The 12 Gauge Goes Casual

For casual target shooting with family or friends, reduced handloads in a 12 gauge open up a whole new dimension in shotgun shooting. What's more, they're easy to assemble.

The point is: Why use more shot than necessary to break hand- or trap-tossed close-in clays? In addition, mild-kicking, reduced 12-gauge loads let younger or less experienced shooters ease into the 12 gauge without experiencing much recoil. In short, reduced loads are fun, inexpensive and bring out versatility in the 12 gauge that is often overlooked.

The secret to the process is the use of 20-gauge card and fiber wads placed at the bottom of a normal 12 gauge plastic shotcup to take up space and reduce the weight of the shot column. The other secret is the use of IMR-7625 powder that seems almost made for the process.

In practice, just line up a number of AA12SL wads on your reloading bench, insert the filler wads in the shotcup, and assemble the load as normal in your press. I buy the filler wads from Ballistic Products.

These reduced loads won't normally cycle a semi-automatic, but they pattern well and can even be used in the field for doves and quail with a possible change in shot size if needed. As an alternative for a milder recoiling field load, refer to Winchester's loading data for their new 7/8 oz. 12 gauge wad #WAA12L designed to let handloaders duplicate the 24 gram Olympic load.

COPYRIGHT 1999 Publishers' Development Corporation
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group