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Joined: Apr 2011
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Can't figure out why I can't get my reloads to pattern. I shot at 15, 20 and 30 yards today and pattern is wide spread compared to some factory shells at the same range.
12 gauge
26 grains of 800X
WIN AA Hulls
1 1/8 oz shot
WIN or FED primers
DR-118 wads.

This is coming out of a 870 modified barrel.

What factors cause the pattern to open wider than factory? Pressure? I am reloading out of an old Texan progressive reloader.

Any idea's

Thanks!



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Shot size? velocity? Barrel length? When you say you can't get it to pattern, are you shooting into a 30" circle and counting pellet holes, or are you just "eyeballin'" it?


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Size is one thing, but uniformity is the real thing you are concerned with.

What's the velocity?


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The Lyman manual doesn't even go that high with 800x in a AA hull, nor does the IMR handloaders guide or RCBS manual. Even in straight wall hulls 26gr of 800x is pushing low 1300's to mid 1400's. I think you are working with a severe mismatch of components.

Is this a printed load you've found or something off the internet?


After the first shot the rest are just noise.

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The pattern is wide and not uniformed at all. We shot bluerocks with these loads (at least try). If I throw them out of a handthrower standing right next to somebody, they work very well as the shot is somewhere inside 20 yards. If we go to a club where they start at 16, then we can't hit squat. Switch to a store box and can improve greatly. So I patterned the reloads this weekend and my pattern at 20 and 30 yards was much more wide spread with holes in the pattern than a factory shell. I had never pattern the shot before as on doves and grouse last year, I had no issues with them, sure I missed some but nothing more than usual.
I have an older Texan autoloader that is dropping about 25.3 to 25.4 grains (I thought it was 26, but I just metered it). I had never payed that much attention to the brand of primers. I am using mostly 8 shot. This is coming out of a 28 inch modified 870 wingmaster. I have a large supply of 800x so I want to stay with that powder plus a large supply of AA hulls. The book says 1320 FPS (lyman 5th edition).


I am newer to reloading so I may be missing something obvious. When my son shot in a couple of junior high competitions, we used factory shells.

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If you go to Hodgdon's website, You'll see that most of the loads for 1 1/8 oz of shot with 800-X are in the range from 21-24 grains of powder. Not familiar with the DH wad; had to look it up....it's a direct WAA replacement,and the highest charge is around 24 grains.
My suggestion would be to reduce the powder charge and retest.


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What type of shot are you using. Better patterns if you
use high antimony shot, like Lawrence magnum or equal.

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That is a fast load. Too much velocity can blow holes in the pattern. Try less powder and see if there is a difference. I only use magnum shot and only run about 1250 fps for hunting loads.

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I agree with the above posters. Faster is not always better with shotgun loads. I would drop the charge at least 2 grains and see what happens.


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I think LeonH nailed it. Your load may be way to fast, and faster = more dispersion in pattern.


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Thanks guys, I am going to drop the powder a couple of grains to about 23 even and see what the pattern looks like. Anybody have a good receipe for 800x in AA hulls? In about 1 1/8 oz shot.

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Hodgdonreloading.com has dozens of loads listed for 1 1/8 loads with 800x.

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Originally Posted by websterparish47
Hodgdonreloading.com has dozens of loads listed for 1 1/8 loads with 800x.

But none with a charge weight that high.
As has already been suggested, too much powder and too soft a shot composition will spread patterns.
Cat


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Did you try them again? How did it go?
I am setting to load up a batch of 7/8oz with Titewad and STS hulls. Should clock somewhere between 1200-1300fps.

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I dropped to 22.5 grains of 800X with the 1 1/8 shot, Win Primer, AA shell and replacement Downrange WAA12 wads. Name on the shot bag is Eagle. 20 yard comparison was about the same as a factory shell. 30 yard comparison was better than before but not quite what I like to see. I am going to run the test again on a 30 inch circle and count the holes this time to get a true mathematical count. I am getting closer. I want to stay with 800X and I want to be close to 1200 fps.


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Sounds like your headed in the right direction. Internet says Eagle shot is extra hard, which is what you need.


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