA wad.

I think you are on the right track in using the AA hull for it's smaller capacity. I'd use either RP or FED wads or maybe even the Claybuster which will not fit into the AA hull using 12.5 grains of GD and 3/4 oz.

While I can't say for sure how low you can go it hasn't hurt in my experience to drop a grain or two with these faster burning powers and especially in a shotshell. Detonation (if it really exists) is supposed to be situation that develops using small amounts of slow burning powder in large capacity cases with bullet on top and lots of empty space for the powder to float around in. This doesn't happen in shotshels.

So I think you can safely drop a grain or so in powder and use a larger wad to fill the space and then less shot and less wad pressure. Doing this I've loaded 7/8 oz. in the larger 12 ga. hulls and I'm sure you should be able to use it to drop the shot weight in the 28 ga. also. You might try using a pea or bean in the shotcup below the shot. Works fine and takes up space with almost no weight.

GB

[Bob_K]

The following loads were mentioned in an old issue of “Skeet Shooting Review:”
·   Case: 28 Ga. Winchester AA
·   Primer: Winchester 209
·   Powder: 13.0 gr. Alliant Unique
·   Wad: Red Duster 28
·   Shot: 3/4 oz. hard lead shot
·   1,200 fps@9,400 psi
·   Source: Duster wads Reloading Guide
 
·   Case: 28 Ga, Remington Premier
·   Primer: Remington 209P STS
·   Powder: 14.0 gr. Alliant Unique
·   Wad: Red Duster 28
·   Shot: 3/4 oz. hard lead shot
·   1,200 fps@9,600 psi
·   Source: 2002 Alliant Reloaders Guide

·   Case: 28 Ga. Winchester AA
·   Primer: Remington 209P STS
·   Powder: 13.0 gr. Hodgdon Universal Clays
·   Wad: Red Duster 28
·   Shot: 3/4 oz. hard lead shot
·   1,210 fps
·   Source: Ron Reiber, Hodgdon Powder Co.

·   Case: 28 Ga. Winchester AA
·   Primer: Winchester 209
·   Powder: 13.0 gr. Hodgdon Universal Clays
·   Wad: Red Duster 28
·   Shot: 3/4 oz. hard lead shot
·   1,200 psi@10,800 psi
·   Source: 2002 Hodgdon Reloading Guide

[mart]

Ron,

I am a big fan of the 28 gauge. I have a Beretta 686 that I love. I looked through a copy of "Reloading for Shotgunners", and found that the lowest pressure load listed with the AA 28 case was a WAA28 wad, CCI 209 and 14 grains of Herco for a pressure of 7900 psi.

I agree with Gray beard. If it were me I would try backing off 2 grains, put a 41 or 45 caliber card wad in the bottom of the wad shotcup and use 5/8 ounce of shot. I have used the Bismuth 5/8 ounce load and found it effective.

You might also consider a very soft recoil pad like the Pachmeyer  Decelerator or the Gooey pad.

I doubt you will find any problem with detonation in these shotgun loads. I know many trap shooters that start young shooters out will 12 gauge loads that run 900-1000 fps and are just lighter versions of their regular loads. I hope this helps. Good shooting, Mart.

[rickyp]

I have a few suggestions you may want to consider
1) you can get  an insert that will allow you to shot 410 shells in a larger bore
2) you said you are using an over and under, they make a mercury recoil system that fits in one of the barrels.
If you use both of these the recoil will be very mild and as he grows you can start to faze them out as he gets use to them.
Just an idea