12 Gauge Shotgun: Weatherby SA-459 TR, 18.5" chrome lined barrel

[TXCOONDOG]

Loving my new Weartherby semi-auto 12 gauge calling shotgun (200 rounds and no issues). Best part, it doesn't rattle like a pump shotgun. I plan on mounting an IR laser on the rail to use in conjuction my with PVS 14 setup.




Load Data Source: RSI, Heavyweight Shot, Reloader's Guide Volume 3
Page 7 , Load # 15 (altered)- Once Fired Federal 3" Premium Hull, Win 209 Primer, Steel Powder, SAM1  Wad, 647 grains (70 pellets) of HW13 (tungsten) in BB .180".and 14grains of 3mm Plastic Pellets (bean bag fill) over shot.

Note: The load calls for two 1/8" felts which weigh a total of 4 grains (2gr each). I used an additional 4 grains of plastic pellets in lieu of the felts which I calculated into my payload weight equation.


Pattern Distance: 40yards. My focus is on the overall pattern and not how many are in an 8.5" circle.


Primos Dead Dog choke .675"- Actual average velocity: 1375 FPS with  20 hits within  8.5" circle,  35 hits outside of 8.5"  circle on W30" X L36"pattern board= 55 total hits.

Note: The patterns were so consistent that the POA and POI were virtually  the same from 20-40yds! 

[The_Shadow]

Are you using the plastic stuff as a filler?  They look like they are hollow plastic balls cut in half?
The 1/8" felts would be spacers and cushioning.  I understand that the BB's are tungsten and under the plastic stuff.
The SAM1  Wads are suited for steel shot so they must be a little thicker.

[TXCOONDOG]

Yes, I'm using the 3mm plastic pellets as a filler so let me explain for those that might not know the advantages of HW13, ITX and Hevi-Shot.

Hevi-shot , Heavy Weight and ITX are tungsten based which are non toxic and very dense. Which are (depending on g/cc) 20-23% denser than steel and 16-18% denser than lead thus carrying more down range energy and penetration (bone breaking stuff).

Best way (not exact) to compare them is to imagine steel being a tennis ball, lead being a base ball and tungsten shot being a cue ball....which of these do you think would retain the most energy at 75 yards if thrown at the same speed? 

Tungsten stuff responds better to tighter chokes over lead (deforms) and you can reduce the size of the shot by two sizes smaller over lead because of the density.

Here is a comparison of lead, Hevi-shot (11-12g/cc) and HW13 (13g/cc):

At 1300 fps lead BB shot got 3.50" of gel penetration at 53.9 yards, 63 pellets in 1-1/4 oz.

At 1300 fps Hevi-Shot B shot got 3.50" of gel penetration at 59.4 yards, 69 pellets in 1-1/4 oz.

At 1300 fps HW13 BB shot got 3.50" of gel penetration at 88.9 yards, 54 pellets in 1-1/4 oz.

At 1300 fps HW13 T shot got 3.50" of gel penetration at 116.4 yards, 39 pellets in 1-1/4 oz.

The HW13 T shot will give you about 18 less pellets in a 1-1/2 oz load than the HW13 BB shot will thus why I use BB (more pellets).


Hevi-shot (dead coyote loads) uses flax seed over their shot and the old Remington Wingmaster HD loads (no longer made) used the clear 3mm plastic pellets (bean bag filler) over their shot. I get more consistent denser patterns using rice, flax seed, & plastic pellets over felts, cork or cardboard.

With the Sam1, TPS, etc (designed for steel and non toxic shot) type wads, you don't need to use felts under steel or tungsten.  Being that tungsten and lead are denser (weighs more) than steel it takes up less volume by size in a wad so felts, flax seed/rice and 3mm plastic pellets need to be used (filler) over shot in order to get a proper crimp. Besides, tungsten is as tough as steel and can damage a barrel so I prefer to have the shot sit below the top of the wad to prevent barrel contact.

I'm not good at explaining in writing so I hope this makes sense.

PS: Tungsten shot is expensive. HW13 (depending on size) is $213-$235 per 10lbs. However, I can reload my own for $2.00-$2.50 per round (tailored to my shotgun and need) vs Hevi-Shot Dead Coyote for $5.00-$5.40 per round.

[The_Shadow]

Thanks for your explanation...I knew about some of the stuff, but you added to my education here.