Matching MEC charge bars, bushings to a powder load

[martinontheroad]

I recently acquired an MEC 600 Jr. (old version) for 12 gauge with a 302-114 charge bar, with a #30 bushing. A bit of research found that this is for 1-1/4 oz. lead shot loads. However, I am drawing a bit of a blank as to what particular powder the #30 busing would be best matched to for a 12 gauge 1-1/4 oz load. For the powders I've been able to find loads for, the #30 appears to not meter out enough powder. With all of the experienced hands out there, I thought someone might know if there is a particular powder that the #30 bushing would go well with for 1-1/4 oz loads. Thanks for any leads.

Regards, Martin

 

[JimKirk]

Why not pick a load you want to load and buy the bushing to match, it may be easier to come up with than an unknown load combo. There are just too many variables to even try to guess, powder/wad/primer combos.

Looks like Unique and #30 bushing would make several combos.

Jimmy K

 

[martinontheroad]

Jimmy K - Thanks for the info. This is my first foray into shotgun reloading, so I have no particular reloading axe to grind. My thinking was to try and use what I have, if there was a good load for it that someone knew about. There appear to be more variables in shotgun reloading compared to pistols. I do use Unique powder for some pistol loads, but I see more people on the web discussing other more "shotgun" powders. I will take a closer look at the Unique loads. Thanks again!

R/Martin

 

[HOWARD J]

Two things to make your life easier reloading shotgun hulls:
The RCBS handbook of shotshell reloading &
The Universal Charge bar by Multi-scale Charge Ltd.--An adjustable bar that replaces all powder & shot bushings. With this bar you can pick many settings.
Welcome to the forum & have fun................................................

 

[oneounceload]

What are you gpoing to be using the shells for - hunting? clays?? something else??

1-1/4 oz would be a fairly heavy hunting loads for pheasant and the like. Target shooters tend to prefer 7/8 or 1oz loads. The charge bars and bushings aren't expensive, however, I like the aforementioned Universal Charge Bar so I can dial in exactly what load I want. I have three MEC's with the UCB's on them.

You need to determine what hulls you'll be using and what wad - this is not like metallic where you can mix and match components - there are specific recipes.

Looking at Alliant's website, they have posted recipes for Unique - depending on the wad and hull, the powder charge varies. If you go to MEC's site, they have a bushing chart that tells you the approximate powder drop by bushing number

 

[NCsmitty]

Welcome to THR, martinontheroad.

If you're only going to shoot clay targets, my suggestion is to get another charge bar or two that drops 1oz(302-100) or 1 1/8oz(302-118).
Over the course of using a 25lb bag of shot, you'll realize a saving of quite a few extra shells with a lower shot charge.
You really do not need to shoot 1 1/4 oz for clay targets.

As mentioned, choose a powder load to try and use the appropriate bushing. There are several good clean burning powders on the market now. Go to www.alliantpowder.com or www.hodgdon.com for ideas on powders.

http://www.mecreloaders.com/PowderBushingBar/BushingChargeBar.asp

Check ebay or other auction sites for bushings and bars.



NCsmitty

 

[JimKirk]

A bit of research found that this is for 1-1/4 oz. lead shot loads

Martin
This statement is what threw me off, as I had thought you had made enough research to see that there is a multitude of hull/wad/powder/primer combos out there. I'm sorry that I was not more specific, but without knowing what hull and wad you are using then it would have been a total guess and not even a good one at that.

Get yourself one of the books listed by Howard, the RCBS shot shell handbook and the Lyman shotshell manual, I would get both. There are loads listed in one that is not in the other.

Shotshell reloading is one case where trying "stuff" just to be trying it, will get you in hot water fast! Shotguns are much weaker by design than some of the other guns, so play it safe and ONLY use listed load combos.

I have found that is best to find a load that works as you want and stick with that load, swapping back and to between powders/wads/primers only leads to confusion. I am not saying not to experiment to find what you want, but only that when you find THAT load, stick to it. I tend to pick one hull, it used to be the Winchester AA, but I find myself leaning toward the Remington hull lately. I do the same with wads and powder too, volume buying is the way to save $$ with shotshell reloading. Bushings are reasonable too, so there is not a lot of $$ tied up unless you have to have one of every size, the adjustable bars are OK especially for finding "that" load, but again I tend to stick with bushings.
Welcome to the world of shotshell reloding!!

Jimmy K