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Member Joined: 09 Sep 2014 Posts: 105 Location: Virginia

Want some real light loads for my Parker Trojan 16, Have been using 19 grs Unique and 1 oz shot, some fold crimps in RGLs with filler wads, other load roll crimped in RSTs. It's more than necessary. I don't see any reason to use more than 3/4 oz shot at about 1160 FPS for clay targets on short courses. Some 12s I go as light as 5/8 oz for skeet targets although that's probably going too far. 7/8 is a better load for most SxS 12s. Enough opinion now the question.

Have a good supply of Claybuster 1 oz wads and a small supply of DR 16s. Unique lightest load is see in the spreadsheets is 16 grs. I see Green dot loads as light as 14.5 I could use Hodgen Clays but have so little no sense in working up loads. Plenty of 20/28'on hand too

Reason is I have a 20 g Trojan that's a near twin to the 16 have a nice 3/4 oz load with 20/28 want the two guns to handle the same.

How light do you guys go, Any suggestions ?

Boats

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

A 3/4 oz load in an RGL with a DR 16 is a perfect fit. I have made them with PB Sad

and with American Select. The AS load was fabulous, but I'm almost out of powder. Tried 20/28 and they go bang, but unless you're pushing it relatively fast they are inefficient and inconsistent - pressure's a bit too low. Could try 15-20 grains of 20/28 and see what you get. I would look at Green Dot, International, American Select or any of the standard 12 gauge powders like Clays, Clay Dot, 700X, Red Dot or another such powder for a 3/4 oz load going 1150-1200 fps. I have a bunch of 700X and may have to look at loading that later this year if I don't find one of my favs.
Good luck,
Jeff

Member Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 1338

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

That 5/8 load looks fabulous. I may have to try that. Now if I could only find some Green Dot.
Regards,
Jeff

Member Joined: 09 Sep 2014 Posts: 105 Location: Virginia

Good tips think I will go with Green dot. I shot 3 rounds of skeet yesterday 12 g 5/8. From breaks no way to tell how light the shot load was. Recoil In my 100 year old 7 lb gun a pleasure.

Everyday load stock up lots of 16 g shells 3/4 is going to suit me best. Soon as I get it worked out will try 5/8

Boats.

My go-to is simply Mike's load with 13.5-14 grns of RedDot . Was the only powder around for a while , and I'm loving it . They even still cycle my 48's .

Member Joined: 09 Sep 2014 Posts: 105 Location: Virginia

Red Dot is my go to 12 g powder

Last few months we have been able to buy all the Alliant powders . Shelves full they sell out of some, couple weeks later full again . Eastern Virginia.

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3177 Location: NCWa

Back when the state allowed handloaded ammo in HE courses, I loaded some as light as I figured would go bang. For the 16 ga I had loads down to 5/8oz using DR16 wads and Green Dot. It was sufficient to break clays.

HE courses?? Home Economics??

Joined: 26 Apr 2010 Posts: 3177 Location: NCWa

HE stands for High Energy, it's the replacement for CF- just ask Winchester. It's a lot better- so their ad agency says. Wink