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View Full Version : SMOKELESS 16 gauge 2 1/2" low pressure


CraigThompson
08-11-2012, 05:18 PM
I'm intrested in a low pressure 2 1/2" 16 gauge load as well .

However I'm going to be using RST hulls and trimmed Federal High brass hulls . Also will use them with the Claybuster knock off of the WAA16 wad . Primers on hand are CCI209's but I may get some WIN 209's as well . Will be using 1 ounce or 7/8's ounce shot in this one .

Now then what powder and charge does anyone recommend ?

So then hulls used will be ,
RST
Federal high brass trimmed

Wad ,
Claybuster knock off of the WAA16

Primers used ,
CCI209
WIN209

Now what powder to use and charge weights to stay in the under 7,000 range ?

CraigThompson
08-11-2012, 05:30 PM
Precision reloading makes brass adapters for the 12 gauge and 20 gauge to use on MEC 600 JR's . I like this idea better then putting short kits on them like I have on the 600 JR I load 2 7/8" 10 gauge .

Now I am wondering if anyone makes something like this brass thing for use on a 600 JR 16 gauge ?

I have one 16 gauge thats 2 1/2" and about 5 that are 2 3/4" so it would be far easier for me to use the little brass thing rather then changing the MEC short kit in this one for sure !

Sorry I put this in the wrong place !

Dave Miles
08-11-2012, 09:21 PM
http://data.hodgdon.com/main_menu.asp

CraigThompson
08-12-2012, 08:52 AM
I asked for data for 2 1/2" . All they show is 2 3/4" . I am sure something has to change when one cuts a 1/4" off the shell .

And on top of that I already have data for 2 3/4" shells from Hogdon , IMR , Winchester and Alliant .

Dave Miles
08-12-2012, 07:22 PM
When you list all the components you want to use, except powder, don't expect too many replies.
I would suggest you take the components you want to use, make up several different loads with the powder of your choice and send them to Tom Armbrust for testing. That's how I came up with loads using components of my choice.

CraigThompson
08-12-2012, 09:37 PM
Some how I don't see myself doing that but thanks for the info !

George M. Purtill
09-08-2012, 09:45 AM
HELP
Rather than start a new thread, is there anybody out there who is reloading the RST 16 gauge hull?
I plan to use the SP16 wad and 700X powder with Win209 primers and 1/8 felt wads under the shot.
But I am open to suggestions.
Thanks.

mike covington
09-10-2012, 10:45 AM
George, I reload the RST Cheddite hulls, Fiocchi primers, American Select powder, Gualandi SG-16 wad, 7/8 oz shot. Nice loads and easy on me and the old guns.

New 2 1/2" primed Cheddite hulls are available from Precision Reloading and can also be loaded with the DR-16 wad and roll crimped.

Mike

Paul Harm
09-10-2012, 06:08 PM
Graig, the same data can be used for any length shell as long as everything will fit - a good crimp. When going to shorter shells something has to change and that's usually wad column height or payload. Try going to 7/8oz of shot and if that doesn't work try a different wad. There may not be much choice with the 16ga plastic wads, so you may have to use fiber wads. There is a 16ga reloading forum - not sure of their web address.

Paul Stafford
09-10-2012, 08:47 PM
16ga.com offers reloading info, but you have to join and pay to get the formulas.

George M. Purtill
09-10-2012, 10:45 PM
16ga.com offers reloading info, but you have to join and pay to get the formulas.

what is 16 gauge.com?

Paul Stafford
09-10-2012, 11:05 PM
it's just a website that only focus on 16ga guns, from vintage to current production. There are a few members in here that showed me it a while back.
http://www.16ga.com

I have no connection other than they were very helpful.

mike covington
09-11-2012, 10:30 AM
The 16 ga site is free, you only need to register to join, and there is a world of info available on topics ranging from guns for sale to reloading for the 16 ga.

There is a different association, that does cost $20 to join, named the low pressure reloading group. This site is hosted on Yahoo. Literally hundreds of loads are available to members. Great info and well worth the small cost.

Mike

Greg Baehman
09-13-2012, 09:40 AM
Actually, Jent it's known as the HARTIN crimp.

