16 gauge 2 1/2 low pressure loads

[john federici]

Looking for some help on load date for a Parker 16 gauge I recently purchased. I've been using some RST Ultra Light loads that work fine but are costly. Can anyone provide some date for various light pressure loads using 2 1/2 shells.
Thanks
John Federici
Rhode Island

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Lots of info here if you look at past posts in the reloading forum. But yes less costly alternatives exist. Since you already have some RST hulls(hope you saved them), I would use those, and empty primed cheddite hulls can also be purchased thru BPI or precision reloading. BTW RST hulls are cheddite hulls. Hogdon's reloading site has good loads for 2 1/2" cheddite hulls , both 7/8 and 3/4. I load the following- taken from Hogdons.

1. Cheddite 2 1/2" hull /Universal 19.5-19.9 gr /Win209 primer or cheddite209
SG16 wad/ 7/8 oz lead--gives 1125 to 1150 fps and 7500 psi

2. Cheddite 2 1/2" hull/ International 16 gr/ win or cheddite 209 primer/
DR16 wad/ 3/4 oz lead--1150 fps @ 6200 psi

Both are soft shooting loads you will like, good luck

[john federici]

Nash thanks so much for your reply and recommendation.. John Federici

[Randy G Roberts]

John here are some recipes that I saved as furnished by Nick Sisley. If you are not familiar with Mr. Sisley he was a noted outdoor writer and was known for his shotgun expertise. A number of the loads require 7625 and PB which is nearly impossible to obtain but there are several others that may be of interest. I cannot vouch for any of them as I do not reload the 16, yet. Good luck !

[Harold Lee Pickens]

good loads Randy, I listed Universal and International because they are easily found. I still have 4 #'s of 7625 and a # of PB. I found them at a gun show last year, and made the guy an offer on them, $100 for all. I'd like to load some shells up and see if I can tell any performance difference between Universal vs 7625 in 7/8 loads and International vs PB in 3/4 oz loads.
BTW, I printed those recipies off and put them I my reloading files.
I sub between the Win 209 and Cheddite 209 primers--but don't know anything about Nobelsport

[Harry Collins]

I use the same load Harold recommended with International powder. I have some Dr16 wads, but can't find them.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Problems at the Downrange factory has them temporaraly out of production. I have heard
they are about ready to resume production, so hopefully will be available soon .

[john federici]

Want to thank all for your suggestions. New to the relic shotgun game as I've been a competitive Trapshooter for many years .. thanks again, John Federici

[Harry Collins]

John,

The trouble I've found with factory shells are they are too damn expensive and too hot. Hardly anything out there in a 7/8 oz load or even a 1 oz load under 1200 fps. Tell us about your 16?

Harry

[Randy G Roberts]

Harold I purchased these locally some time back in the fall, 20 lbs worth. I did so in anticipation of the day when I reload for the 16. I was thinking this would be a post retirement venture but the way things are headed I may have some extra time sooner than expected.

[Mike Koneski]

I procured over 50# of PB and 7625 back as soon as the word came out that they were to be discontinued. I use the 16SG wads from Ballistic Products. They are made to be used in the 2 1/2" hulls. I'll share my recipes here soon. Wish I saw this thread an hour ago, I was just up in the loft and loaded 80 of the 10g 2 7/8" shells. Movement over emotion.

[Jay Oliver]

John, I am glad you got some good advice on reloading for your Parker 16. I have a VH and a top action hammer 16 that I shoot regularly. I am in Rhode Island as well and often shoot at Peace Dale, Addieville and RIFGPA. We'll have to go shooting sometime.

This is a great forum...lots of great people and great information

[john federici]

Harry I purchased a 1916 vintage trojan. I shot a box of the 2 3/4 1oz winchester light loads that I purchased but there was evidence of excessive pressure on brass a I stopped. The RST ULTRA LIGHTS work great but too expensive. I'm trying to find a 16 ga conversion kit for a mec 600 I'm not using. Wondering if I should just try to find a used 16 ga mec.. there is one sporting clay facility still open here in RI..take care

[john federici]

Jay would like to do that some day.. I live in harrisville and shoot skeet and trap pretty regularly at wallum lake rod and gun club

[Mike Koneski]

My 16g 2 1/2" load is as follows-

2 1/2" RST (Cheddite) hull
7/8 oz shot
BP Sporting 16 Short wad
16.4g PB

For a spreader load I cut an X-Stream insert in half and drop it in before I drop the shot.

You may want to get a copy of Ballistic Products shotshell reloading manual. THOUSANDS of recipes in there.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Mike, just curious, why do you cut the X-stream insert in half? Does a whole one take up to much space for a good crimp? I have a bag of those, but haven't used them--bought them to open up my F/F Lefever G Damascus.

[Mike Koneski]

Harold, a full X-Stream in the short shells even with the 16 short wads will prevent a good crimp. I found cutting them in half still makes a good, effective spreader load.

[Ronald Scott]

Hey John, how's it going? Check out www.16ga.com -- lots of good info.

I shoot a 16 gauge Damascus Parker GH and have used the following load a lot for both clays and live birds:

16.3 grs of Unique under 7/8 oz of #8s

I'm using new pre-primed Fiocchi hulls trimmed to 2 1/2” and Ballistic Products "Sporting 16" wads loaded on a PW 375

According to published data this loads runs at 7800 psi

[Mike Koneski]

Ron, are you shooting 2 1/2" or 2 3/4" shells with that load?

[Ronald Scott]

Ron, are you shooting 2 1/2" or 2 3/4" shells with that load?

Thanks for picking up on that — 2 1/2” — I’ll edit my post

[Ronald Scott]

BTW — I’ve also used that same load in 2 3/4” hulls by adding 3 dried beans in with the shot but I found it is easier just to trim the hulls.

[Mike Koneski]

Thanks Ron. That is a nice load for the short 16. I'm finding that some loads that called for 7625 or PB do nicely with Unique. Not the same powder charges, but it seems to be adaptable to some point. I have a 10g load that used to be for 7625 but uses Unique too. I'm liking it.

[Harold Lee Pickens]

Mike, trying your 16ga spreader load out using the 1/2 X-stream spreader. Using my low pressure load using Universal. Tried a whole X, but yeah, unable to crimp.
Is your range still open? The ones in this part of Pa are closed.