Getting Started Again

[bob weeman]

Now that I have a Damascus Parker requiring 2 1/2 inch shells I am going to get back into re-loading again. Do most presses handle the 2 1/2 inch shells or is there a special set up needed. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Currently shooting RST shells and want to try and cut the costs....

[Harry Collins]

Bob,

MEC's 600 Jr along with their "short kit" is a handy though slow way to reload 2 1/2" shells. I recently spoke with MEC and asked if one could adjust their progressive loaders down to 2 1/2". THe answer was no. You can cut a 2 3/4" shell down to 2 9/16" leaving some crimp memory and with an over shot card reload short shells on a loader set up for 2 3/4". It turns out like an ugly roll crimp. I, on the other hand, shoot 2 3/4" shells in my Parkers from 1881 to 1934. Sherman Bell wrote "Finding Out For Myelf" in the Double Gun Journal. He tested the jump in pressure form short shells in short chambers to long shells in short chambers. The increase in pressure was about 300 psi.

Harry

[Dave Miles]

Come on now Harry, it's not that slow of a process.
I've loaded over 3000 2-1/2 sherlls in the last month.
Trying to get ready for the Eastern and the U.P. SxS Shoots.
These are 12, 16, and 20 gauge shells.

[E Robert Fabian]

Bob, if you buy the Size Master with a primmer feed it is a pretty good set up, you could load a box in about five minutes. I bought one for a short ten and it does a great job.

Check ebay they always have a selection of used press'

[Bill Murphy]

A box in five minutes on a single stage loader? When can we see the video?

[Bill Murphy]

I would shoot 2 3/4" low pressure shells in any safe Parker that does not have square corner chambers. Some early guns do have such chambers and should be used with proper length shells or have the corners taken out.

[Harry Collins]

Dave,

I can load a 100 shells on a Grabber in about 10 min if everything is set up. It takes me about an hour to load 100 on a 600 Jr. My biggest problem with the 600 Jr is my attention span and that is only about 10 min.

Harry

[Dave Miles]

Harry,

I go in the reloading room to relax, and get away from HGTV. :rotf:

[Harry Collins]

Dave,

Nice set up! I escape the TV as well, but ours is a @*$^!TV.

Harry

[Pat Dugan]

I also shoot 2 3/4 inch Winchester AA 12 ga shells with 1 1/8 oz 7 1/2 shot.
Asa Kelley said the PSI is about 5800 or so. They work well shooting trap in an 1879 Parker under lifter choked IM and IM. The same low pressure shell will also work OK in a Benelli auto.

PDD

[Frank Cronin]

Pat,

What powder and wad are you using? Can you forward the reload data?

5800 at what velocity?

Thanks,

Frank

[Dean Romig]

Frank,

Did you grow up on West Street in Medford - 1940's - 1950's ??

[Harry Collins]

My 5400 psi load @ 1150 fps is AA hull, WW209 primer, 22.5 grain IMR 800X, CB1118-12 wad and 1 1/8 oz lead shot.

Harry

[bob weeman]

Thanks everyone......Harry, those pressures are for 2 1/2 inch chambers with 2 3/4 inch shells? Checking for square cut chambers sounds pretty simple but i have never done it. If they are not square cut is there no discernable break between the chanmber and barrel? I would prefer to use 2 3/4 inch shells if possible.

[Harry Collins]

Bob,

The 5400 psi load I listed was for 2 3/4 shell in 2 3/4 chamber. I shoot it in Parkers from 1881 on. If you want a short shell you can trim 2 3/4 hulls to 2 9/16. This will leave a small crimp memory and you reload as normal except you insert an overshot card. It is like an ugly roll crimp. I did some of these for two 16 gauge Parker's, but gave it up and just shoot 2 3/4" shells in the short chambers.

Harry

[Forrest Grilley]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know of a good source for low pressure 12 ga. 2 1/2" loading data? Did Sherman Bell ever do an article specifically on 2 1/2" loads?

[E Robert Fabian]

Try this data.hodgdon.com they have 2 1/2 loading data.