I like a pretty hot shell, I have been loading with herco but I only have one shot & powder bushing for my old pacific loader so I am using my dads old load recipe since I cant really change it. I am possibly fixin to get a MEC 600 JR. so since I will have the availability to do something a little "newer" I wanted get some opinions on what I should change to. Or should I?

I load on the lighter side most of the time and use Hodgdon clays. For my heavier loads Hodgdon Universal but looking at the data for it Longshot at 1530 fps for a 1 1/8 ounce load in a 2 3/4 inch AA hull is for sure a hot load

http://data.hodgdon.com/shotshell_load.asp

Man, that is smoking. My load I have been using is 1 1/4 oz. at approx. 1300 & it will smoke those early jumping Quail. 40yards out flying away it makes a puff of feathers.

I started out using Red Dot, but for economy purposes started using Promo about two years ago. Most of my loads are 7/8 oz. but can be used for heavier loads as well.

Red dot and WSF

Solo 1000, I buy it 25# kegs

If you like'em hot try Hodgdon Longshot. Thats what I use in my pheasant loads. Their pretty punchy.

I use Red dot for my 1 1/8 ounce clay/quail loads and Unique for my #4/5/6 loads for Pheasant/Chukar.

longshot 1 1/8 crow load

Red dot also with 1 1/8 oz loads.

Kevin,
Longshot will get the 1 1/8 - 1 3/8oz loads to 1300 FPS+ without any problem.

For 7/8oz or 1oz, I use either Clays or American Select.

I almost shoot 7/8oz exclusively and I use ClayDot to 1300+

Depending on the load, Red Dot, Green Dot, and WW-570.

red dot or longshot are my preferences.

+1 Clays

Light 12ga..Red Dot
Medium 12ga..Gren Dot
Heavy & Magnum 12ga and .44 Mag pistol.. Blue Dot

Solo 1000 for me.

Blue Dot for very hot 1 3/8 oz loads.

I've used 700X for 25 years. never had a problem.

#35 bushing
Unique Powder
1 1/8 oz load

OR
#39 bushing
PB Powder
1 1/4 oz load