New to Shotshell Reloading - Load Check?

[soloban]

I'm looking at getting into reloading 12g Shotshells. I'm an experienced rifle and pistol reloader already. I'm planning on reloading 00 or #4 Buckshot loads to practice with my 870. Here's what I was able to piece together in terms of available components:

2 3/4" Fiocchi Hulls (Primed w/ Fiocchi 616)
Claybuster CB0178-12 (WAA12L)
00 Lead Buckshot

I have about 3/4# of Universal Clays or 1/2# of 700x powder in my stash.

I'll probably have some Wal-Mart Federal target shotshells to use at some point as well.

Looks like I have better luck with 700x load data. I was thinking between 20-22gr.

Thoughts?

 

[12Bravo20]

I can't help you on those particular loads. I do suggest getting shotgun reloading manuals. Shot shell reloading is more finicky than reloading metallic cartridges. Not all brands/types of hull will take the same powder charge. There are differences in the thickness/size of shot shell bases. A powder charge for Brand X hulls might be too much for Brand Y hulls.

 

[USSR]

Thoughts?

You are approaching this all wrong. Loading buckshot is different than loading shot. First, you don't get the components and then go looking for loads for it. You find the load data and then go get the components you need. Secondly, 00 buckshot is loading in layers of 3, and 3 00 buck in a single layer will not fit in a 12 gauge wad. So, you have to either cut the petals off or use another wad without petals. And lastly, you typically use slower burning powders than 700X for buckshot loads. Suggest you get a shotgun reloading manual and read it thoroughly.

Don

 

[soloban]

Ok - I see where I went wrong. I was using load data from the IMR/Hodgdon site and was using 1oz for load instead of selecting 9 - #00 Buck.

 

[gamestalker]

I have no choice but to agree with USSR, you are approaching this all wrong. We just went through this with another OP yesterday or so.

Anyway, buy some books, find the recipe that you want to load, and then go buy those specific components. You can't just grab a hull and then use non matched components to that hull. With thousands upon thousands of recipe's out there, so it can be a mind boggling task until you become more familiar with things, but it is a must! And never, ever, substitute steel for lead, or lead for steel recipes.

GS

 

[soloban]

So - Recommendations on books with buckshot load data? I'm not looking to reload for trap/skeet. Its just not economical from my perspective when I can buy it for $6/box at WM.

 

[oneounceload]

First, you don't get the components and then go looking for loads for it. You find the load data and then go get the components you need.

To accomplish the suggestions above, look at the Lyman and ABC books available on Ebay, Amazon, and possibly, even in your library where the copies typically cost about 15 cents per page...

 

[Tolkachi Robotnik]

Buckshot loads special circumstance

The fast powders I've not seen in loading data for buckshot. I would consider 700X a fast powder for target loads. Pressures can be spiked by odd sized pellets galling toward the sides of the bore, that is reason for specific numbers of specific sized buckshot in the data. It is also why different gauges of shotguns use different sizes of buckshot.

It has become pretty obvious that regular small shot loads are hard to make with an intent to save much money. The components have went up at least as fast as the actual loads in factory formations, especially for 12 and 20 gauges. You are right about this.

Buckshot loads can be hand done with some advantage for patterns etc. You might try stacking in specific arrangements or consider buffers. You cannot add buffers without expecting pressure changes if the buffer is not mentioned in the data.

Usually if you are doing buckshot the loads are a little higher pressure, a little heavier recoil, and a little more specific to a shotgun for if they pattern well. This is especially true if you are considering weight of the lead buckshot charge compared to smaller shot sizes. In the old data the fiber base wad hulls, heavy load empties were most often described as the hull used, they are more forgiving in the pressure spike arena.

 

[soloban]

Ok - I'm back. Bought a manual (Reloading for Shotgunners) and read up. Take #2:

I remembered I have close to 1LB of HS-6. Using the data on page 262:

* 3" Federal Hull w/209A primer. (Has internal 0.090" plastic basewad)
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Federal-12ga-3-new_primed-hull-100_bag/productinfo/0621230/

- Is this the same as "Federal One-Piece" ?

* Fed 12S3 Wad (Claybuster 2118-12)

* 36.0 - 38.5gr HS-6 -or- 28.0 gr of Universal Clays

* 12 00 Lead Pellets

 

[Tolkachi Robotnik]

A lot closer to a real buckshot load

I do not know what the hulls are. You are getting close now. I would recommend starting with nine 00 pellets in a short shell. Those are pretty standard and they stack in three levels of three. The three inch shell is probably simply a fourth layer.

You are on your own to make sure you match the recipe.

Make just a few and try them. Buckshot loads are a lot closer to metallic cartridge loading compared to bar thrown trap and skeet loads.

I would recommend the HS6 over the Clays. It will take up more space in the hull and is a little slower a powder. It will likely pattern better.

 

[soloban]

How about these hulls instead?

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Fe...rimed_clear-hull-100_bag/productinfo/0621275/

Getting mind-boggled by the different hulls out there.

 

[oneounceload]

While there are many brands of hulls, there really aren't that many "types". That being said, types cannot be safely intermixed.

Tapered hulls like Winchester AA, ALL Remington can be safely loaded using the same recipe/components.

Federal, Cheddite, Fiocchi and similar are straight-walled hulls and use a different style of wad which is necessary to prevent powder migration

Most sites will sort loads by type of shot (lead/steel/buck/etc.), hull type, and then powder/primer/wad so start your load search by load type and hull and then go from there.

I suspect you will find more possibilities with 2-3/4"loads

Unlike metallic, you do not start and work up - you find a load and use that recipe. Do NOT trust a bushing for a powder drop, ALWAYS check powder drops with a scale

 

[VaGunNut]

I use these and Rio's almost exclusively for slug and buckshot. F shot thru slugs. I use ballistic products manuals exclusively. Try some loads using PB powder. Try a MG 42 wad with #1 buckshot. Stacks nicely and a very tight round. Remember.... an ounce is an ounce whether its #6 or OO buck.