neutron619 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 I'd value some opinions on which direction to take with my reloading. I've got a bit of money to spend, possibly on reloading kit and I'm trying to decide what direction to take. I've been using A1 and A0 for the last couple of years and they've worked well. I've got a very good 16 gauge load (28g/#6) worked up with A1 and a good heavy 12 gauge load (39g/#5) which uses A0. I've also posted on this forum in the past about a 12-gauge 34g/#5 load I'd tried with A0, but that didn't work out very well in the end. Lovely to shoot, but the patterns were mediocre. In future, I'd like to carry on playing around with the heavy (and slow) stuff. I'd quite like to make some "classic" pigeon loads (e.g. 36g/#7) and maybe some old school clay loads (e.g. 32g/#8) and so on. Don't know about using them in the field / clay ground - depends how well they turn out. When I bought my original supplies, I didn't expect to end up where I have, so to speak. I've ended up mostly making loads that are about halfway between what A1 and A0 are "intended for", rather than two distinct groups of "mid range" and "heavy" shells. Both powders are also 75% more expensive since I last bought them. That makes me think that there might be a single, better powder somewhere between the two - preferably a cheaper one - that I can use to create basically the same loads: something suited for 36g rather than 40g in the 12 gauge that'll stretch a few grams in either direction. I'd guess that would equate to about 30g in the 16 gauge and stretch down to 28g as well. The only reservation I have is that the 16ga A1 load is very, very good in my gun (85% @ 40yd and beautifully even) and I don't really want to give up that kind of performance for the sake of a few quid. So - what would you do? Stick with the old powders and pay the extra, or is there another candidate powder that might cover all the bases? Or keep going with the A1 and find a new 12-gauge powder? All thoughts and opinions will be welcome. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 there is no inbetween powder. i run A1 with 36g and 42g lead loads with the sacrifice in speed in 12 gauge. now that i know what i know, i wouldnt use A1 with 32g loads it takes alot of puff to get get going, sure its what the powder is suited for. the only powder that comes to mind is A1-36. and it is not available. for the 32g loads AS is probably the best option, and there is a ton of data out there for your 32g 12gauge option. the A1 seems to be in a 12gauge nirvana. if you were ok with a speed penalty, 42g loads are possible. 1200fps and you should have nice patterns.... just for giggles.... load up 32g #8 and 42g #8 the issue with A0 is its slow, unless you want to shoot 50grams or some such, i wouldnt even entertain it at that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neutron619 Posted October 4, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 there is no inbetween powder. ... load up 32g #8 and 42g #8 Thanks cooky - but just to clarify - I mean powders from any manufacturer, not just Vectan. Does your comment still stand? I'm seeing Nobel powders for £20/tub where Vectan is £35/tub and many others, so if there's something suitable from one of the other makers.... I can see some possibilities from the powder burn rate chart, but that isn't the same as tried / tested recipes etc. Do you have any pressure / velocity data for a 36g load with A1? As for the #8 - playing around with those has been on my radar for a long time. I've got some 3" cases around somewhere too... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fen tiger Posted October 4, 2017 Report Share Posted October 4, 2017 A1 works well in the 16 but one load did work was 1oz with PSB2 not quite as fast as the A1 loadings at 1150fps but patterned great in my Hammer gun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 Thanks cooky - but just to clarify - I mean powders from any manufacturer, not just Vectan. Does your comment still stand? I'm seeing Nobel powders for £20/tub where Vectan is £35/tub and many others, so if there's something suitable from one of the other makers.... I can see some possibilities from the powder burn rate chart, but that isn't the same as tried / tested recipes etc. Do you have any pressure / velocity data for a 36g load with A1? As for the #8 - playing around with those has been on my radar for a long time. I've got some 3" cases around somewhere too... vectan is nobelsport. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted October 5, 2017 Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 I reckon you will need to continue to use 2 powders rather than attempt to make everything with just one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neutron619 Posted October 5, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2017 vectan is nobelsport. Gah. The others on C&G in their funny categories then. Anything at £20 / tub. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakapiken Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 Hi. Have you tried IMR 800x. Wonderfull powder for 34-37g loads, patterns well and soft recoil. IT is A duble base powder and performs very good in cold weather. J.A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neutron619 Posted October 9, 2017 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 Hi. Have you tried IMR 800x. Wonderfull powder for 34-37g loads, patterns well and soft recoil. IT is A duble base powder and performs very good in cold weather. J.A. I haven't, but I'll add it to the list. Thank you for the recommendation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Continental Shooter Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 800x is a great powder, in 20 bore i load it for 27 to 33 g lead and 27 ITX-10. Unfortunately, at £50/lbs is a bit expensive LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hakapiken Posted October 9, 2017 Report Share Posted October 9, 2017 800x is a great powder, in 20 bore i load it for 27 to 33 g lead and 27 ITX-10. Unfortunately, at £50/lbs is a bit expensive LOL In Norway 800x is one of the cheapest powders for shotgun at £30/lbs J.A. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Continental Shooter Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 Luky for some i shall say I think it must be some import tax from US as the price is pretty consistent across EU countries. Let's hope Brexit will take the price down as I could really do with a few Kgs of 800X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest cookoff013 Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 Luky for some i shall say I think it must be some import tax from US as the price is pretty consistent across EU countries. Let's hope Brexit will take the price down as I could really do with a few Kgs of 800X The brexit gunpowder plot ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Continental Shooter Posted October 10, 2017 Report Share Posted October 10, 2017 imagine these ITX or TSS shots coming across at £20/Lbs & £10/Lbs..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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