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Joined: 27 Feb 2014 Posts: 45

I am hoping to load some shells for Huns and chukar my primary birds where I live. I need some advice on a moderate velocity 1 1/8 loads nothing faster than 1100-1200 fps. I like the denser pattern an 1 1/8 ounce loads give me on smaller birds but I hate the recoil of high velocity loads.

There seem to be some really sharp reloader's on this board I am hoping for a little help.

Thanks in advance.

Joined: 14 Dec 2007 Posts: 48 Location: Montana

I use this load for late season huns.

Fiocchi 2 3/4"
Fio 616 primer
Longshot 22.5 gr
SG16 wad
1 1/8 oz #6
FPS - 1200 PSI 7700

Remington 2 piece 16 ga. hull
Winchester 209
Longshot 20.2 grains
Remington SP16
1 1/8 oz. lead shot
8,900 PSI 1,185FPS

Federal paper basewad 16 ga. hull
Federal 209A
Unique 21.5 grains
Remington SP16
1 1/8 oz. lead shot
8,900 PSI 1,185FPS

Both loads are right off the powder manufacturer's websites

1 1/8 oz. 1185 fps is the old Remington Shur-Shot loads. 2 3/4 drams equivalent. Nice solid performance.

Another option which could work is any fast, dependable one ounce load of magnum #7 pigeon shot. #7 shot is a bit bigger than 7.5 shot and hits a lot harder at longer ranges. Energies and patterns out of a 16 are excellent if the load is a good one to begin with. The slightly thinner pattern won't tear up a closer in bird either if an IC choke is used for the first shot.

Most traditional published 16 ga one ounce loads I've used perform very well out of most 16 ga guns with few exceptions. I've used such a load for late season grouse or early season roosters with excellent results. Should work on huns and chukers very well. Good luck.

Threedogs, you didn't mention shot size which effects pattern density. I use #7 shot for Chukkers and Huns over pointing dogs and find that 1 oz. is adequate to about 40 yards. Suggest you pattern 1 oz. loads of #7 shot and compare with your 1 1/8 loads.
As a comparison:
My pheasant load is 1 oz. of #6 in my IC barrel and 1 1/8 oz. of #5 1/2 in my mod barrel. The combination gives approximately the same pellet count, and great patterns from about 22 yards to about 43 yards.

Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 603 Location: Victoria BC Canada

Weight of shot is the single largest variable in recoil effects. The 19th Century English "Gunmakers Rule" had the recommended gun weight as 96 times the intended shot weight. If your gun weight is much less than 6.75 pounds you will feel the punch.

I often use 1 oz. of #7s reloads for quail, if I'm in an area where an occasional pheasant might flush. Don't use 1 1/8 oz. much for any game birds, although I do have some factory 1 1/8 oz 6s for pheasants/Prairie Chicken.

I feel the no. 7 is a little more effective on pheasants than 7 1/2s. I also shoot a 16 with open chokes and I get a little more density with the 7's than with 6's.