Reloading 2.5 inch 12 & 20 gauge low pressure

[Kurt Otterstein]

I’m new to reloading 2.5 inch, low pressure shotgun shells. Years ago I loaded 2 3/4s field loads with my dad. Now I am starting from scratch. I am getting ready to reload 20 and 12 gauge 2.5 inch shot gun shells . Can anyone help me find:
—Rellader: I was looking at getting a Mec 600 jr w/ the short kit
—wads? I am reloading gamebore hulls-they use a fiber wad when new, but there has to be a plastic equivalent
—primers? I saw someone suggests the Federal 209?
—powder?
—what ounce load of shot can I use? Knew the shells were 1 oz for the 12 and 7/8 oz for the 20. I would like to load 1 oz for the 20 and 1 1/8 for the 12
Does anyone have any ideas? I need to shoot low pressure for old German guns

[Dean Romig]

The powder companies publish load data and you should most definitely adhere to the loads recommended by the manufacturer of the powder you are using.





.

[edgarspencer]

Federal primers are a little hot for low pressure loads. Winchester 209, or Cheddite primers are more than satisfactory.
If you are loading for clay shooting, you don't need any more than 3/4oz in 20ga, and 7/8 to 1oz in 12 gauge loads.
Only because I have it, I've been using PB for both, for over 50 years. To stretch my remaining supply, I've switched to 20/28 in 20 gauge. I haven't been shooting 12 for quite some time, but you may find Longshot a good choice.

[Jay Oliver]

Red Dot is a great powder for 12 gsuge low pressure loads as well.

[Mike Koneski]

I load Greed Dot in 20g and Clays in 12g. Plenty of available powders to choose from for both 12 and 20. Gualandi wads from BP are excellent for the short shells. You can use nitro cards, fiber wads, etc, but the short wads are easy. You can load spreaders too with BP Brush Wads for the 20g. Good stuff.

Unless your gun is chambered to only shoot 2 1/2" shells, there's no reason not to shoot reduced power 2 3/4" 20g or 12g shells. If the barrel walls are safe, chambers are correct, you can keep the shells in the range that Edgar described, 1 oz to 7/8 oz at 1160-1180 FPS for 12g and 3/4 oz to 7/8 oz 1160-1200 FPS 20g. You can load slower, but try a few first. Sometimes the slower loads don't achieve a full burn and leave the bores rather dirty.

[Kurt Otterstein]

What’s better Red Dot or Green Dot in for low pressure 1 oz 12 gauge 2.5 inch chambers and 7/8s 20 gauge 2.5 inch chamber? Also BP plastic wads the easiest wads in a Mec 600 Jr w/ the short kit?
Thanks everyone ��
Kurt

[Mike Koneski]

Powder is subjective. Use whatever you have on hand and have load data. BP short wads are the easiest.

[Kurt Otterstein]

I have not bought any powder yet, after my dad’s estate was sold, all of his reloading equipment went with it. I am buying everything, so what does everyone recommend?

[Keith Doty]

Kurt, Edgar's recommendation on the Longshot is spot on. I have gone to it for low pressure loads in 10, 16, and 20 gauge. It is readily available, comparatively cheap and works great. Recommend Cheddite primers, they are readily available and work well in low pressure loads. Go to Ballistic Products for wads and other supplies, they have one of the better inventories right now. Precision Reloading is also a very good source. I have a number of tested low pressure loads for 12 and 20 low pressure I'm glad to share. As always, shared loads are at your own risk as the source has no control over anything!
A WORD OF CAUTION: Substituting components in shotshell loads can radically change pressures. Just because wads, hulls, and other supplies may appear identical, don't count on it, results may be BAD!! Recommend sticking to published loads or loads tested by reputable outfits.

[Kurt Otterstein]

Edger what powder is that you use and where can I get in my friend?

[Kurt Otterstein]

Question I called BP and they gave me a 12 gauge recipe that has 9500 as pressure goes w a fold crimp. Is this low enough for older pre- ww2 2.5 inch 12 gauge everyone?

[Mike Koneski]

Get their Advantages reloading manual. Thousands of recipes for all lengths, powders, wads, etc

Most issues guys have with gun/shell combinations is related to the old wood. Dried out or oil soaked stock heads are prime for breaking/splitting/cracking with snotty game loads. If you keep the shot charge light and FOS under 1200 and the barrels are sound, you should have no problems. Have someone that is familiar with vintage doubles look the gun over.

[Mike Koneski]

I’ll use these recipes and load 1 oz or 7/8 oz.

[Mike Koneski]

Take a look…

[Kingston Wulff]

I am also loading 2.5 in. 12ga. BP rounds. I will write tomorrow once i dig out the reloading specs. they are available through Track of the Wolf with brass hulls. Great results on ducks BTW.

[Keith Doty]

Longshot 20 ga. tested at Precision, my "go to" for doves and quail. Unfortunately this 12 ga. load is with International which is near impossible to get now, I shoot it in my Damascus guns. Have some 16 ga. and 10 ga. with Longshot as well if interested.

[Mike Koneski]

I am also loading 2.5 in. 12ga. BP rounds. I will write tomorrow once i dig out the reloading specs. they are available through Track of the Wolf with brass hulls. Great results on ducks BTW.

Kingston, he’s asking about substitutes for PB loads, a discontinued IMR and Hodgdon powder, not BP (black powder) loads.