12ga shotgun reloaders

[Homerange]

Oh and some comments for a shotshell newbie about hulls.
Far more pronounced are variations in hull volume than when loading centerfire brass.

My advice is to focus on only one type/brand of hull, a one piece and without a separate internal base wad.
If you use mixed volume cases some won't crimp properly and you can't transfer one load to a different hull without correct length shot wads and further with low volume powders and low internal base wads the primer can protrude almost beyond the powder and give unreliable powder ignition....very embarrassing when in front of shooters at a competition shootoff or such. Don't ask ! Some lessons are hard learned.

Medium length brass base is a good allrounder unless you're pushing for high power/velocity loads which a newbie should work towards and not start with.
IME 8 fold crimps have lasted best and don't have fold alignment issues with the crimp starter and it also pays to load in warm conditions to have the crimps last longer.

 

[Timberyote]

Get yourself the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Manual, IMO the best info and loads out there.

I run a Versamec 700 from the '70's.

 

[bsekf]

MEC Sizemaster, it sizes the case base and has a primer feed, and I customize my shot and powder bushings so they throw the correct weights. At the cost and availability of components, I am shooting 10% of what I used to.

 

[AWS]

I have three Mec 600's set for 2.5" 12 and 16ga and a 20ga that I redid to load short 10ga. The Mec Super Sizer is an awesome piece of equipment for bring case heads and rims back into specs. I shoot a number of old to very old sxs's and chambers are all over the place so the Super Sizer is great.

Back when my wife and i were shooting competitively we ran a PW 800B and bought shot by the ton. If I were loading for one standard gauge I'd look seriously at the PW 375.

 

[PatMiles]

Gonna hear from the MEC fanboys for this.
The Dillon SL 900 is an incredible machine. There is a learning curve but it's not steep.
Yes I have been down the MEC road with a 12, 20, 28 and 410. That was a steep learning curve. Had to go to confession daily.

 

[Homerange]

MEC Sizemaster, it sizes the case base and has a primer feed, and I customize my shot and powder bushings so they throw the correct weights. At the cost and availability of components, I am shooting 10% of what I used to.

FYI, 600 Jr sizes brass too and has optional primer feeder.

 

[liljoe]

The first thing I would do is find all the components you need to load. I have not looked for any shotshell stuff in a long time but everything is difficult to find.
Last time I looked at a bag of shot at my local store it was like $68 for a 25lb bag. I did see some 209 primers for about $75 per 1000.
A guy could buy a lot of boxes of shotshells for the initial investment.
Joe

 

[Cecil S.]

Oh and some comments for a shotshell newbie about hulls.
Far more pronounced are variations in hull volume than when loading centerfire brass.

My advice is to focus on only one type/brand of hull, a one piece and without a separate internal base wad.
If you use mixed volume cases some won't crimp properly and you can't transfer one load to a different hull without correct length shot wads and further with low volume powders and low internal base wads the primer can protrude almost beyond the powder and give unreliable powder ignition....very embarrassing when in front of shooters at a competition shootoff or such. Don't ask ! Some lessons are hard learned.

Medium length brass base is a good allrounder unless you're pushing for high power/velocity loads which a newbie should work towards and not start with.
IME 8 fold crimps have lasted best and don't have fold alignment issues with the crimp starter and it also pays to load in warm conditions to have the crimps last longer.

Thanks Homerange , good stuff.

 

[Cecil S.]

Get yourself the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Manual, IMO the best info and loads out there.

I run a Versamec 700 from the '70's.

Thanks Timberyote , just ordered.

 

[Cecil S.]

Cecil,
MEC sizemaster is a great single stage loader . I've had just about every modern reloader but the Spolar. Unless you want volume a single stage MEC will fit the bill without breaking the bank.
Personal likes of the sizemaster the collet resizer and the primer tray vers the 600 a ring type resizing station and single handling of primers .
JW

Looking at MEC 600jr

 

[Cecil S.]

The first thing I would do is find all the components you need to load. I have not looked for any shotshell stuff in a long time but everything is difficult to find.
Last time I looked at a bag of shot at my local store it was like $68 for a 25lb bag. I did see some 209 primers for about $75 per 1000.
A guy could buy a lot of boxes of shotshells for the initial investment.
Joe

Yeah I expected this. But I chose the 12ga and I wont be hunting with it. So school is in session and I dont mind going slow.

