Husqvarna 12 gauge shotgun, anyone load light 12 gauge loads?

[David LaPell]

After having another surgery with my arm this year, hunting with a shotgun has gotten tougher, especially with a pump action, so I went looking for another shotgun. I recently found this old Husqvarna Model 20 12 gauge recently. It's got fluid steel barrels so smokeless powder loads are ok, but since it's chambered for 2 5/8" shells, I have to handload for it, so I bought some Magtech 2 1/2" brass shells. I am going to load it light, 7/8 ounce loads with light loads. The underlever takes a little getting used to, but the shotgun is just a real beauty. It's actually very light for a double 12 gauge, only about 7 pounds. I was told that it's full choke and modified and the barrels measure out to twenty nine inches, which is just fine. I am waiting on the correct size wads and then I will get loading the shells. I hope to take it out squirrel hunting once deer season is over, weather permitting.
The stock had most of the checkering sanded off at one point, but the engraving on the gun is beautiful, a fox on one side, a dog on the other. The underlever takes a little getting used to, but it's not really that bad. The sling came with the gun, not sure where that came from. I got it at a reasonable price, picked it up for four bills.

Does anyone load light smokeless powder loads at all? Again, using 2 1/2" brass shells. One load I am looking at is a low recoil load, 17.0 grains of Red Dot with 7/8 ounces of shot, probably #7 1/2 or #6.

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[Petander]

Beautiful!

Have you actually found a smokeless proof marking/stamp of some kind? Old Husqvarnas are not very rare here, some are black powder only regardless of barrel type.

[megasupermagnum]

Sure, lots of guys load low pressure smokeless loads. Look up loads safe for Damascus guns, and they will certainly be safe in yours. Not that many load smokeless loads in brass shells though, so that may be tougher.

[junkbug]

Not to be a irritant, but there are loads for 2” and 2 1/2” hulls for the 12 gauge in the Lyman shotgun reloading manual.

[W.R.Buchanan]

You can also shorten plastic hulls by just cutting the end off. That way you don't have to be so careful with your brass shot shells.

Randy

[toallmy]

You can also shorten plastic hulls by just cutting the end off. That way you don't have to be so careful with your brass shot shells.

Randy

This + roll crimping could be useful .

[Went2kck]

I have brass 20 gage shells they take large rifle primers to load. Had to make a tool for the primer seat. It works that is all I am saying. Mine will take full power loads as it is a 1990's model. I don't use the brass shells to much as I am afraid the shot will come loose and me not catch it.

[longbow]

I found a bunch of low pressure shotgun load data for Damascus and other old steel barrels. I'll do some digging and get the links or data for you.

I have some short hull load data too but I do not recall pressures. Just because their short doesn't mean they are low pressure! But I'll check. Might be a couple of days.

In the mean time this might help if you look through:

http://parkerguns.org/forums/showthread.php?t=18645

https://www.nssa-nsca.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/ceretto.pdf

Longbow