Reloading

[prairiefirepointers]

I mentioned reloading in the Wal Mart thread, and I was wondering if anyone else reloads shotshells? IF so what for? IE, hunting,Trap/sporting clays Etc. Does anyone have any good load recipees for particular purposes?

[Sharon]

I have a MecJr. that i use to reload for skeet.
No special recipe. I'm reusing the hulls I shot so just mimic the recipe on the original box.

2 3/4 inch shells
20 gauge ( all I have)
7/8 oz.
#9 shot size
shot diameter .08
wt. (grains) 383
approx. # of pellets per load 512

[prairiefirepointers]

You shoot Skeet huh? Cool.. I shoot trap and LOVE it! Going to go try sporting clays this weekend.
I also use a MEC Jr.. Got the updated automatic primer feed and the bottle support.

[Gordon Guy]

I just bought a Mec 600 Jr. to start reloading 28 ga shells. They will be for hunting.
3/4 oz of 7.5's for Chukar, Huns and Quail.
And Non-toxic shells for the occasional foray of Waterfowl over decoys.

With the cost of 28 ga shells in the store (almost 2 times the cost of 12 gauge shells) I should realize some savings (not to mention the loads I like to shoot are not available in the stores, mail order only).

[Wagonmaster]

I have an automatic PW, hydraulically driven, and loaded a few hundred thousand rounds back in the years when I was shooting sporting clays competitively. I had a counter on the machine, and loaded as many as 32,000 in one year. All one oz., 7 1/2 or 8 shot, Clays powder. I also have a non-progressive PW I have used for some reloading for hunting, but the hunting shells are so good now compared to 30 or 40 years ago that it is not worth doing. I buy my shells for hunting.

[prairiefirepointers]

I need to find the recipee for the Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads. I had bought a case last year and I only have a few rounds remaining from it. I see that a box of 2 3/4" Goldens is about $18 bucks... Ouch! I know I can reload them for WAY less. All the loads I have loaded thus far (still a substancial amount) are Trap loads. As a matter of fact, I like our reloads better than the factory loads! Whenever I have to shoot a box of factory loads, Im like "Aww Man..."
I loaded some 1 oz #9 loads the other day with some PB powder and they were supposed to be about 1325 FPS, I'm pretty sure they were a bit hotter.. They were a bit much for shooting from the 16 YD line. I shot 4 of them from the 27 YD line (farthest line in Trap) and was crushing targets with them 1 oz 9's!
Its fun to experiment with different loads and chart the results.

[fishvik]

One of the blessings of living in Idaho is the chance of running into a variety of game birds when hunting. So I have a "go to" load for most everything. It is:
12 ga. Winchester AA hull
WAA12 wad
1 1/8 oz of #6 or 7 1/2 lead shot
Win 209 primer
29 gr. WSF powder

I use the 7 1/2s for chukers, doves, forest grouse and quail and the 6's for pheasants, huns, and sharpies.

[prairiefirepointers]

Here's a Pheasant Swatter..

Federal 12 Gauge 2 3/4 Gold Medal Hull OR
Winchester AA Hull

Winchester 209 primer
Remington Figure 8 Wad
1 1/8 Oz Shot (6 or 5's)
32.2 Grains of Hodgdon Longshot Powder

Velocity 1,585 FPS
Pressure 10K PSI

You won't have any cripples.

[claybuster_aa]

I mentioned reloading in the Wal Mart thread, and I was wondering if anyone else reloads shotshells? IF so what for? IE, hunting,Trap/sporting clays Etc. Does anyone have any good load recipees for particular purposes?

I reload for skeet in 12, 20, and 28 gauge. I use Mec Grabbers, 762Rs. I purchased the 3 machines used, two off of gun shop floors and the third off eBay.

12 gauge I use the AA hull, Federal 209A primers, Clays powder, and the CB Lightning wad (windjammer clone).

20 gauge I like Universal powder and in 28 I like Longshot powder.

[scout_on_38s]

I just started reloading this summer with a hand me down Hornady Apex from my uncle. I love it. I've been using Win AA or Remington Premier Hulls with WAA12 wads, and Win primers. I think I'm loading 1oz 71/2 shot with clays powder. I've been happy with what I've shot so far. Planning on using them for dove and quail. MIght have to try loading some of those Pheasant Swatters as you call them.

[Ayres]

I started reloading a couple years ago for the 20 ga. I use a light 3/4 oz recipe on quail and clays, but I stick to factory 7/8 or 1 oz #6 for pheasants. I go with 1oz #8's for dove.

I've also reloaded some 20 ga. slugs for deer hunting, though I do prefer the Federal Vital-Shok shells.