 

[cmysix]

I would not bother, The cost of lead and components is so high, it's not worth it anymore.

 

[Homerange]

Thanks Homerange , good stuff.

Once you get properly into shotshell reloading you'll find a big variance in different propellant volumes for safe loads.
Study of shotshell reloading books and powders used and wad types hints at this if you keep your eyes open.

 

[Cecil S.]

Cecil,
MEC sizemaster is a great single stage loader . I've had just about every modern reloader but the Spolar. Unless you want volume a single stage MEC will fit the bill without breaking the bank.
Personal likes of the sizemaster the collet resizer and the primer tray vers the 600 a ring type resizing station and single handling of primers .
JW

I am liking this press!

 

[Cecil S.]

Once you get properly into shotshell reloading you'll find a big variance in different propellant volumes for safe loads.
Study of shotshell reloading books and powders used and wad types hints at this if you keep your eyes open.

So where do you come across your chosen hulls? do you purchase factory loads and go from there? For now I think I will just stay with 3" loads and go from there. to keep things simple. Am i wrong in thinking this way?

 

[Homerange]

So where do you come across your chosen hulls? do you purchase factory loads and go from there? For now I think I will just stay with 3" loads and go from there. to keep things simple. Am i wrong in thinking this way?

Just focussed on 1 piece hulls = no separate base wad. At one time you could get all the used hulls you wanted from gun club empty hull bins. Preferred 12g Win 8 crimp hulls above all others....still have a sack full.

What weight load are you planning on ? 1 1/8 oz is max comfortable recoil for trap loads but not near max velocities but for 3" hulls you'll need long wads.

 

[257ack]

BILLY D SUPPLIES

My Store

billydsupplies.com

 

[Cecil S.]

Just focussed on 1 piece hulls = no separate base wad. At one time you could get all the used hulls you wanted from gun club empty hull bins. Preferred 12g Win 8 crimp hulls above all others....still have a sack full.

What weight load are you planning on ? 1 1/8 oz is max comfortable recoil for trap loads but not near max velocities but for 3" hulls you'll need long wads.

Years ago I Turkey hunted with a Mossberg 835 with a duplex reload from a friend. So recoil is no surprise to me. But I dont wish to be pounded to death. The auto loaders help to manage recoil so this is the direction I will be taking. #4 lead is where i will start , but I am not looking for a hunting load. So tight pattern at distance is where I will be playing.

 

[257ack]

If I was to load only 3" hulls , I would go with the euro hulls (Cheddite, Rio, Fiocchi) Thats sold by BPI. The Mg 42 wad might be a good place to start. (You need to use straight wall wads in euro hulls). If your looking to load 00 they dont stack well in the MG 42. but most other large shot does. I use the older Fed S-4.for my 00 Maybe CSD118 may work. Claybuster has came out with a straight wall wad for 2 3/4" hulls that is long enough for 3" hulls and stacks 00 real well but there is no loading data. ONLY USE PUBLISHED LOADS!!!!!! at least untill you really know your limits. If your gonna use 3' euro hulls (in my opinion they are the best for large shot) You need to get the loading manual from BPI (Ballistic Products). Once you set your press up to load these hulls, leave it there. A word of caution: the Lee load all will work fine with 2 3/4 but not with 3' as they say it will

 

[Cecil S.]

If I was to load only 3" hulls , I would go with the euro hulls (Cheddite, Rio, Fiocchi) Thats sold by BPI. The Mg 42 wad might be a good place to start. (You need to use straight wall wads in euro hulls). If your looking to load 00 they dont stack well in the MG 42. but most other large shot does. I use the older Fed S-4.for my 00 Maybe CSD118 may work. Claybuster has came out with a straight wall wad for 2 3/4" hulls that is long enough for 3" hulls and stacks 00 real well but there is no loading data. ONLY USE PUBLISHED LOADS!!!!!! at least untill you really know your limits. If your gonna use 3' euro hulls (in my opinion they are the best for large shot) You need to get the loading manual from BPI (Ballistic Products). Once you set your press up to load these hulls, leave it there. A word of caution: the Lee load all will work fine with 2 3/4 but not with 3' as they say it will

Thanks!