12 Gauge 2½” Shotshell Reloading

[Mainsail]

So I’ve got this old shotgun and it appears to be chambered for 2½” shells. The gun is sound as far as I can tell; not Damascus or twist, and I think the PO was using it right up until he sold it off. I wouldn’t mind learning to reload shotshells and it doesn’t appear to be much different than reloading brass.

I like the price of the Lee LoadAll for 12 gauge but they say it doesn’t load for 2½”, only 2¾” shells. Can this machine be made to load shorter shells? If so, how?

If you have knowledge of 12 gauge reloading, especially 12 Gauge 2½” shotshell reloading, please dump your brain and website links here!

EDIT to add: I'm not looking for mass production either, just some slow relaxed reloading.

 

[splattergun]

sorry, the LoadAll won't adjust.

 

[james layman]

I have seen the same situation in 16 Ga. My friend loaded brass shells. The shot column length does not matter. The over the shot wad was sealed with a good bit of wax. It left lots of empty space to the mouth. The shells may not need to be resized. Draw back, must be done by hand. Just an idea. Jim

 

[Mainsail]

So what exactly is involved in shotshell reloading? Do I necessarily need a press or can I just load them one component at a time at the kitchen table? Do the shells need resizing? I'm not looking to pump out hundreds in an afternoon.

 

[243winxb]

Shotgun loading

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv9bWmShsPk I used a Mec like in the video. I made a spacer that i moved from station to station. Long time since i did it. The case length needs trimmer before loading. A lee classic loader 12 ga may work, not sure if new is available or can make 2.5" shell? http://www.shotgunworld.com/bbs/viewforum.php?f=13 Data is on the Hodgdon website. http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/ http://www.ballisticproducts.com/

 

[John3921]

One thing to keep in mind shotshell loading is there is no 'load work up' or watching pressure signs. There really aren't any. You load by cookbook, use a published recipe with the same components in the recipe. Don't substitute anything. There are some exceptions - there are clone wads that direct substitutes for OEM wads, but by and large no substitutions. So you need to kind of iterate a bit - what components can you get locally? and then: Is there a recipe using those components? It gets expensive if you have to mail order components for small batch runs.

Many people that load on a MEC Jr or other single stage loaders will run all the shells through each station. I always ran one shell all the way through from start to finish.

The bases do get resized, the MEC jr uses a sizing ring, the sizemaster and their progressive presses use a collet style sizer.

The lyman shotshell manual is a very good manual to learn the basics.

Personally I'd avoid anything marked LEE for shotshell loading. A Mec jr. would be my bottom line, a Mec sizemaster is better - not sure of their ability to load 2-1/2"

ETA: Ballistic Products sells a 'short' kit for the mec single stage loaders.

 

[Curator]

Mainsail,

Loading for a SXS made before 1900, you might consider using "all brass" shot shells. CBC makes then and though they are about $25 for 25 cases, they last pretty much forever. Also, many if not most pre-1900 shotguns are actually chambered for all brass shells and modern plastic shells have problems chambering and the rims don't fit the rim recesses in the shotgun chambers. 2 1/2 inch shells will fit your gun perfectly. You can relaod them with minimal tools--you don't need a press. Here is a link to one vendor who sells them: http://www.buffaloarms.com/Shotgun_Reloading_Brass_it-161406.aspx?CAT=3832
To use these you will also need "11 gauge (not 12) over powder and cushion wads and 10 gauge over shot wads. I'm pretty sure Buffalo arms sells these too. Using all brass shells and the slightly oversize wads they need, you can "work up a load" starting on the mild side and gradually increasing powder and shot. Since you won't be crimping you don't need to worry about using ALL the space inside the shell. I use white glue to finish the over shot wad and once dry I can carry the shells in my shooting jacket pocket for months

 

[Mainsail]

Thanks for all the great tips!

I did pick up one of these. I'll be loading up some wiff loads though, nothing too stout.

 

[RecoilRob]

I load short shells for a Mag7 on the Lee LoadAll...but don't crimp on it. For that a roll crimper in the drill press does the deed.