BP shot shell reloading

[Fogman01]

Oh I doubt I'll ever use it to actually hunt pheasants - the two triggers are awkward and it isn't too safe to walk around hunting with the hammers cocked which is what I would have to do with no safety. It takes too long to cock them and then get my fingers onto the triggers while trying to shoulder the gun - the pheasants would be WAY ahead of the smoke column! But good point on the spotter - I'll position my daughter and her husband upwind on the trap range so they can tell me if I might have hit the target. I have to remember to lead it - don't have to do that in silhouettes.

I don't know what make the shot gun is - not much writing on it... it's not an AYA - much less expensive than one of those - this would be an El Ted Estevens equivalent I think. It's very light weight so I'll notice 70-80 grains of powder.

[Kurt]

Yes, cocking the hammer on a double is a little slower but when you use a hammer double it gets to be natural cocking the hammer while bringing the gun up to the shoulder. I don't think it's any slower than pushing the safety off bringing it up.

Hey Fogy, make smoke with the Family and enjoy it. If your too slow I'm sure your Daughter will beat you to it making feathers fly

[desert deuce]

Yes, cocking the hammer on a double is a little slower but when you use a hammer double it gets to be natural cocking the hammer while bringing the gun up to the shoulder. I don't think it's any slower than pushing the safety off bringing it up.

Hey Fogy, make smoke with the Family and enjoy it. If your too slow I'm sure your Daughter will beat you to it making feathers fly

Kurt has a point, good family relations to give the others a chance. You should not have a problem getting to 1200 fps with black so clay targets should not be a problem. If you use polywad you might try Windex with vinegar to get the goo out of the barrels. Practicing a little with shouldering the double while cocking the hammers works, just make sure you don't wear out one barrel by using it more than the other.

[Fogman01]

This is my daughter with her first pheasant - she will only use that Remington 20 ga pump. She has a great time bird hunting and now we'll be bringing her new husband along too. She bought him a shot gun and I went with him to the trap range cause he'd never done it and he wanted to get at least as good as she is before he shot with her. It didn't take him long to get the hang of it. He is a retired Army Black Hawk pilot. I'll test some of these loads next week at my range then go to the trap range with them.

[Don McDowell]

Love that smile on her face. Great to see young ladies out enjoying the hunt.
I have an 870 express 20 , that treats me real well on pheasants and ducks.

[bobw]

Fogman, last issue of the 2019 Hodgon's loading manual had an excellent article on loading Old E in the 12, 10 and 16 by Ross Seyfried. You should get that also it's a great reference. bobw

[Fogman01]

Thanks - I'll look it up. I took it out to shoot a few clays from a hand thrower just to see how the loads worked - What a hoot! I used 3 drams of 3F Schutzen - plenty and Desert Duece is right - you need to shoot them upwind! We're going out this Sunday to shoot some pheasants but I think I'll use my 870 for that - I'd like to know I am going to get some Thanksgiving birds on the table. Maybe I'll use it for our Christmas hunt. In the meantime I'll bust some clays with it!

[Don McDowell]

You're having way to much fun Colonel.

[Dave Roelle]

I find the lighter loadings pattern much nicer than heavy loads

Also the courser powders seem conducive to even patterns

This is with the standard historic loading of, over-powder card, felt cushion wad with thin over shot card sealed with white glue

This Smith was my great grandads and its as effective as any shotgun i have. Shoot yours some and the hammers and triggers become second nature, DON'T OVERTHINK THIS and have some fun !!!!!!

Dave