Shotgun reloading data?

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std7mag

New member
Ok, yes i know it's strange coming from me, but i'm looking for load data for shotguns.
I know a lot has to do with who makes the hull, wad used, and length of hull, shot load in ounces.
Looking at Alliant, i can't find any data for 3 inch 20 gage.
Looking for a good heavy turkey load. Thinking #5 shot.

I'll be using a Lee Loadall. I also note that Alliant doesn't list what bushing to use with their newer powders.

So, where would one find shotshell data that's up to date?

Thanks!
 
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std7mag

New member
Reallisticly, i don't know yet.
Haven't gotten any yet. Or wads, or shot. Heck, still waiting on the CZ720 i ordered, and the loader. :rolleyes:

Unless i want Win or Rem 7.5 shot, ammo hard to find around here.
Looking at MidwayUSA, $10-30 for a box of 5-10 shells for turkey. Plus shipping.
Reloading becomes a no-brainer.
 
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big al hunter

New member
I found several loads on Hodgdon's website. It's under load data. But it only has Hodgdon's powders. Lyman has a heap of shotgun data in their shotgun manual.
 
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std7mag

New member
Thanks!
I'll check out Lyman and Hogdgdon.

Not worried about using Hodgdon powder. Just looking for data for some safe loads.
 
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FrankenMauser

New member
The Lyman shot shell manual has no 20 ga 3" data.

I just went through every manual that I own, including several shotgun-only manuals. The only one with 20 ga 3" data is the Hodgdon "Basic Reloading Manual" (for Hodgdon, IMR, and Winchester powders) that you used to be able to have mailed to you. This one's dated Jan 2010. It's a duplicate of what's on their website, minus the newer powders.

Beyond that online data, I have no suggestions ... except, maybe, something from BPI. But, even then, you have to figure out which manual will have the data. ...It's probably worth giving them a call and asking if the data is even there - and where - before considering a purchase.

Edit: I see the Hodgdon 2017 "Basic Reloading Manual" available for free on the BPI website. So, perhaps, it may still be available from Hodgdon.
 
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std7mag

New member
When i saw the picture of the Hodgdon reloading booklet, i recognized it.
I asked the Mrs if she remembered seeing it.
Found it.
No 3" shells for 20ga. Heaviest load is 1oz.

Trying to track down Lyman info.

Thanks!
 
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std7mag

New member
I've luckily done it before with my Hawthorne bolt action 410.

My issue is I'm not the best caller. My neighbor is. But he refuses to go with me if I take the 410. :rolleyes:

That and I figured if i had another shotgun of my own that I enjoy shooting, i may do more small game hunting.
 
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RaySendero

New member
I reload a lot of shotgun shells.
But personally, I just buy my the turkey loads.

Doesn't take many rounds to get turkeys for the whole season.
So no reason to keep up with another different powder and wads
just for this small volume.

Another reason is to try different loads in your gun.
Shotguns can be picky as to what load patterns best.
Once you find 1 that's really good
You may not be able to duplicate it.
 
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David R

New member
I have the LYMAN shot shell handbook. PM me with what you have and I will try to help you out. I loaded some 20 guage 3" loads with #5 for squirrel. It was a little too much. I think they were Federal hulls.
David

Sent from my SM-T900 using Tapatalk
 
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FrankenMauser

New member
I have the LYMAN shot shell handbook. PM me with what you have and I will try to help you out.
Click to expand...
Hopefully it's a newer version with 20 ga 3" data.
I have the 3rd Edition. There's no data for this particular application (nor 3" slugs, for that matter).
 
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std7mag

New member
As i mentioned, i don't HAVE anything as of yet.
Wanted to look at data, to see what components i do want to get.
I have read that different manufacture/model hulls make a difference, same with wads.

I'm gonna call CAC Associates tomorrow. (www.cacassociatesinc.com) They are a local distributor that carries a lot of shotshell reloading components.
 
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RaySendero

New member
std7mag wrote:

I'm gonna call CAC Associates tomorrow. (www.cacassociatesinc.com) They are a local distributor that carries a lot of shotshell reloading components.
Click to expand...

std7mag, If I can't talk U into just buying Ur turkey loads, I'll ry to help.

I'm looking at my Lyman 4th Shotshell Reloading book.
Page 220 starts the 3" 20 gauge recipes.
It shows both 1-1/8 and 1-1/4 ounces.

I think for turkeys you'll want the 1-1/4 lead:
Shows 3 cases: Federal, Remington Unibody and Win Compression Formed
& these are mixed w/ Remington and Winchester wads.
Powder choices are slim for the 1-1/4s
w/ Blue Dot being common to all 3 cases.
Other powders shown are: SR4756, 800X, HS7 and 2400

U can cross-check this list with that of Ur local distributor.
 
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RC20

New member
Curious, with the price of powder, does it make sense to load shotgun shells?

Never did it just interested in the cost part.
 
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FrankenMauser

New member
Powder's cheap. Wads are cheap. Hulls are cheap. Primers aren't bad.
Shot is where the expense is.

If you just shoot cheap stuff, you'll rarely be able to reload for less than factory (even if using reclaimed shot).
But... If you want to tune a load to pattern as well as possible, or you shoot a lot of expensive stuff (like buckshot, slugs, .410, etc.), it can be well worth it.
 
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FITASC

New member
How much are you planning on reloading? The LLA sucks; it is plastic and cheap zinc; but if you're planning on a few boxes a years, then fine (although for a few boxes, just buy it)

I loaded some 20 guage 3" loads with #5 for squirrel. It was a little too much
Click to expand...

GEEZ, ya think? That is a hardy pheasant load

First, this is NOT metallic; so determine your load and go to the various powder maker sites like Hodgdon and Alliant and look for data - in 20, Remington hulls will be the best
then look for the powder and shot load that gives you the desired fps you want (you will still need to pattern) you will then get the wad, primer, etc., data you need
 
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SHR970

New member
If you want to go this route think Federal paper basewad, Cheddite, Fiocchi shells all Reifenhauser type (AKA Eurotrash) hulls. These will combine nicely with Longshot or Blue Dot powders and WAA20 or Rem SP20 (or claybuster equivilent) wads for the best velocities. LS and BD powders both drop close enough to the LLA powder bushings to be "let's see on the pattern board".

Edit to add: Nickel plated shot is best, Copper plated next.....magnum aka hard shot after that. It does and will make a difference going through the choke and feathers assuming head and neck hits don't do the job.
 
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44 AMP

Staff
I have some 3" 20ga data (1 1/8oz) in my 1970 Lyman manual. Not going to list it here, because its a bit out of date. (and, I don't think you can get the wads they used anymore....)

One thing I need to mention, is that reloading shotshells is NOT the same as reloading metallic cartridges. The tested loads are VERY specific, and every one I've seen in decades all have the same warning, DO NOT CHANGE ANY COMPONENTS! Only the size of shot can be changed, change ANYTHING else and the load is "invalid", and could generate dangerous pressures.

Unlike metallic cartridges, where you can change components (case brand, primer, bullet brand etc.,) and reduce the load and work back up, with shot shells, changing the case, primer, wad, wad pressure, anything (but the shot size), CAN change pressures, possibly dangerously. Shotguns are low pressure arms, and neither the case nor the guns have a lot of reserve in them to handle overpressure loads.

Shot shell reloading is a matter of reproducing the listed loads EXACTLY, and unlike metallic cartridges, there is much less margin for pressure excursions.
 
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