Rst reloading
 

Anyone have any recommendations for reloading rst shells as to be able to maintain their low pressure properties for Damascus shooting. I am just getting around to wanting to use my reloading machine for the first time and looking for some pointers on products, sources and amounts. The rst loads I am looking to reload are the 1175 lite's. 12g 2.5" 1oz. In varying shot sizes. Obviously I would use 1oz of shot. But what you good recommendations be for powder and wads?

To start I'd cut one open to see what they use originally.

Check out this old thread for a couple of recipes:
http://parkerguns.org/forums/archive...hp?t-4763.html

Not directly helpflull to Brian, but I cut open a Black Cloud 2&3/4", 1oz, steel shot, 12ga to see what it looked like. The wad was heavy plastic, cup unslit, no cushion (not needed with steel?) but the tail was slit to act as a parachute I guess, shot weighed 415gr (about 5% less than stated), powder looked like Unique and weighed 28gr (what a load, may justify the 1500fps claimed).

Are you stuck on using 2 1/2 inch RST's specifically, or are you just looking for low pressure loads for your Damascus 12ga? My 12ga loader is a Mec Grabber, which is a progressive machine and can't be modified to load the shorter shells. I've only recently started reloading, and was asking the same question about short RST 12ga reloads. The Fox and Parker guys I've consulted about this told me not to worry as much about using a 2 1/2in versus a 2 3/4in inch shell for 12ga's. In a 16ga or especially in a 20ga I think it makes a big difference in the pressures, but not so much in the 12ga. I'm reloading Remington Gun Club, STS's, Nitro Golds, Federal Gold, and Winchester AA's in 2 3/4 inches and using them in my Parkers and Foxes that have short chambers. I'm using IMR PB Powder and the Claybuster Wads (CB-1100) and Remington STS 209 or Winchester 209 Primers. With that combination I've been able to come up with several 1oz loads from 1100fps to 1200fps, and between 6,000 to 7,000 PSI (some as low as 4,300) and I can use any of the hulls I've listed.

Mike

i use 700-x, it has a lot of low pressure loads 13 to 16 grs or so for most loads at 1100 to 1150 fps at 5000 to 6000 psi, i use it from 20 ga 3/4 oz to 10 ga 1 1/4 oz loads. look it up and i think you will like it. scott

IMHO, 800x is a great low pressure powder. Only issue is that it is dirty, but who cares - you clean the gun anyway

I finally got to cutting open and weighing a couple of RST shells that I have. Both are 1oz lites. 6 and 7 shot.

Actual shot weight was .982 and 1.017 oz.
Powder measured in at 18.6 and 18.8 grains.

The other thread referenced mentioned using 20 grains and achieving 1,220 fps.
I know these factory RST loads are rated at 1,175 fps. if I remember correctly. So I am sure the additional grain or so of powder makes for the increased velocity. I am going to check out the local store by me that is known for having a lot of reloading supplies for very reasonable prices. Will have to see what kinds of powders they have. I doubt if they have the wads I need, but we will see.

Brian
What was the wad column made of in the RST?
Poly wad
Filler- what? inside the shotcup or under it?

I do what 10 bore says, lite loads with 700x. I started out scared to pull the trigger, now I loadem and shootem. You do need to examine your own barrels ,to see what you are comfortable with. I have an old set of stub twist in a 1 frame 12 that are severly pitted. I shootem all the time. Start out light and move up as you feel more comfortable. Dave