Removing pwdr. fm factory buckshot loads

[dartswinger]

Most of you would probably say don't but I'm gonna try, so maybe someone could give me decent advice how or how much. I have an old Geha(?) 12ga bolt shotgun (Mauser conv.) well worn and beat up but sound mech. cond. that I shoot in a large country junk yard (targets galore). Recently bought some Estate #4 buckshot ammo (quite cheap on clearance). This stuff is wicked with pounding recoil! (says 1325 fps, is that hot?). Is it feasible to de-load these shells and remove say 20% of powder, is this safe (not the removal but resultant load) and will it give a milder recreational shooting round? Pellet count is 27 #4 weighing just about 1 1/4oz. Powder charge is 29gr. large flake (looks somewhat like Herco but bigger). The gun shows no signs of problems, but my shoulder is unhappy!

[ofitg]

Sounds like a dangerous idea...... reloading manuals for rifle and handgun ammo suggest that powder charges may be increased/decreased within the limits defined by "starting loads" and "maximum loads".....
HOWEVER, shotshell reloading manuals that I have seen don't allow any adjustments in the powder charges; you have do it exactly as published in the manual. Same type of hull, same wad, specified powder charge, etc.
As I understand it, a large part of the problem is maintaining the exact overall length of the powder/wad/shot inside the hull. If you deviate from the published data, the results are unpredictable.....

Instead of tinkering with the factory shells, it would seem a lot easier AND SAFER to put a slip-on recoil pad on your shotgun.

[BobMcG]

Why mess with powder when removing some of the lead alone will reduce the recoil?

[howlnmad]

I wouldn't do it personally but what could happen... the shot rolls out the end of the barrel. Just kidding. Buy a recoil pad.