16ga.com ~ View topic - Wads for 3/4 or 7/8 oz loads in straight walled hulls

Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 1358 Location: Twin Cities, MN

I have only been loading 16 gauge for about 4 or 5 years so I was not paying attention when some of you folks were developing loads 10-15 years ago. Has anyone tried the Ballistic Products SG-20L for light loads? I'll be near BP this week and could pick some up to try. Any other wads that may work?
Thanks,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Mike Campbell is the guy to ask. He used those wads for quite awhile for light loads in the 16.

the wad you mentioned is what we use in RGL'S primarily . The fed 20SI is the same . Both are the same diam as rem 16ga SP wads so they work pretty nicely . I've loaded up some 20SI's to try in the straight walled RST's I've got to wait out the DR'S . I expect that they SHOULD be close to working as good as Rem wads in straight cases , but may be iffy . My powders are 700X and Red Dot - flakey - we'll see . Also , BP has had 20SM's on sale for quite a while now - really similar to the L's and can be had at a decent rate when they have their fixed rate shipping - have included wads lately .

Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 1358 Location: Twin Cities, MN

I live forty minutes from Ballistic Products and will be out that way Tuesday. I think I'll buy some 20 gauge wads and see what happens in Cheddite and Federal hulls.
Thanks,
Jeff

Joined: 14 Nov 2011 Posts: 164 Location: Minnesota

What powder are you using Jeff? I primarily use SG16 or SG16S in all my 7/8 cheditte loads.

Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 1358 Location: Twin Cities, MN

I have been using American Select because that's what I have. Also have 20/28. The SG16 dishes a lot with 7/8 oz in full length Cheddites or Federals. I believe you are loading 2.5" hulls. In the BPI 16 gauge manual they only have those loads without gas seals or over shot cards if they have boat loads of powder. Here's some of their loads that don't take any extra seals or cards:

Ched hull/Ched 209/36 gr SR4756/SG 16 wad/ 3/4 oz shot. 9800 psi. 1650 fps
Ched hull/Ched 209/26 gr 20/28 /SG 16S wad/ 7/8 oz shot. 10800 psi. 1570 fps

I don't wish to use any loads going that fast.
Jeff

those ''old'' days are here right now GG !

*Last edited by gloftness on Tue Jun 09, 2015 2:36 pm; edited 1 time in total*

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Guest

The archives don't go back to 2004 for my original write up when I started messing with the SG20L, but here's a thread from 2007 regarding light loads in a Rem hull. It might be of some help if you have Remington hulls to load. That said the new Claybuster 7/8 oz wad is also a good fit in the RGL hull.

http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2140&highlight=sg20l

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338

Joined: 15 Jun 2010 Posts: 1358 Location: Twin Cities, MN

Our goal is to produce lots of moderate velocity 7/8 and 3/4 oz loads easily. This was done simply with DR16s, which have not been readily available since last August. Here are the issues as I understand them.
1) A moderate speed 7/8 oz load with an SG16 fits poorly in a straight wall hull unless some filler is used.
2) RGLs are difficult to reload easily on a progressive press more than once. I personally despise reloading RGLs, except for once fired hulls.
3) RGLs are difficult to find near me, and if available are over $9.00 a box.
3) True 2 1/2" hulls can not be reloaded on a progressive MEC press for high volume loading. Some of us shoot thousands and thousands of 16 ga a year and this matters.

Here are possible solutions.
1) Load a 15/16 oz load in a straight wall hull with an SG16. An unaltered 1 oz MEC bar throws this weight of hard 7.5 shot. Now I'm shooting more shot than I want to and it makes shooting more expensive.
2) Figure out how to load current 20 gauge wads in the easier to use and longer lived Cheddite and Federal hulls. A bit of wheel reinventing.
3) Load 2 1/2" Cheddites with SG16 wads. For volume I think Spolar can build a head for this. Can you do this in a PW? Expensive options.
4) Suck it up and load RGLs. This will slow down my loading and increase costs due to poor case mouths and shorter hull life span.
5) Hope Winchester starts producing AACF hulls again. NOT going to happen.
6) Cut Chedds and Feds down to the length of an RGL. These will run through a progressive press and shortening the hull will make everything fit better.
7) Have Claybuster produce the DR16. Doubtful.

Any other solution to this dilemma?
Regards,
Jeff

Member Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 1257 Location: Nebraska

Guest

These issues are why I will never walk away from the 12 gauge. I no longer own any 20 gauge shotguns, but the same could be said for the 20. I now have a 12 SxS I like set up for targets, and a "upland" style 12 gauge OU that also crosses over nicely for clays. I still shoot a lot of 16 gauge ammo, but I let the 12 carry a big share of the load. Wink

I hope the DR-16's come through!

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338