Shot Shell Reloading Questions

[Shotgun Dave]

Greetings Everyone !

Iv'e read through some of the recent threads, but most refer to rifle or pistol reloading. I would appreciate some advice on on the following, and if there is a thread covering this, please send it my way. Getting a Mec 600 jr. Mark 5, for Christmas, from my sons. I have reloaded shot shells before in the late 60's, but much has changed. I am not interested in mass production at this time, only to cut some of the cost on shooting skeet. I'll be using Rem STS
hulls in 12ga. low brass, and want to maintain a 1265 to 1300 fps, with 1 1/8, 7.5 lead shot. Rem. wads seem highly recommended, with Rem 209 primers. The big question for me is what "brand" of powder will work well with the Mec 600 powder dyes? Consistent fps is important to me in reloading. Last question, how many times can you reload an STS hull....safely.

Thanks, Shotgun Dave

 

[rcmodel]

You need to go to Hodgdon, or Allient, or other of the powder companies web-sites and pick your components & performance level based on the empty hulls you have.

http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/Index.htm

Shotgun load data is very hull specific, and the SST has it's own set of specs.

rcmodel

 

[Galil5.56]

Dave,

These 1 1/8 oz, 7.5 shot loads are actual chrongraphed results, fired from a 28" Beretta 686 O/U.

Rem STS case
FIG 8 wad
WW 209 primer (can sub Rem 209)
20.5 grains International Clays
1265 fps avg

Rem STS case
WW WT-12 wad
WW 209 primer
20.5 grains International Clays
1274 fps avg

Also included some AA hull/Unique data:

WW AA case (older true one piece CF)
WT-12 wad
WW209 primer
25 grains Unique
1279 fps avg

I used these loads with xtra hard target grade shot for Doves, and they pretty much duplicate factory handicap/international loads, and the International Clays loads are very clean and consistent.

Like the older red compression formed AA hulls, STS hulls last a long time. Expect at least 8 or so good loadings, and truth be told, I use them till they no longer hold a firm crimp after a lot more than eight.

Good luck!

 

[ReloaderFred]

A lot of shooters are going to one ounce and even 7/8 ounce loads for trap and skeet, and doing very well. It makes a bag of shot go a whole lot farther, and cuts down on the expense. It also results in less recoil for the shooter.

I would recommend buying the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Manual. It's chock full of data and you'll find exactly what you need in it.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[rg1]

I recommend the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook also. As you know most target 12 ga. loads are approx. 1100-1200 fps. Heavy target and light field loads in the Lyman manual approaches 1300 but not quite. Some loads will get 1265fps up to 1280 from Lymans manual. Some powders that data says will get near 1250-1300fps are Winchester Super Field WSF,
SR 7625, 800X, Herco, International. Like already posted, the Hodgdon web site has good data for Shotshell.

 

[JimKirk]

Shot Size

Shotgun Dave,
I'd like to ask why you're using #7.5 verses #8 or what I shoot #9?
#7.5 = 393 for 1/1/8oz
#8 = 461 or 68 more shot/load
#9 = 658 or 265 more shot/load

Skeet are not too hard to kill! Kinda tough to eat...have to boil them before you fry them...lots of mustard!

Jimmy K

 

[ants]

Dave, I started shotshell in 1968, so I know exactly where you started from.

Get the Lyman book mentioned above. It will get you up to speed on what they've done with hulls and wads since you and I were in high school. You will be very pleased with the education.

Then look through the data in the book for your combo. And of course the data published online by Hodgdon and Alliant, and download the data manual from Accurate.

 

[Beagle-zebub]

Where do you guys buy shot and wads?

 

[Birdhunter1]

IMR 800X and Hodgdon Longshot have been two great powders for me in my 20 and 12 guage shotguns. The 800X is a very good powder but I can get a bit more speed out of the Longshot in each gauge, the Longshot I use to make my 20 gauge loads hot and I use the 800X (because I have a bunch of it) in my 12 gauge to keep speed with my 20 gauge.

I made some turkey loads this past spring for a friend of mine using Longshot and 1 1/8 oz of #4 shot buffered, had a ton of speed and a tight pattern.

 

[oneounceload]

Where do you guys buy shot and wads?

Shot especially, I buy from my local gun club - they buy in bulk for many people so the freight costs are negligible.

Wads I'll buy there or from places like Graf and sons where they pay the freight

 

[oneounceload]

Dave - to save from money, you might want to look at loading 7/8 to 1 oz. loads at 1150-1200 fps - you'll use less powder, (less recoil), and less shot.....and the clays will still break as easily......

I use a MEC jr for 20 and 28; while not as fast as a progressive, you can load enough in an hour or two to cover your next visit to the gun club

 

[Birdhunter1]

My 20 gauge loader is a 700 versamec and my 12 gauge loader is a 600 Jr. The only real difference is the primer feeder on the 20 gauge, and it seems like it cuts my loading time in half just by taking out one step of the process.

 

[GE-Mini-Gun]

As others have mentioned that is a heavy load for skeet. With that said and this is my opinion, I’d go to Wal-Mart and get the cheapest stuff you can find and use that. After you purchase the components and include your time (which you have too) the store bought stuff is only a few cents more so…where you save money is the smaller gauges
I’m only getting about 6-8 reloads out of the STS 28 hulls and the last few times the crimp looks like hell, holds the shot in but not going to win any pageants.

 

[chrisgo]

Way too much speed and shot for skeet. There is no sense beating yourself to death on the skeet range with those loads. I shoot all the subgauges in skeet and the last thing I want is more recoil. My 12 gauge loads are 3/4 oz. of 9's behind 17.5 grs. of claydot, using pink downrange wad in a STS hull, with a winchester primer. You can also go up to 7/8 oz if you want a little longer shot string without changing powder charge at all. I guarantee that load will bust birds just as well as yours will as long as you do your part and stay on the target. And at the end of the day, your shoulder will feel a lot better as will your lead supply.
c.g.