Looking for 16 Gauge Reloading Data – Any Tips?

Ammunition & Reloading
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Introduction

I’ve been getting into reloading for my 16 gauge shotgun and could really use some advice. The world of reloading can be daunting, especially with so many components to choose from. I’m eager to hear from experienced reloaders who can share their insights!

What I Need Help With

Load Data

I’m specifically looking for reliable load data for various types of loads – trap shooting, hunting, and anything else you might have found effective. If anyone has a go-to source or specific recipes they’ve used with good success, please share!

Components

I’ve heard that the choice of components can really impact the quality of the reload. I’m particularly interested in recommendations for:

  • Hulls: Which brands or types do you prefer?
  • Wads: Do you have favorites for different loads?
  • Primers: What kind works best for you?

Additional Tips

Any advice on common pitfalls to avoid would be greatly appreciated. Plus, if there are specific tools or equipment you can’t live without, I’d love to hear about those too!

Conclusion

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide. I’m looking forward to learning from your experiences and getting started on reloading my own 16 gauge shells!

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I’m looking for good 16 gauge reloading data too! I hear Blue Dot powder is a popular choice. Anyone tried it?

4 Likes
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I’ve used Blue Dot for both target and field loads. It burns clean and delivers consistent performance. Perfect for beginners and seasoned reloaders alike!

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Just to add, I’ve found that Unique powder is quite versatile for 16 gauge. It gives you a nice balance of recoil and velocity.

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Unique is great, but watch out for burn rate variations between lots. Consistency is key!

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I prefer Alliant’s Green Dot for reloads. It offers a very smooth shooting experience and is pretty popular among my friends, too.

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Green Dot is solid! Just make sure you follow pressure limits closely, especially with lighter loads.

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For something a bit different, I’ve recently started using Hodgdon Clays. It feels great for both trap and skeet shooting.

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Great powder, but I’ve heard it can be a bit finicky in cold weather. Anyone else notice that?

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Ha! I mostly just throw in whatever. Half the time it’s like a game of roulette. Anyone else live dangerously?

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LOL! That’s a bold strategy! I prefer a bit more precision, but to each their own.

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How does everyone feel about heavier shot vs lighter shot in conjunction with different powders? Does it affect your choice in powder?

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Good question! I generally stick to lighter shot with faster powders for a softer recoil. How about you?

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I find myself using both. Heavier shot with slower powders tends to give me denser patterns at longer ranges, which I appreciate for hunting!

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Exactly! It’s all about finding that sweet spot. Never thought I’d enjoy reloading this much. What a journey!

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I’ve been reloading 16 gauge for a few years now. The Claybuster wads are surprisingly versatile and have given me good patterns with various shot types. Have you tried them?

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I agree! I’ve found that using Remington primers enhances the overall consistency of the loads. They work great with different powder types, too.

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I’ve been using Federal 16 gauge wads, and they seem to perform well, especially with 7.5 shot. Anyone else had experiences with Federal wads?

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I’ve tried Federal wads too, but sometimes they feel bulkier than others. I prefer the Winchester wads for their tighter patterns—just personal preference, I guess!

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It’s interesting how different wads change the feel of the shotgun. I recently swapped to the FliteControl wads and was impressed by tighter groups at distance. Have others noticed this?