Paul Harm
09-13-2012, 12:02 PM
And with even less shell sticking up above the overshot card you can get a roll crimp. I haven't done it but a friend did.

John Farrell
09-18-2012, 01:16 PM
If you build a load from Hodgdon or Alliant that is printed for a 2 3/4" hull and it fits in the hull you have cut back, you are not going to be able to fold crimp it. The loads are made for a fold crimped hull. However, you will be able to roll crimp the shell using an overshot card available (page 135) from Precision Reloading @ 1-800-223-0900. And, they have roll crimping tools (page 128) of their catalog. Its yours for the asking.

Dave Noreen
09-19-2012, 11:23 AM
I don't reload short 16-gauge shells, RST takes care of all my needs in that arena. I do load a lot of 2 3/4 inch 16-gauge 7/8 ounce loads using the purple Federal hull, a Winchester 209 primer, 16.2 grains of American Select (load from 16ga,com was 16 grains, but my bushing throws 16.2), a DR-16 wad and 7/8 ounce of shot.

mike covington
09-19-2012, 11:45 AM
I had some 16 ga loads tested last year. New Fiocchi 2 3/4" hull & primer, 17 grns American Select, DR-16 wad, 7/8 oz shot. Results were 1260 FPS, 8,233 PSI, EV of 17 & 100. Really nice soft shooting loads.

Mike

Paul Harm
09-26-2012, 01:07 PM
Dave, for short shells all you do is cut off what you want and on a Mec 600 put an equal size spacer under the last three stations [ or buy Mecs short shell kit for $30 ]. If you use a wad intended for 1 1/8oz of shot but only load 7/8oz it'll sit lower in the shell and crimp nice. Cheaper than RSt and fun to do.

Steve McCarty
10-16-2012, 06:42 PM
I asked for data for 2 1/2" . All they show is 2 3/4" . I am sure something has to change when one cuts a 1/4" off the shell .

And on top of that I already have data for 2 3/4" shells from Hogdon , IMR , Winchester and Alliant .

I hope I don't sound stupid. I have not started reloading shotshells yet, but can one use 2 3/4 loads, but with a shorter wad so the load will fit into the shorter shell?

Paul Harm
10-18-2012, 03:13 PM
I have a load data booklet from IMR and useing 700X at 14.5 to 15 grs in a Remington hull with 24gm or 1oz load only has at the most 7500psi. Same with PB with 18 to 19 grs - has at the most 7000psi. That's with any wad and primer combination. I only use Cheddite primers - about the same as Win primers - and Claybuster wads. Any of the above loads useing them are down at 6300psi or lower. I have used a Claybuster wad meant for 1 3/8oz load with only 7/8oz of shot. That wad is shorter, so a 2 1/2" shell can be used. Is it safe ? I don't know, but I feel safe loading at low pressures and useing the same powder, primer, and wad manufacture. I'm not telling anyone to do it. What I would do is load either paper wads or get plastic wads made for 2 1/2" shells from Ballistic Products.

Steve McCarty
10-18-2012, 06:47 PM
Just today and only a few hours ago I finally got to shoot my GH with Polywad 1 oz loads with fiber wads. I had never shot the gun before! Was shooting trap. Lots of fun, and I discovered some interesting things about the load and the gun.

First, the Polywad 1 oz 2.5" shell shot like any other shell. It shot hard and when being put thru the tight F&F tubes of my GH it "dusted" them. The gun has a pretty low comb and there was no "air" at all. To hit the going straight away bird I put the bead (I really don't look at it) at 6 o'clock on the bird and it'd dust it. Fun. I'd put the gun along the track of the crossing bird in order to hit it.

The gun worked perfectly and the recoil felt like the recoil of any Double with a hard pad, neither soft nor hard, but just right. The #2 frame is heavy with those thick damascus tubes, but if one is not "carrying the gun in the bush" the weight makes no diff, actually I like it because it steadies the gun.

In short, shooting my GH at my local trap club was better than I thought it would be. I still like the SBT better tho, because of its higher comb and Silver's recoil pad.

Oh, even tho my GH sports 30" tubes it still feels short. But I have been shooting a Model 11 Remington which has a long action/receiver.