12 Gauge Reloading
- Thread starter BigBobC
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243winxb
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Have a look here. http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp Any where from 20gr to maybe 40gr., depending on the recipe use.
Depends upon the powder used, the amount of shot and the case length.
Go to the Hodgdon Load Data or the Alliant Load Data website and look up the particulars.
There's no "working up" when loading shotgun shells, data must be used exactly as published, down to the components and exact brand or type of case, primer, powder, wad and type of shot. The only thing that one can change in a load is size of shot within the category of bird shot. Slugs and buckshot use data specific to that type of load.
Go to the Hodgdon Load Data or the Alliant Load Data website and look up the particulars.
There's no "working up" when loading shotgun shells, data must be used exactly as published, down to the components and exact brand or type of case, primer, powder, wad and type of shot. The only thing that one can change in a load is size of shot within the category of bird shot. Slugs and buckshot use data specific to that type of load.
oneounceload
member
Incorrect - there are clones of OEM wads that are perfectly acceptable to use. A load for any of the Remington hulls can be used in ANY Remington hull. There are primers that are equal (or so close as to be equal) that are also acceptable to swap. Shot (talking about lead up to size 6) can be anything. For target loads, I use reclaimed which is a mixture of 7.5, 8, 8.5, and 9s. You are correct about not working loads up and slugs and buck using different data.
besides the two websites from the powder makers, the ABCs and Lyman have good info regarding duck/turkey/HD loadings
OP, you will also need different equipment since shotgun shell reloading is not done on metallic presses with any degree of success. Since you mention both 2-3/4 and 3, you will want to look at a MEC at the very least as it can be adjusted for different hull length.
The best 12 gauge hulls for reloading are Remington, Winchester AA followed by Federal Gold Medal in 2-3/4. The other Winchester and Federal hulls, especially the cheap wally world promos are NOT worth the trouble.
Generally, Remington and Winchester AA hulls share the same wad design, whereas the Federal does NOT.
witchhunter
Member
When figuring a load, there are about 7000 grains per pound. (If that is what you were trying to calculate) a 20 grain recipe will get you 350 loads out of a pound. If you load .410 or 28 gauge, as you will see serious savings vs. factory load pricing per box. 12 gauge, not as much......but you will have premium loads for the same price as you pay now for promo ammo.
You can always load under the max listed for shotguns. That part is just like rifle and pistol reloading. If you want to spend time on the patterning board you can. Different wads work in patterning just like different bullets shoot different. In loading Turkey shells you can do so just loading with the bushings, but with Steel shot the weights need to be very close since the pressures are so high. It also takes a different machine and bars than lead reloading. MEC has a specific one and Ponsness Warren has steel shot bushings. Most of the guys that I know who reload for duck weigh both the amount of shot and powder by hand. I did it once and found that it was easier to buy by the case than mess with that. Non Toxic (I.e. Bismuth, Hevi-shot, and others) are way over priced and cannot get the cost savings where I need it to make a difference. I have looked up some recipes for both Longshot and Alliant Steel that really look interesting, but not just yet.
gamestalker
member
I started using generic wads years ago and haven't looked back since.
As for powder and shot yields, it's all simple math. 2-3/4" or 3" shells doesn't mean much, how much weight of powder and shot per shell is being used is what needs to be calculated.
7,000 grains to a pound of powder, 16 ounces to a pound of shot, or take a look at one of the yield charts.
GS
As for powder and shot yields, it's all simple math. 2-3/4" or 3" shells doesn't mean much, how much weight of powder and shot per shell is being used is what needs to be calculated.
7,000 grains to a pound of powder, 16 ounces to a pound of shot, or take a look at one of the yield charts.
GS
oneounceload
member
HUH? Can you clarify that statement? Are you saying you would use the same data for either hull length and use either hull length regardless of chamber dimensions?
If yes, stop saying that, because it isn't true or safe. If not, then please explain
I don't want to speak for Gamestalker, but I will. More information is needed. 2 3/4" 1 1/2 oz Lead for Turkey or 3" 1 1/4 oz Steel for Duck. Can you get one powder to load both. Yes, but the difference between the two loads can be +- 10. I don't have my Lymans in front of me now, but Longshot is a powder that can do it, but there are also special powders just for Steel, as in Alliant Steel.
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