Shotguns and chronographs?

[Charlie Harley, #14153]

I am becoming more recoil sensitive and would like to know for sure the velocity of various shotgun ammo out of my SxS.  Buuuut, I don’t want to destroy the chronograph along the way, either by impact or having the muzzle blast knock it over.  (I already wiped out one with an errant 223 round.)

 

Has anyone ever chronied a shotgun before?  All suggestions are much appreciated.

[Texas Joker]

Recoil is a function of thrust vs weight.

 

Instead of reducing thrust increase the weight of your shotgun. Add lead.

[Eyesa Horg]

I have with no issues, honestly forget how far away. The manual has a suggestion. I'll see if I can find it later and get back! I'm guessing it was about 10-15 feet. You could also consider going to BP for shot, much less felt recoil. More of a push than a punch.

[The Original Lumpy Gritz]

Powder burn rate plays in here.

Slower the burn, less 'snap' in recoil.

I load my SASS 12ga with 17.0gn of Unique and 3/4 oz of shot.

Less felt recoil than Featherlite.

[Leroy Luck]

I’ve chrono’d some across my Garmin. Since it’s a radar setup you don’t have to worry about shooting through “hoops”. 
 

I’ve only chrono’d my reloads and can’t remember what the velocity was. 

[Still hand Bill]

Since you should be following a published load, just look up ones with lower speed and/or less shot.  Lead shotgun loads don’t vary much in speed only 100-200 fps.  1/8 oz is roughly the same as 100fps as far as recoil.  Thus a 7/8 oz load at 1200 is roughly equal to a 1 1/8 at 1000 fps.  While not a big deal in sass, slowing down the shot can throw off timing for moving birds.  
 

there are plenty of 7/8 oz or 3/4 oz 12 ga loads if you want less recoil.  

[Rye Miles #13621]

I just fired off a few rounds of Double 00 buck yesterday and it's been awhile. Al my shotgun has been with cowboy shooting light bird shot loads. Man those double 00's nearly took my shoulder off! 

[Cold Lake Kid, SASS # 51474]

Look into a mercury recoil reducer and install it in the butt stock. I added on to a shoulder killer dangerous game rifle and it tamed it enough that I wasn't scared to fire it anymore and it made follow-up shots a lot quicker.

They also make them for the fore stock, which might help tame muzzle rise.

[bgavin]

Lead shot inside a bag in the butt stock is an easy and reversible method.

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

Hey Charley,

 

As alluded to by Texas Joker, recoil is a product of Velocity and Pay Load Weight.  The more important being Pay Load Weight.  Reducing the respective powder charge and velocity won't have the desired effect unless you also reduce the weight of Pay Load.  A three quarter ounce Pay Load running at or below 900 FPS will be a pussy cat.  Another part (important) of the physics is the weight of the gun.  It really helps to have a somewhat heavier shotgun.

 

As far as running shotgun across/thru a chronograph, I'm no help at all.  With the exception of seeing a friend blow one to smithereens. 🤪

Edited March 4 by Colorado Coffinmaker
I HATE Otto

[Pat Riot]

Charlie,

If you can find some Winchester AA Low Recoil Target 12 Gauge Ammo give it a try. It really is a reduced recoil load but still has enough punch for CAS shotgun targets.

 

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/2900197404/

 

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/winchester-aa-low-recoil-low-noise-target-loads-shotshells
 

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-gear-gun-supplies/ammunition-ammo-for-hunting-shooting-sports/shotgun-ammo-hunting-shooting-sports/winchester-aa-12-gauge-2-34in-8-1oz-target-shotshells-25-rounds/p/307986
 

If we lived closer I’d give you a box or 3 to try out. 

Also, try AmmoSeek - check shipping thermometers on right side of page. 

https://ammoseek.com/ammo/12-gauge/Winchester-shotgun?ikw=Low recoil

Edited March 4 by Pat Riot

[Eyesa Horg]

4 hours ago, Eyesa Horg said:

I have with no issues, honestly forget how far away. The manual has a suggestion. I'll see if I can find it later and get back! I'm guessing it was about 10-15 feet. You could also consider going to BP for shot, much less felt recoil. More of a push than a punch.

Here's a snapshot from the book for my ProChrono. I didn't use the screens, but left the rods for aiming purposes.

 

[Charlie Harley, #14153]

18 hours ago, Pat Riot said:

 

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/winchester-aa-low-recoil-low-noise-target-loads-shotshells

My son and I tried a box of these during a round of clays.  He described the sound as being more like a potato gun than a shotgun.  The recoil was comparable to my 20 gauge semi- auto.

 

I appreciate everyone’s thoughts and ideas. I’ll let you know how the exercise turns out. 

[Colorado Coffinmaker]

 

Nah.  None of the Above.  35Gr 3F APP and three quarter ounce of shot.  Two and Half inch hulls, roll crimped.

[J-BAR #18287]

Velocity is good for hunting; pellets traveling around 1200 fps penetrate better and bring game down more reliably.  If you are just looking for low recoil loads to hit SASS knockdowns, any of the suggestions above work well.   Smaller shot weights over blackpowder charges in the 35 to 45 grains range are essentially recoilless and still reliable, and were my favorite.

[Eyesa Horg]

I've been loading below 800 for Ellie now with 3/4 oz of #8 shot. She injured her shoulder and these light loads are working great for her.

11.5gr. Red Dot

Pink Claybuster CB 0075-12 wad

3/4+ or- #8 shot. Adjust for a good crimp.

12gr. of Clays or Clay Dot worked  well too.

We've been using Cheddite primers for years.

[Charlie Harley, #14153]

20 hours ago, Colorado Coffinmaker said:

 

Nah.  None of the Above.  35Gr 3F APP and three quarter ounce of shot.  Two and Half inch hulls, roll crimped.

The good ol’ days of being a Soot Lord.  
 

I am still convinced that the Sacred Incense is one of the most versatile, best performing, and all around funnest powders to work with.  All others since then have been crude attempts at replication designed to placate those disinclined to faithfully clean their irons after every match.