shotgun shell reloading question

[ivyj]

My dad recently gave me all of his reloading equipment and supplies, I reloaded with this before i got my drivers license and im 45 yrs old now. The reloader is a 12 ga versa-mec 700 with a powder bushing # 38. I also received two large bags of alcan flight max wads, about 1000 alcan primers over 50# of lead shot,a bunch of hulls and an empty 4# can of dupont pb smokeless powder. At first I couldn't find anybody to tell me what powder to use, only we can sell what you need based on your recipe. Since then I have researched this subject alot. Is there a recipe that i could use now with these outdated and discontinued supplies or should i disregard them and start over with new supplies. Thanks for any advise yall could give. This equipment is very sentimental to me and I would love to put it to good use. ps we just shoot clay pigeons at home.

 

[rcmodel]

I would go to hodgdons website and pick a load based on the brand of hull you want to use.
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

You will also very likely need a different powder bushing if you change to a different powder.
The MEC #38 throws 25.8 grains PB, a very fluffy powder, which would be way too much powder for any of the types used for trap loads today in compression formed hulls.

It does look like it would work with low base wad old style hulls.

Here is a MEC bushing chart:
http://www.mecreloaders.com/documents/Miscellaneous/PowderBushingChart.pdf

The primers should be fine.

The wads too, if you can figure out what hulls they are the right size for.

BTW: Here is a link to an owners manual:
http://www.mecreloaders.com/documents/ownermanuals/700versamec.pdf

rc

 

[snuffy]

I also received two large bags of alcan flight max wads, about 1000 alcan primers

I've used both to build loads for 12 gauge, mostly heavy field loads. The wads will work well for straight sided hulls, but may jam up short if used in modern tapered wall shells like AA and the remington target hulls. The primers are probably the max-fire primers. They were/are the most powerful primers ever made. The reason they were so hot, is the Alcan powders were a heavy cut flake, slow burning powder. Very difficult to get burning.

If you're going to use either the wads, or the primers, you should be using data from the 60's and 70's when these were in common use. I may have some data you could use with modern powders we have today. Let me know if you want some data.

 

[PapaG]

I used to shoot a lot of reloads using PB powder and the Alcan 220 Maxfire primers, mostly with AA or Power Piston wads. Using the 220 Maxfires with Red Dot, or Clays or any of the normal "trap" powders will result in really high pressures unless you reduce your powder charge. I doubt that there is anything modern printed with those primers mentioned in the loads. I did most of my shooting with them in the late sixties and early seventies (when S&W was part of a conglomerate which had purchased Alcan) when I could get them for $5.60/1000 and when I was teaching a lot of youngsters and ladies to shoot. The PB load produced around 6500 psi and was a powderpuff load (1 oz of shot).
I think, but don't hold me to it, that the PB load was around 21 grains. I assume no responsibility for that number.

 

[ivyj]

Thanks for all of the input and links. It always helps to to hear good advice when your trying to learn. Your responses are greatly appreciated.