High brass vs. low brass shotgun shells

[Knifemaker3]

Hello all,

This is my first time posting on this forum so if I'm in the wrong place for this post please let me know.

My question is this. I was given a Mec 600 JR shotshell reloader several years ago from my uncle. It was set up to shoot Fed. League shells in 12 gauge 2 /34 inch. Shooting #7 1/2 chilled lead shot at 1 1/8 oz with I believe 3 drams of Red Dot powder.

I have recently been given several boxes of Winchester AA low brass hulls and some Fiochi high brass hulls.

I have seen recipes for Win. AA's on Alliant's website for the same load.

Can I reload the AA's or does the high brass/low brass shells make a difference?

What is the difference between the high/low brass shells?

Thanks in advance for any help. I have emailed Mec with these questions with no answers and am hoping someone here can help.

 

[Kelly J]

Knifemaker3

Basicly the only difference I know of in relation to the brass on shotshells it the low brass shells are commonally called field loads or target loads, and usually have less Shot charge in them, the High brass are the heavy loads that carry more shot and therefore are considered more powerfull, then you will run into the Mini Mag High brass loads which agian are the heavier loads for a special purpose.

If you want to load low brass target loads with #9, #8, #71/2 shot go right ahead, and if you want to load the exact load in a high brass load it will make no difference assuming that both are 2 3/4" shells. the only difference in shot shells is the amount of lead used and the powder you propell it with, My personal pet shotshell load is using STS Remington hulls Windjammer Wads, 17gr. of AA Nitro 100 powder under 1 1/8 oz. of #8 shot, at 1200 FPS, this is an exelent load for Skeet, Trap, Sporting Clays, Dove, and Quail. To sumorize if the hull is 2 3/4" load away.

 

[HSMITH]

The 600 doesn't have a base sizer, so you might have trouble with ANY hulls that weren't fired in your gun. Keep your old hulls seperate.

There is NO difference in strength between low and high brass hulls, it is strictly a marketing ploy these days. The high brass hulls will be more likely to cause feeding problems if they weren't fired in your gun.

Get a couple loading manuals, shotshell recipes are VERY specific and substitution is not a good idea. Use EXACTLY the components and quantities listed in the loading data only.

 

[Knifemaker3]

Thanks for the info guys. I knew I'd get the help I needed on this forum. I've lurked on here for a couple of months. Just hadn't posted yet. Looking forward to being a part of this forum.

 

[Borg]

HSITH;
I haven't looked at a new Mec 600 in a long time,,, did they take off the base ring sizer? They used to size with the ring at the base of the first stage.
Borg

 

[sm]

http://www.mecreloaders.com/ProductLine/600JrMark5.asp

Get a users/owners manuel from MEC, also great folks to deal with in the event you need to order shot bottles etc.

Brass makes no nevermind, Activ shotshells were all plastic, and reloaded fine on various MECs. Reloaded target to Waterfowl - Marketing and Myths this brass height bit.

Reloading manueas - find a more current one with pictures of hull and descriptions - meaning what that hull "is" and whom all / what all it use it.

Re: AA hulls.
Old ones are great! These are the Compression formed Hull that changed the scene. Machine broke, and now these HS hulls are no way near the quality of the old ones.

Hoard the old AA ones.

Rem STS or Peters Blue Magic are great hulls. I also liked Fiocchi and get about 8- 10 reloads with the hulls.

Basically - stay away from new Win hulls and NEVER buy Win Value packs - these cause more problems on the range.

Do not get me wrong - I reloaded with pretty much nothing but Win components, bought shotshells by the pallet, have fire hundreds of thousands of Win shotshells...

They changed. Like so many names - name the same the quality is not.

I prefer the full brass sizer on 600 and Veramec 700 over any other method. My competition loads were always done on a single stage.


Get the books, read up and find a Reloader friend to assist in getting you set up.


s

 

[HSMITH]

Borg, you may be right.... Now that you mention it I don't know if it has a sizer for sure or not. I don't remember the Jr having one but I have been wrong before.

With the Grabbers and 9000G's on the bench I haven't looked at a 600 in a LONG time. I have two of them somewhere if I can find them to look at one tonight......

 

[STUPID1]

The Mec 600 jr. (single stage) does resize. The Mec 650 (progresive) does not. Also low brass and high brass will withstand equal pressures. As regards to reloading, the internal volume will change when switching from brand to brand. A differnt wad would be in order. Hope this helped.......