Daryl, in working up loads, I believe you have mentioned in the past that you use the same powder charge as that listed in a book for a load using the same weight shot, correct?

Thus, the charge for a 1 oz. shot load would be used with a 1 oz. slug.

What wad materials do you use to adjust the wad column to provide proper crimp?

In summation, are you saying that switching from {proper shot wad column and shot} to {proper ball wad column and ball} is as easy as adjusting the ball and wad column to provide for a firm crimp, using the same charge weight-of-ball for weight-of-shot?

Reason I ask for the principles here is that in reading the various shotshell loading books they always state that the loads should be used exactly as published, and I do not believe I have ever seen a published load book that outlines a standard procedure for working up loads as is commonly done with rifle and pistol ammo.

Using normal "rifle principles", I would think that using a 1 oz ball with a POWDER CHARGE safe for 1 1/8 oz. of shot would add a safety margin to the load. Does this make sense?

I have an Ithaca M87 with supposed straight-bored barrel. Using the ID fingers on a dial caliper, the muzzle measures .712. What ball size would be used with this gun?