Herco - slightly slower than Unique - make sure you've got some compression with it.

I've been wanting to try some of Hodgdon's Longshot. It might be an ADI powder with another name, I don't know. Very slow burning for a shotgun powder and shows highest speeds with shot.

I've always started a bit lower than the top load, showing low pressure smokeless mannual load for a shot charge, with a like weight or lighter solid projectile and gone from there. It has worked for me.

With this approach, Longshot could give the highest speeds of true shotgun propellents.

Other people, like Ed Huble, have gone a different route, using even slower powders, ie: H4227, SR4759 and Re#17. I have not gone this route yet.

So much to do, so little time.

A good shotshell loading manual like Lyman Shotgun Manual can help. The slug and round ball loads are usually in the back section. Mine, a #3 manual has this data and so should the modern ones - check first, before buying. The one I have gives data for Brenneke's, Lyman slugs, and .690" round balls of almost 500gr. weight.

This is usually the relm of accomplished handloaders - beginners might be best to use factory ammo - or black powder & 2 3/4" hulls. With BP, about the only thing you'll hurt is your shoudler - normally.

A 2 3/4" hull will hold 190gr. along with 2 gascheck wads, card and one plastic under the ball- that's the 7 dram African load listed in Brener's book - it kicks a bit. The gun must be in good shape with good metal to wood fit.

With black powder, the light African load was 115gr. with an intermediate load of around 150gr.

The 3" load of 9 drams was for specially made doubles. Not for recoil shy people.