20 gauge 1 ounce loads

I’m wanting to load some hot dove loads. As I’m sure you all know loading supplies are hard to find. I don’t have any one ounce wads. I’ll be using blue dot or herco powder. I have some cb1078-20 wads and 7 1/2 shot. I’m thinking 22.0 or 22.5 grains of blue dot. I think it will crimp without any issue. What say you experts.

Stick to a Herco load. Better performance and a cleaner burn. But first what hull are you using? Tapered or straight walled?

Standard Winchester AA 20 gauge trap load 2-3/4" has a 1165 fps velocity. Max velocity is 1250 with any blue dot recipe from Alliant data. I suppose you could push past those limits but your gain/risk ratio should be considered for only 85 fps gain.

You can get to 1350 fps but you'll need to get a new wad and lighten the payload to 7/8 oz. Also powder is Pro Reach an wad is Orange Duster.

I have both types of hulls.

There are several different 20ga loads on ballistic products load of the week. Search the archives

Any field situation the reason for wanting to up the velocity? Don't get me wrong, I've up'd the velocity in the past too. 12 gauge blue magics. Primers backed halfway or more upon firing. My early days. Loaded them with Winchester 12 AA data. They sure we're quick. Only downside to 20 gauge for dove is shotstring length. Fine for over water hole but wing shooting not so much. Better a 1 ounce 12 gauge that easier to increase velocity on safely. Shotstring length is often not considered. It's a important factor in wing shooting.

I really shouldn’t have said hot. I’m really just wanting to load one ounce dove loads.

Just go to the Alliant website's load data for 20 gauge and start loading. I don't think CBE has a wad for 1 ounce 20 gauge loads. Claybuster only show 3/4 & 7/8 wad loads. Or load with traditional cardboard and felt wad column materials if no wads specifically can be had for the loads you want.

Now, on the flip side of web info. It's said that the 1078 was is generally for 1 oz to 1-1/4. So if you play around with the wad I think your powder will be key to your success. Likely blue dot will be too slow. Might be easier to find 3 inch 20 gauge data for one ounce if your using 2-1/2" currently.