Hodgdon "Perfect Pattern" shotgun powder

[H Richard]

Has anyone used this powder yet? I just picked some for a trial. I did go to the Hodgdon website and did select a "Load" I want to use, (for local trap & skeet leagues). A 1 oz of #8 shot, and a 1235 fps using STS hulls and Claybuster wads. It looks like a # 25 Mec bushing should throw that amount, naturally I have a 26 & 27 bushings bur no 25.


Has anyone done any load development yet?

 

[rufgr]

I have been using Perfect Pattern for about a month. I am using Winchester AA cases with a WAA12SL wad and one ounce of #8 shot. I am using 15 grains of powder for about 1175 fps. I use this load for 16 yard trap. Based on the way the targets break I believe it produces slightly better patterns than the previous one ounce load I was using at about 1250 fps. It also seems to be a very clean burning powder.

 

[Nevada Ed]

In a pinch until you find a #25..........

you might try several coats of the wife's fingernail polish to the inside of a extra 26 bushing ?

Good luck with the new powder.

Let us know how the pattern board turned out, please, if possible.

 

[H Richard]

Found out took a 19 mec bushing. MEC new chart shows a 18 for 16.2 gr. Powder is very fine and drops consistently. Loaded 7 shells to chronograph, but weather will have to get a lot warmer before I get to outdoor range with chronograph.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I'm set up with MEC presses for 12, 20 & 410. I took a plastic divided parts case That has big compartments on one side for the charge bars (also spare parts and tools) and smaller compartments for two bushings on the other. I have at least one of everything except the 10 gauge stuff. I refer to it as "The Index". If I change a load, I'm never short of powder bushings!

If you have charge bars that you dial in the powder charge and the shot charge. They use a very fine Allen key to lock the dials in place... I found you really need to lock them in place!

Ivan

 

[Nevada Ed]

I loaded Bullseye on my old Mec for 12 Ga. trap loads but with all the "Extra's" the fine powder still leaked, onto the slide.
I stopped using fine powders, for my shotgun loads and saved them for my pistols & revolvers.

Having small #9-8 size lead pellets falling all over the place, was enough clean up for me, to handle, let alone sweeping up powder.

Do we really enjoy doing this sort of thing ??

 

[youngolddude]

I've used PP for about 6 months, but going the other way. I use it for cowboy loads which don't require as much oomph. I use Remington hulls, Claybuster gray wads, Cheddite primers, 7/8 oz. shot and 12.8 gr. PP. I don't recall the number, but I've weighed the charge. Great powder and cheaper than the rest.

 

[H Richard]

I loaded Bullseye on my old Mec for 12 Ga. trap loads but with all the "Extra's" the fine powder still leaked, onto the slide.
I stopped using fine powders, for my shotgun loads and saved them for my pistols & revolvers.

Having small #9-8 size lead pellets falling all over the place, was enough clean up for me, to handle, let alone sweeping up powder.

Do we really enjoy doing this sort of thing ??

Ed, If you have shot leaking on a MEC, your felt and brass washers between bottle and charge bar might be missing. I load #8 all the time with no shot leaking.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Ed, If you have shot leaking on a MEC, your felt and brass washers between bottle and charge bar might be missing. I load #8 all the time with no shot leaking.

No shot/pellet "Fall" with the Mec unit,

I saved that "Fun" for when I got my new 366 , 8 position loader,
and forgot to open or close a gate, during the loading process.

Oh No, not #9's !!

Are we having fun, yet ??

 

[H Richard]

My local range was shut down and I haven't been able to chronograph that load of 16.2, but did shoot a round and the bird's break with authority. Recoil seems slightly softer. I'll have to make a 60 mile (round trip) to my other outdoor range to do any chrono work soon.