Powders for 12 gauge

[ilcop22]

Howdy,

I decided to start loading up some 12 gauge shotshell for pheasant hunting/clay pidgeons. The sky's the limit at this point, so I'm trying to narrow it down by selection a powder. I've heard good things about Unique. Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Firebricker]

I use Green Dot it is good for trap up to field loads. I use a lot of Unique in handguns but never for shotshell's. FB

[sargenv]

depends on the application..

Light target = Bullseye, Red Dot, Green Dot, 700x, Clays, international clays or equiv

Pheasant hunting with lead - Unique, Herco, Blue Dot, HS6, Longshot, 800x, IMR 7625, IMR 4756

Steel shot hunting - Steel, Blue dot, Herco, HS6, SR 4756 (slower powders).

[woody1]

Like an old lady''s underwear, depends. For max. velocity with 1 1/4 oz. shot you need a little slower powder than Unique. My choice is Herco but mostly because I have other uses for it also. If you want one powder for your shotgun and are willing to sacrifice some velocity with 1 1/4 oz. loads then Unique may be for you. I personally use a faster powder for light(er) loads and target. Do you use Bullseye or Red Dot? If so, they're both dandy for light loads. Regards, Woody

[ilcop22]

Thanks for the tips, gents. I have Bullseye for pistol shootin' and I picked up some Unique today for Pheasant.

Edit: The pheasant load I'm using is 2 3/4" shell, 1 1/8 ounce #5 shot at 1200 fps. I shoot pump with a 24" vent ribbed and ported barrel, modified choke.

[.357]

I'm a hater of recoil so i shot a 1/8s to 1oz load of red dot 2 3/4 shell. works well for me and i've used it for many birds.

[blaser.306]

I have shot thousands of rounds of 23/4" 12 ga with 11/8 oz shot and IIRC 19 gr of International clays , Patterns like green dot (tight ) and very low recoil @ 1200 fps !

[Montana Slim]

I've used a lot of 700X for 7/8 oz through 1 1/8 oz loads.
Been a while since I could find pheasants....but usually late season hunter & I have a good load for magnum 1 1/2 load of #4s that was deadly. Winchester 571 sounds familiar.

Seem turkeys are taking over from the pheasants....which is bad because we have limited turkey seasons, harvest quantities and the special license is around $30 (each)

[P.K.]

A load I use for Chucker or Partridge is HS-6. It's a heavy powder load but it throws the shot at over 1300 fps.

[mac1911]

the balance of FPS vs chamber preasure vs amount of powder used
my vote would be for green dot to cover clays and birds

always resort to load data

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...eid=3&gauge=12

[Rustolium]

Has anyone used H110? I have some that I'm not going to use for any more pistol loads. I haven't found any load data in my limited load library. Thanks for any help!

[woody1]

Has anyone used H110? I have some that I'm not going to use for any more pistol loads. I haven't found any load data in my limited load library. Thanks for any help!

Not for shotgun except .410. Regards, Woody

Sorry, I don't think I really answered your question. H110/W296 is too slow and perhaps too squirrly for shotgun except .410. I don't think you'll find any shotgun data for it except .410.

[Rustolium]

Not for shotgun except .410. Regards, Woody

Sorry, I don't think I really answered your question. H110/W296 is too slow and perhaps too squirrly for shotgun except .410. I don't think you'll find any shotgun data for it except .410.

Thanks for the info!