What's the best metering powder for 11/8 loads

For a 1 1/8 1200 ft load thanks rob

 

Well thats like asking if you like Coors , Bud, or Old Mil. I personally like 700X in my Federal Top Gun shells, 18.3 gr. Nobel Sport Primer, CB2118 wad. I have had very good luck with that load. Steve

 

I get the most consistent weights with ball powder, they seem to roll into the bushing, no edges.

 

19.4 grains Vectan AS, Federal Gold Medal plastic, Fed 209 primer, 12s3 (or clone) wad. 1200fps and burns super clean. Larry

 

Forgot to include the metering of the powder....... runs through a MEC 9000 with a UCB just great. Most weights are spot on with 1/10 plus or minus if there is variation.... Larry

 

Larry: Since your load with Vectan is pretty close to 700X, how do you like the way the Vectan shoots? Clean or dirty? Its interesting that the Vectan is looking like it might be easier to get and you get more than 1# in a jar. I haven't seen if they make 8# jugs yet. Steve

 

Good morning Steve,
I shoot an 1100 Competition Synthetic. A common complaint with trap shooters is the need for constant cleaning with the 1100 platform for shooting. If the Vectan was as common as the 700X in days past the cleaning complaint about the 1100 would have never happened. I have been shooting 700X because it worked well and was one of the cleaner powders I had access to. I fired 600 rounds of Vectan AS this weekend. There is a black residue for about 1" behind the barrel gas ports and just a dusting behind that. The magazine tube is nickel so it is easy to see. The tube wipes down with a paper towel, I will use a little RemOil and a piece of 0000 steel wool to remove the heavier black at the port. I have only been involved in trap for 3 years so my experience is limited, Vectan is absolutely the cleanest powder I have used in those 3 years. Past powders have been Red Dot, Promo, Clays, Green Dot, Unique and a couple others. The only residue I find in the barrel is a bit of wad. With the other powders I would clean the trigger group after each weekend. That is not needed now, I just went to the gun room and pulled it for a look-see. I will clean it since its out but the only contamination was a very light dusting of "smoke". I guess you can tell I like the powder..... it is what I will be shooting from now on..... Larry

 

Larry don't us OOOO steel wool on Mag tube, it's bad on it. Use brass brush or brass wool.

 

The brass brushes I tried previously on the nickel plated mag tube required prolonged use with heavy force to remove the heavier buildup, I will order some brass wool and give it a try. I do use RemOil or Kroil while using the 0000, what damage should I be looking for? My visual examination reveals no marks or scoring... Larry

 

Larry, Thank you for your information on the Vectan AS. It makes me feel good and I see it available on line so I will be talking to my suppliers in the Boston area and see if they will stock it so I can try it myself. Thanks again, Steve

 

I am also using Vectan powder. I prefer the GM3 for my 1 1/8oz. loads. It meters extremely well for me using a Mec 9000H with a universal charge bar. I would have to say it meters as well as PB used to. I'm loading 22.5gr of GM3 and I have been consistently +/_ 1gr. of powder on the drops. I like it so much I just ordered another 20 cans of it from Grafs.... I'm going to stick with it for a while since Green Dot is not available in my area, and I actually prefer it to Green Dot... Just my experience...

 

Larry using 0000 Steel wool will wear down your magazine tube, very slow but it will. That's why the brass brush or brass wool.
What MEC powder bushing are you guys using for Vectan AS ? Thanks

 

The brass wool is ordered.
I do not use a powder bushing, I have an adjustable charge bar on my MEC 9000. 19.4 grains of the AS in a straight wall hull is a great 1225 1 1/8 load and I load the Remington hulls with 18.5 grains and a windjammer wad........ Works for me.
Larry

 

I agree on Ball Powder metering,

Gary Bryant Dr.longshot

 

Shot Gun powder does not need the precision drops that competition Rifle shells need, you cannot tell a grain in difference, also speed is not that great.

The lower pressure powders do seem to pattern better, Like Green Dot, Solo1000, International Clays, and believe it or not American Select.

For years I shot 18 grs of Green Dot in any hull, always the same powder drop, it was slower in Straight Wall Hulls, it was about 1120 fps.

The most widely used powder is still Red Dot, it is a good performer just as well as 700-x.

I switched to Promo when it came out, as it was $68.00 per 8 lb, it is one of the fastest selling powders on the market, not REAL CLEAN, But not REAL DIRTY when loaded at 9500psi-10,300psi.

Any powder will burn dirty at low pressures, why? Incomplete burning.

On my Longshot Loads, I load nothing over 10,300psi, my 1500+ loads and only 1 1/8th oz #6s, They have lower pressures than a new AA Super Handicap Shell, This is the slowest burning powder that I know of on the Market.

I have 55 years of loading expierence behind me. Herco was once all every game shooter loaded for longer shots, then came along 4756, 7625, AL-5-
AL-7,540, 571, just to name a few. Those were Dupont, Alcan, and Winchester powders.

I hope you enjoyed this thread

Gary Bryant Dr.longshot

 

Dan is that a Commercial Powder I have heard about?

 

Gary... Vectan powder is made in France and is a Noble Sport powder. You can buy it from Graf's, Selway Armory, and several other outlets... I'm paying $16.95 for 1.1lb bottles. I, too, have been reloading shotgun loads for well over 45 years. Ducks, Geese, Trapshooting, Annies, Buddy shoots, etc. I have loaded just about every powder available in those years. No longer hunt ducks and geese, but I shoot a load of trap... I had settled on REX I for singles and doubles and REX II for handicap. When Rex ran out, I went back to Green Dot and Red Dot. Now that Green Dot is not available, I decided to try the Vectan GM3 for my handicap loads. Trust me on this one Gary, it's as good, or better, than Green Dot ever was.... I'm still loading Red Dot for singles and doubles, but, the Vectan GM3 is now my go to powder for handicap....

 

I can get you a 25lb keg of REX III I know a supplier with it.

 

Thanks Gary, but I only used REX I and II. Longshot or Herco for games... Dan

 

IMHO Winchester Super Target as I have no experience with any other.

 

I have been trying Titegroup a bit lately.......... meters very well and the load I use burns cleanly in my 1100 Comp and my 101 DG unsingle....... Larry

 

Tuff to beat 700X for 27 yard reloads. A little dirty but with 1oz loads I haven't found anything better or cheaper in the last 40 years of reloading. And it always meters well regardless of which machine I loaded on. And I've pretty much tried most powders at one time or another depending on availability.

 

I can purchase Titegroup locally for $18 a full lb........ most other available here are $20+ and usually in 14oz containers. 700X is not on the shelves here but a club not too far away has 8lbs for $130, that powder works well also........ Larry

 

As for consistent metering, it would not be 800X.

 

All 12 gauge lead shot target powders meter good enough.

 

I have been using Titegroup for years,meters great and 15.9 for 16s,gives 1145,18.2 gives me 1230 for 27yd caps