I need a load for #4 buckshot for a 2 3/4 inch 20 ga shell using either Unique or Herco. I believe you get like 12 pellets in a 2 3/4 shell?

The following load is published in the 3rd edition of Reloading for Shotguns;

20g 2 3/4" shells
Federal Plastic Hi Power case
18 count of #4 buckshot
Federal 209 primer
Rem SP20 wad
19.0grs Herco powder
1275fps
11,000 psi

Another load published for exactly the same components as above only using 25.0grs Blue Dot for same 1275fps at 9,500 psi.

Thank you sir.

If you haven't already run the numbers, the 18 count of #4 buckshot is a 24gm or 7/8oz charge.

I ran a test load of 18 grains of Herco in a Cheddite shell with the 18 pellets of #4 with shotbuffer in it and got 1221 fps. I think that I'm happy with that. Thanks for your help. Oh I lowered powder one grain because it was a different shell case that you mentioned.

Glad the load is working for you. The Federal Plastic Hi Power is a two piece case i.e. it has a separate paper base wad similar in type to Cheddite cases so you could have safely used the 19.0gr Herco load.

The 3rd Edition loading manual does list a load using the same components as the Blue Dot powder load I posted only dropping the charge of powder to 24.0gr giving the same velocity and pressure as the loading in the Federal case with 25.0gr BD powder. This is logical as Win compression formed cases do have less internal volume than two piece cases.

Thanks again, that is good information.

quote:

Originally posted by eagle27:
The following load is published in the 3rd edition of Reloading for Shotguns;

20g 2 3/4" shells
Federal Plastic Hi Power case
18 count of #4 buckshot
Federal 209 primer
Rem SP20 wad
19.0grs Herco powder
1275fps
11,000 psi

Another load published for exactly the same components as above only using 25.0grs Blue Dot for same 1275fps at 9,500 psi.

I loaded a very similar load and it worked well.

Side note I shot a flying crow and a flying grouse with in in my youth.