Minimum load (?)

[Homebrew2]

Hi all,
Been reloading metalic for years. New to shotty reloading. In doing my research via manual, I don't see a min - max powder charge. My intent is to get a load near the Win Featherlites, for a specific purpose. Is there a danger of under loading a shotty shell as there is in metallic ?
Thanks for any help

[-hanko]

Hi all,
Been reloading metalic for years. New to shotty reloading. In doing my research via manual, I don't see a min - max powder charge. My intent is to get a load near the Win Featherlites, for a specific purpose. Is there a danger of under loading a shotty shell as there is in metallic ?
Thanks for any help

Welcome to calguns.

Find the shot weight and velocity of the win featherlite you're trying to duplicate.

Determine the type of hulls you're reloading.

Use a powder charge that will get you the featherlite velocity with your chosen weight in your hulls...you can use a good reloading manual or 2 or 3 or the internet. SG reloading tables typically don't give min/max as do pistol or rifle tables.

Btw, check my sig...

-hanko

[mjsweims]

Actually there are mins and maximiums. The main difference is that different wads allow for different powder charges.
With shotgun shells you are always loading with all the space filled. Depending on the shot load, hull and powder load, the wad will compress so that the shot is never loose (unless you are doing something wrong). The lower published powder loads will give lower velocities, and the higher powder loads higher velocities. If you want to go below the lowest powder load, you have to change your wad, or increase the shot load. I wouldn't go above the higher powder load for a given wad/hull/shot charge. It is best to stay on the load tables, or you can get pressure spikes.
I don't reload slugs so don't know what applies there.

[Revoman]

It's always best to stay with published recipes for shotshell reloading as all of the components have to gel with each other. It might seem like it doesn't matter, but it does.

It makes a huge difference if you do not use all of the components that a recipe recommends, differing shot loads (ounces) different wads or hulls all should be strictly followed, especially if you are just starting out. Shotshell loading is very different from metallic, sure there are a few similarities, but for the most part it is no where near metallic.

Believe it or not, RCBS has a great shotshell reloading manual with lots of good information and recipes. Do yourself a favor and get a good manual, if it's RCBS or not is no matter. It matters that you read and understand the process and importance of following recipes......and I'm not talking about recipes from the guy down the street unless it's published.

You should be able to get close to your featherlite loads from those manuals/recipes, however, all manufactures use a special blend of powder that is not available to you and me, so we have to settle for close enough.

[Homebrew2]

Thank you for all the replies!
I have a manual (that I believe I mentioned and have reviewed the online powder mfg tables. I've yet to find any listing which approaches a velocity of 980 fps for a 26 gram payload, which is what Win lists on their website for the featherlites.
Is there a ref someone can point me to for a load like that as I can't find anything for less than ~1100+ fps.

[TERRYGER]

Thank you for all the replies!
I have a manual (that I believe I mentioned and have reviewed the online powder mfg tables. I've yet to find any listing which approaches a velocity of 980 fps for a 26 gram payload, which is what Win lists on their website for the featherlites.
Is there a ref someone can point me to for a load like that as I can't find anything for less than ~1100+ fps.

you need to aquire many reloading manuals. i have about 16 but eeverytime i see a new papaerback i grab it. you will find what you are looking for. or close to it.

underlaoding is dangerous as you can leave debris in the barrel and blow your face off on the next round.

don't follow what win says about payload and veleocity but what they say in their reoalding manuals for powder charge, type, wad and hull for the 7/8 oz (26 gram) rounds.

i shot 7/8 at trap for years. saved on shot and powder.

and you will have a lot more luck searching for "shotgun" loading manuals. shotguns are real weapons.

"shottys" are imaginary toy guns used in video games.

[Homebrew2]

Thank you. I studied your reply and did some further research and found the powder/wad/shell combo appropriate for what I want. You helped me realize the dynamic effect of the various compoments in shotshells as opposed to the more static nature of metallics.
Cheers!

It's always best to stay with published recipes for shotshell reloading as all of the components have to gel with each other. It might seem like it doesn't matter, but it does.

It makes a huge difference if you do not use all of the components that a recipe recommends, differing shot loads (ounces) different wads or hulls all should be strictly followed, especially if you are just starting out. Shotshell loading is very different from metallic, sure there are a few similarities, but for the most part it is no where near metallic.

Believe it or not, RCBS has a great shotshell reloading manual with lots of good information and recipes. Do yourself a favor and get a good manual, if it's RCBS or not is no matter. It matters that you read and understand the process and importance of following recipes......and I'm not talking about recipes from the guy down the street unless it's published.

You should be able to get close to your featherlite loads from those manuals/recipes, however, all manufactures use a special blend of powder that is not available to you and me, so we have to settle for close enough.