Dave McCracken
Moderator In Memoriam
Following something that fellow Mod rbernie wrote, I've been experimenting with 3/4 oz 12 gauge loads. Using published data from Hodgdon, BP,et al, I worked up a training load a while back and just bumped the powder up one bushing. Shot size and make was my usual for this time of year, 8.5 West Coast Magnum.
I've used these at Wobble and SC, instead of my standard 7/8 oz loads. Chokes in my well broken in Beretta O/U were mostly LM/M, or 15/20 POC. More choke than needed and more than I usually use, but I wanted hard breaks. I got them. Heck, there was smoke often enough to raise my eyebrow.
As is my routine for practice, I shot a round of Sporting Clays first,then a pair of Wobble rounds. At Wobble, target distance at break for me is between 30 and 35 yards. The 3/4 oz loads broke most SC targets OK, and the ones that didn't were mostly the ones that I have trouble with anyway.
Today I shot a round of SC then one round of Wobble. A Mom and Dad had showed up with three adolescent girls that had never shot. Dad hadn't shot in years, Mom had shot just once before.
My Beretta has a 15" LOP, but I let them use it with a box of the 3/4 oz loads just to familiarize themselves and to feel how the gun moved,sans pain.
It worked, despite novice form and bad fit. I had everyone try a few shots and left the rest of the box with them when I left to start on the Honeydos.
So, if you'd like less kick, lower reloading costs or have a new shooter to start off, consider the 3/4 oz loads.
They work.
And rbernie, I owe you one.....
I've used these at Wobble and SC, instead of my standard 7/8 oz loads. Chokes in my well broken in Beretta O/U were mostly LM/M, or 15/20 POC. More choke than needed and more than I usually use, but I wanted hard breaks. I got them. Heck, there was smoke often enough to raise my eyebrow.
As is my routine for practice, I shot a round of Sporting Clays first,then a pair of Wobble rounds. At Wobble, target distance at break for me is between 30 and 35 yards. The 3/4 oz loads broke most SC targets OK, and the ones that didn't were mostly the ones that I have trouble with anyway.
Today I shot a round of SC then one round of Wobble. A Mom and Dad had showed up with three adolescent girls that had never shot. Dad hadn't shot in years, Mom had shot just once before.
My Beretta has a 15" LOP, but I let them use it with a box of the 3/4 oz loads just to familiarize themselves and to feel how the gun moved,sans pain.
It worked, despite novice form and bad fit. I had everyone try a few shots and left the rest of the box with them when I left to start on the Honeydos.
So, if you'd like less kick, lower reloading costs or have a new shooter to start off, consider the 3/4 oz loads.
They work.
And rbernie, I owe you one.....