Buckshot loads

[deafsg1]

I'm copying this post from another thread, and hopefully, someone will read this and be able to help me out.

I'm not sure it's going to happen at all... AT ALL! I just discovered tonight that the load data at Hodgdon's web site appears to be wrong regarding wad usage. You cannot use this load data to get the buckshot to fit without serious pimpling of the shells:

Win AA hulls
W209 primers
Hodgon Universal ~ 24.6 grains
WAA12F114 wads
Hornady #00 buckshot - 9 each
with or without an overshot card.

What the...? What went wrong here? The best I could do was 6 pellets or 6/8 oz in three layers of two pellets each, and there is no load data for that. It looks like I have to start ALL OVER.

I have a reloader, and I have Win AA hulls. What do I do? Contact Hodgdon to tell them their data is wrong?

Thanks... Going to be an interesting morning when I call them.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

You can fit nine 00 pellets in a 2 3/4" 12ga shell, 3,3 and 3. The second layer will sit in the low parts of the one below it and the same with the third layer.

 

[deafsg1]

Here's what happened, Archie... I was reading everywhere that you could fit 9 #00 in that load data. !@#$%^&* How!?

Turns out that the vendor sent me the WRONG size buckshot. Two out of three boxes were #000! After I realized that, I cut open the #00 box and tried again. It works, with just a slight pimpling of the hull! I recall how I was able to get only six in there with a wad, and that was because the #000, six of them, was being used! I weighed out the #000 Hornady, and they only weigh about 62.1 grains for a total of 372.6 grains! 7/8 oz is 382.8 grains. I'm not able to find data for #000 buckshot. I'm finding that the #000 fits inside the wad even better, especially with an overshot card. I can't seem to figure out how to adjust the powder weight given a 7/8 oz load. For instance, on a hunch, I compared 7/8 and 1-1/8 oz lead shot loads for a remington STS hull using W209 primers and Clays powder (wads are going to be different). It turns out you have to use MORE powder for the lighter load than for the heavier load!

I'm not sure what to do, contact the vendor to have the correct buckshot shipped or try to contact Hodgdon to see if they can give me #000 load data. I'm going to bed. Been a long day...

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Well that will make you pull your hair out thinking you are loading 00 buck but they send you 000 buck pellets!! I can totally understand your frustration on that one for sure!!

I would do both, contact Hodgdon and the vendor. Usually when the vendor make a mistake like that they will send you the correct product and let you keep the mistake too. Hodgdon is very good about helping out when you need data that's not published on their data site. I'm sure they will help you with that but make sure you tell then what components you are intending upon using. This way that can give you the correct data or suggest different components if they feel the ones you have won't work well.

 

[WNTFW]

You've been having some trials & trivialations on your reloading lately. I hope you start catching some breaks.

You did inspire me to get my shotshell reloader out of storage.

Later,
WNTFW

 

[deafsg1]

I contacted Hodgdon, and they said to use the same loading data, simply change out 9 #00 for 6 #000. They said the only thing it would do is decrease the pressure slightly, as there's not as much weight to push behind. It would prolong the reloading cycle by one or two more reloads. They also said that this is one of the rare instances where you can do this and not change the load data, safely.

I'm going with this and making up a few rounds to test out. This will include 4 sets of shells:
1) #00 with no overshot card
2) #00 with overshot card
3) #000 with no overshot
4) #000 with overshot card

I'll be back with photos and comparisons.

Since this is the first time I have reloaded with a Lee Load-All II, I have learned a few things. There IS a reason they put the buckshot bag IN a box - I found that out after hearing a clatter on the floor while I worked up a cost factor on #000 buckshot rounds in another room. I was transferring from the bag to the box, counting them at one layer, and then to another bag (unsupported). Took me less than 5 minutes to count 555 #000 in a 5 lb bag. After I did that and walked off, the weight of the buckshot rolled the bag enough to clatter onto the floor. "What was that?" I looked out the window and didn't see anything... I then walked in to the room. I was PO'ed!

Another thing I learned is seating the wad low enough so that I get good, clean crimps without buckling the side walls. It's amazing how well the crimps look with the loader! I checked the good crimps this morning, and they're still in place. The overshot card makes the crimp look really good, and I'm sure it will raise the pressures a bit and give the buckshot a little more speed.

 

[scout26]

the weight of the buckshot rolled the bag enough to clatter onto the floor.

Wait until you do it with a 25lb bag of #8 or #9 shot. You NEVER find it all.

Used Bleach Bottles are good place to store shot. Rinse 'em out real good, pull the label off and mark with a Sharpie Marker (e.g. 00 Buckshot or #8 Magnum Shot) Put bleach bottle in well sealed box, put large funnel in Bottle, pour shot from bag to bottle, any spills or errant shot end up in box. Pour those in the bottle.

You now have a easily totable and pourable container for your shot.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I've heard good things about the Lee Reloader. I'm glad to hear you are giving it a good report too.

Don't forget top post those pictures. I'm very interested to see the work...