Gentlemen,

In a previous thread we discussed using RBs in a Mossberg 835 with a backbored barrel. I finally got a chance to load some and try them, here are the results.

Since a .690" RB weighs just about 1 1/8oz I decided I'd be safe to start with starting loads for this weight of lead shot. I used a Federal Hi-Power plastic hull with a fiber (paper?) basewad, a W209 primer, 25.0grs of Universal Clays, A WAA12 (blueduster clone) wad and the RB.

My first effort had a severely dished in crimp, no good.

I reffered to my BPI shotshell loading manual and it states that adding an overshot card wad will not materially effect the pressure in a load. So, I added a .100" card wad over the RB. BINGO! Perfect crimp.

I loaded and fired 5 rounds, using a modified choke tube. All 5 rounds went into a single hole about 1.5" wide, shooting was offhand at about 45ft.

I think this is completely acceptable considering the smooth bore, bead sight, and first attempt at loading. I plan to load some more tonight and chronograph them tomorrow. I'll post those results. I also plan to shoot for groups at 40-50yds.

I think with a bit of development work, this can be a useful woods foraging load to keep in your pocket while hunting with shot loads.

Input??

SSB

Roundball loads are fun. :p You can get that .690" ball up above 1550 FPS (Hodgdon Data). I've chronographed some at over 1575 and they were adequately accurate for hunting. The ball will definitely take deer or bear - it was used for a long time before anybody came out with a Foster slug for smoothbores.

I enjoy just playing with RB loads - singles, multiples, with buckshot - all kinds of variations. :)

DC

DMC,

I chronographed my loads using 26.0grs Universal and the components above. I was disappointed as it only averaged about 1100 f.p.s. out of my gun. What data/components are you using to reach 1500 f.p.s.?? I'd like to get at least 1400 out of mine, even though I think I may lose some velocity in my overbore barrel.

SSB

I'm loading AA hulls, Remington R12L wad, Winchester 209 primer and 37.1 grains of Hodgdon's Longshot (11,100 PSI). Listed to hit 1585 FPS, seems quite consistant (velocity-wise) fired from several different guns.

One I want to try is a Federal Hull, WAA12 wad, 209 primer and 37.8 grains of Longshot. It's listed as quite a bit lower pressure (10,400 PSI).

DC

Singleshotbuff:

Remember with a vent rib/ bead combination you are sighting in with the load. The sights, such as they are on your Mossberg 835 are fixed. Slower loads shoot higher, faster loads shoot lower (same weight round ball). With a 1 1/8 ounce ball anything from 1050FPS is fast enough to do the job at any range a bead sight is usable.

So find a load that shoots to the "sights" and don't sweat the velocity. No deer or hog you hit will know the difference.

Ralph