[PieFace]

I am a novice reloader. I have just purchased the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook 5th edition.

This might sound like a dumb thing to want to do but I want to load my shells using fibre wads only. All the shoots that I go on stipulate fibre wad only for environmental reasons.

Can I substitute fibre wads for the normal plastic ones such as Remington RP12, SP12, and Winchester WAA12R etc?

I’m looking to make some heavy loads to knock down steels with my unchoked Mossberg 590 such as 2¾” 1½ oz and 3” 2oz shells.

At the same time I don't want to blow up my gun or myself.

Thanks…

[rcmodel]

No!

Shotgun loads are very component specific.
You can't really substitute anything without running the risk of pressure problems.

The other thing is, compression formed plastic cases are tapered slightly on the inside, and fiber wads were designed when straight wall paper cases where all there was.

On the otherhand, a fiber wad column with the same length as a plastic shotcup base wad would likely run lower pressure because of a less efficient gas seal.

rcmodel

[BEARMAN]

GOTO www.ballisticproducts.com they have the fibre wads you are wanting to use. They also have small pamphlets with fibre wad loads.

[PieFace]

I'm not sure if it's coincidence but fiber wad loads don't seem to get over the 36g or 1 1/4 oz weight. The most powerful ones I have been able to find thus far have been Lyalvale Express Special Game Bio at 36g with #4 shot.

Maybe there is a limit one can go with fiber wad and 1 1/4 oz is that limit.

It would be interesting to see if anyone has seen a 12g shell with fibre wad throwing more lead.

[rcmodel]

As I recall, the progression to 1 1/2 oz mag loads happened at the same time as the plastic base wad came along.
At first they were loaded with a plastic base wad, fiber filler wads, and plastic shot protector wrap.

rcmodel