hey guys,

I am trying to load for a .20ga Beretta autoloader. I have alot of REX 3 on hand, and tried some loads in the .20ga, and they would not cycle. The Beretta is gas opperated. Do I need a faster powder? Any sugestions?

Mark

There's tons of data on all the powder mfg. web sites. What are you loading for? Hunting orTarget?

I am loading for both

I use red dot and herco for all my 20ga loads. Red dot for the light loads herco for the heavey stuff. I shoot double and pumps don't know if they well operate a auto.

I use Hercules green Dot for my 20 gauge loads and never had a problem with cycling my semi-autos. Good powder that doesn't have a ton of fouling.

Green Dot and Unique for target loads and HS-6 for 1oz loads.

Never had a malfunction issue in my Beretta 20's with those.

quote:

Originally posted by Markhpb:
hey guys,

I am trying to load for a .20ga Beretta autoloader. I have alot of REX 3 on hand, and tried some loads in the .20ga, and they would not cycle. The Beretta is gas opperated. Do I need a faster powder? Any sugestions?

Mark

Make sure the gun is clean -- gas operated autoloaders are notoriously dirty and require frequent cleaning. They are also often subject to temperature variations -- they sometimes won't cycle when the weather is cold.

These autoloaders often will not cycle with light target loads. To get your gun to do so, you may need to enlarge your gas port (i.e. make the hole bigger) to get the gun to cycle. Make sure that your load is the highest one recommended for that powder/shot combination.

Hey guys,

Just loaded up a bunch with International. @q1 grs. and 7/8 oz. I will let you know what I find out. I hope they will cycle, as I can get it really cheap.

Mark

My typing sucks....21 grs.

Question on using Green Dot in a 20ga...what is your shot weight, charge weight, wad, and primer? I'm after a skeet load primarily.

Red Dot is definitely too fast-burning for 20 ga. loads. Green Dot (slower burning than Red Dot) will work, but it too is often considered to be too fast burning for full velocity (1200 f.p.s.) target loads, especially in Remington STS target hulls, but also in Winchester AA ones. If you are willing to reduce your load to about 1150 f.p.s., then you can find Green Dot skeet loads for 20 gauge at usable pressures (see the Alliant reloading manual).

I don't use subgauge tubes (i.e. a tube that goes inside the 12 gauge barrel to make a 20 gauge or 28 gauge or 410 gun), but I've been told that 20 gauge loads with Green Dot produce too high a pressure peak for those tubes -- it tends to harm them.

I use a 20 gauge over/under for skeet shooting. I've loaded 14.1 grains of Green Dot in either Remington STS or Winchester AA target hulls and the Claybuster clone of the WAA20 wad, with the primer that goes with the hull (Remington 209P with Remington Hulls, Winchester 209 with Winchester hulls), and 7/8 oz of shot. This works in my gun, but it may have too much pressure for a tubed one. It also probably produces about 1150 f.p.s. muzzle velocity instead of the standard 1200 f.p.s. of standard skeet loads.

I haven't tried this load in an autoloader.

Thanks for the info. I do shoot a tubed o/u, but don't want to damage the tubes. 1150 fps is fine and just under 7/8 oz shot weight. I've had separated shoulders in the past and don't want too much recoil, I even shoot 20ga in the 12ga and doubles events.

quote:

Originally posted by prof242:

I even shoot 20ga in the 12ga and doubles events.

Or you could use 7/8 oz. loads in a 12 gauge. See my other thread here about those loads.

I use unique or 20/28.

quote:

Originally posted by Customstox:
I use unique or 20/28.

I agree -- Unique is one of the very best choices for both 20 and 28 gauge.

Universal Clays for both 20 and 28 ga.
Peter

quote:

Unique is one of the very best choices for both 20 and 28 gauge.

Peter:

What powder charge do you use with Universal Clays for a 20 gauge light target load? I am trying to load for my 20 gauge SxS and 7.5 shot.

quote:

What powder charge do you use with Universal Clays for a 20 gauge light target load? I am trying to load for my 20 gauge SxS and 7.5 shot.

My 20 ga Skeet load is old style AA hulls, 7/8 oz #8 1/2 shot, 14.0 gr Universal Clays and the Claybuster 1078-20 wad. I shoot these in a Browning Citori with Bailey tubes.

quote:

I agree -- Unique is one of the very best choices for both 20 and 28 gauge.

I don't load for a 16 gauge, but assume it works well there, too. Unique also does fine in a 12 gauge in a wide range of loads if you want to stick to a single powder for everything except a .410. And, of course, it will work in just about any handgun cartridge, not to mention reduced loads in rifle cartridges. It is truly Unique.

For high-velocity one-ounce loads in a 20 gauge, I like WW 540 (same spec powder as HS-6).

I prefer Alliant's 20/28 it's a Unique knock off that IMO is cleaner than Unique and it's more dense. Thus it takes up less room which is needed when trying to fit a full 7/8 oz of shot in an AAHS hull. Having trouble getting a good crimp or a full 7/8 oz in an AAHS hull? Try the Down Range DRV-20 wad, Rem RXP wad or the Windjammer 20 wad.