16ga.com ~ View topic - What is a good all around powder for hunting?

Joined: 25 Jun 2006 Posts: 79 Location: SE Pa

I want to load up some good hunting loads for prairie birds and grouse. I do not need low pressure as I am shooting a new Fox 16 gauge. I have always liked Int Clays, but wanted to see if there is a better powder. I like a very clean burning powder for 1 oz loads. I have lots of Fiocchi hulls and primers and would like to keep it around 1200 fps. Thanks!

Joined: 09 Jul 2009 Posts: 510 Location: Central CT

Hi,

Universal Clays, Hodgdon has a lot of data, really clean and a lot of different load combinations. And if you aren't happy with their data, I believe that there is the Low Pressure Group that I have seen written about that has lots of data.

That is a difficult question to answer because with respect to different loads all barrels are not equal, This is what I did when I bought a new AyA #2 16 gauge. First and probably the most important is to buy Lyman's 5th addition reloading manual. Contained in that manual are numerous loads, many with the specifics you require. After assembling a few loads, I went to the pattern board for for testing. I continued experimenting and the following is what I now use for my 1 oz. hunting loads.

1 oz. CP/NP #7,#6 or #5 1/2 shot and 22.5 gr Unique, SP16 wad
1 oz. CP/NP #7,#6, or #5 1/2 shot and 23 gr. Herco, SP16 wad
1 oz. CP/NP #7, #6, or #5 1/2 shot 21.5 gr. Universal Clay, SP16 wad

Clean was not a consideration, pattern symmetry and shot dispersal were my objectives. The unique loads were the best patterning and herco and Universal were fairly equal.
All are around 1200-1220 fps.

Guest

jschultz, what hull and primer were you using for those loads? Fiocchi?

Guest

Kevin,
I wish I could be of more help. I've hoarded so many factory loads that my Grabber is just set up for target stuff.

One factory load that has always done well in my 1620 is the Federal 1 1/8 oz of 6 shot. They are 1295 fps and just seem to work well in my gun. I shoot a lot of IA and MN pheasants with this load. Your mileage may differ! Smile

Member Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 107 Location: Idaho

I like Unique, 1 oz loads.

I also like & use Unique, followed by IMR PB for 1 oz. 16 loads.

Member Joined: 15 Mar 2007 Posts: 601 Location: Virginia

All my 16 gauge hunting loads consist of the following recipe:

Federal hull
Win 209 primer
20gr Unique
Rem 16SP wad
1-1/4 oz of whatever shot size

It kills 'em all.

Dan

My apologies, The loads that i mentioned above:
1 oz. CP/NP #7,#6 or #5 1/2 shot and 22.5 gr Unique, SP16 wad
1 oz. CP/NP #7,#6, or #5 1/2 shot and 23 gr. Herco, SP16 wad
1 oz. CP/NP #7, #6, or #5 1/2 shot 21.5 gr. Universal Clay, SP16 wad

Were initially shot out of BPI Mxulti-Hull hulls and Cheddite hulls with Winchester primers. Several years ago, I switched to RMC all brass hulls and will not go back to paper or plastic for my hunting loads. The brass hull and my barrels are very compatible and I get beautiful, symmetrical patterns with even shot dispersion. I recognize that all brass hulls are not for everyone. When I shoot 1 1/8 oz loads the powder that I use is Trail Boss and it works for me.

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

If it came down to one powder for all around versatility--UNIQUE--hands down Wink

Joined: 19 Apr 2008 Posts: 477

Ditto on Unique. An old stand-by. I've been loading it for decades. Everytime I get an urge to experiment or reload a new gauge it seems there are always very nice Unique loads. If not THE best, an awfully good place to start.