12 Guage powder level discussion

[Koolbak]

So I've reloaded forever (12 Guage) for playing / hunting. Used to use a 19 grain sleeve but upped to a 21.5....it's my biggest one.

All my shotguns operate fine with this (bird guns).

Recently I bought a Dickinson hybrid XXPA 12BS. In semi mode, it won't cycle with my rounds (or with normal factory 2.75 bird loads). It's designed to run 3" and I guess mine are too girly....lol.

So....I wanna figure out a load that will work. Thinking 28-30 grains to start. My 21.5 weigh 1.5 so thinking upping that to 1 8-2.0 grams ...

That should cycle the action?

Any thots? I want to play with this bad boy but refuse to pay ridiculous 3" prices...

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[Certaindeaf]

Yea, that otta work.
Oh by the way, what kind of powder are you talking about?









lol

 

[cowboykid8]

Uh what powder? And what weight of charge? You may need to switch to a different powder for more PSI that is still a safe load. Is there a factory shell that currently works?

 

[cowboykid8]

Did you do the 100 round magnum load break in? This is critical in some shotguns to get it to cycle lighter loads.

 

[Koolbak]

Ok...appreciate the input guys.

Adding pic of powder.
2.75" so 1 1/8 shot.
Thinking more powder will equal higher FPS and bigger kick, thus cycling the action.....again, this is why I'm posting....lol

No.... I did NOT do any fancy break in. First I've heard of that. I am NOT going to spend an assload of money on stupid shells hoping it breaks in...lol. Stubborn old bastard alert. If I can't make it work easily, I'll sell it as they are a hot commodity. Just a toy....there are other toys I like!

Finally, thanks again people....appreciated. One thing I read was to store it cocked...potentially stressing the spring and a different method to "break it in"....? Doing that....

 

[cowboykid8]

A hotter 1 1/8oz load should help break it in, Depending on the hull and other components you are using you would be close to max PSI with that powder. https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center

I saw the 100 round break in in the manual, if you are having issues with lighter shells it says use 100 magnum shells as a break in.

Spring physics confuses me so I won't weigh in on that!

 

[Koolbak]

Lol. I just want to shoot what I have. Got 9 other shotguns I can stick with... lol

So I am loading a handful of 30 grain, 1.2 oz 4 shot lead....if it doesn't work, look for a new battle buddy for sale

 

[cowboykid8]

30gr sounds like too much of International, I would be concerned with a PSI related failure... like a gun blowing up. 21.5 is in Hodgdons book, depending on the other components. I would say get a different powder, but there isn't a lot out there right now anyways.

 

[Koolbak]

30gr sounds like too much of International, I would be concerned with a PSI related failure... like a gun blowing up. 21.5 is in Hodgdons book, depending on the other components. I would say get a different powder, but there isn't a lot out there right now anyways.

That is my primary concern. I can't find any concrete data. The 3" magnums have a bubblegumload more than that...don't understand the difference....

 

[cowboykid8]

Different blends of powder for different applications, International is a lighter payload target powder. If you have other pistol powders on hand like HS-6 or HS-7 or Universal those can handle a larger payload.

Shotgun reloading doesn't have the same pressure indicators like you can see in rifle or pistol reloading. For me I stick to the book loads, adding a few extra grains doesn't always translate to PSI and velocity 1 to 1, so you could add a small amount of velocity but drive the PSI up a few 1000 over the max.

 

[Koolbak]

Well bubblegum. And no way to find out. Oh well . Sell the damn thing

 

[gmerkt]

For me I stick to the book loads, adding a few extra grains doesn't always translate to PSI and velocity 1 to 1, so you could add a small amount of velocity but drive the PSI up a few 1000 over the max.

All of this plus, unknown effect on payload performance. The propellant for lighter loads tends to be faster burning. Increasing the charge without science to know the effect might lead to a dangerous overload. The 3 inch shells use a slower powder.

 

[Koolbak]

I emailed the powder mfgr...see if they reply...

 

[Throckmorton]

you can find plenty of load data on the Hodgdon site, and wow, 30 grains looks DANGEROUS to me. 10 grains over max is what I'm seeing. WOW

 

[Koolbak]

you can find plenty of load data on the Hodgdon site, and wow, 30 grains looks DANGEROUS to me. 10 grains over max is what I'm seeing. WOW

Well their data goes to like 23. I've used 23 for 40 years for my trap / hunting loads.

I DID find a place that discussed PSI, which is the issue here. For a fast burning powder, which mine is, I'm calculating around 20M which is considerably above the 12M I've always used. Dangerous? I don't know...barrels rested that I read about fail at 50 but 20 is the "test" and I don't wanna be shooting at that level....lol. So...gonna load up some 25-26 grain and test that. Gonna disassemble my 30s...unless I find someone I hate to give them to

 

[Koolbak]

Also....it may all be moot as I've listed it for sale. If it goes away before I can test then oh well ....