2 1/2 on a Ponsness Warren
 

Standard advice seems to be use a MEC 600 set up for short shells, my loading bench is crowded already, like to avoid separate presses. I load on a PW-375. PW dies index flush with finished shell length.

Seems to me you could load 2 ½ shells with folded crimps on a 375 by turning down the sizing die to suit the shorter finished shell length. Set the Pre Crimp and Crimp station to suit the shorter case. Simple spacer inside the a separate tool head to make the crimp dies protrude further. Size prime and charge dies would not need any changes. Wad seating stop has lots of travel.

Advantage would be quick change from 2 ¾ inch shells and no need to set up a separate press.

Anybody ever try it?

William

No, I haven't tried it, but I have been loading on my 375 since the year they started making them, and there isn't much you can't do with them. I believe I bought mine when I was still in high school, now I'm 68.

If you feel you need 2 1/2 inch cartridges, then by all means find a way to make them.

However, I've shot tens of thousands of standard 2 3/4 inch cartridges in a host of Parker, Fox, and English 2 1/2 inch chamber guns for over three decades with absolutely no ill effects on the gun or the cases. All velocity under 1200 fps.

But if you feel you need 2 1/2, make them up!

Call the folks at PW they will make up a short size die to any specification you want. You can make adjustments to the die head to accommodate the shorter shell case length. There contact information is on their web site.

You can shoot 2 3/4 in 2 1/2 and I do.

Will give PW a call tomorrow. They list long dies same principal applies to short I guess. I can chuck one up and turn it down in no time too. Just wanted to see if there was any short shell PW experience out there.

William

I have to admit that I see no need to load 2 1/2" shells. I probably have a dozen or more light 16s that have thrived on light 2 3/4" loads for fifty years. Many of them have 2 1/2" chambers.

Bill from a functional standpoint you are probably correct. The difference in chamber pressure using modern plastic shells is minimal, about 400 psi, but I remain a bit of a purist when it comes to my old guns shooting the loads that they were designed for. Hec I generally shoot paper shells and roll crimp both paper and plastic shells. To each his own I guess.

I spoke to PW Yesterday, they do alter sizing dies for 2 1/2 inch shells for a small extra charge. This only works on the single station 375's,not recomended for progressives. 3/16 inch difference in the pre crimp and crimp dies can be taken up with the dies adjustment.

Did not ask about roll crimping in the 375. Thats another puzzle to solve later.

William

I don't think there is any way to do a roll crimp using a PW 375. There is a process using what is called a Hartin crimp where by you trim the hull to 2 1/2 (I prefer 2 9/16th) inches run through the normal loading process until you get to the crimp start station. You then put an over shot card on top of the shot, crimp start and crimp in the normal fashion. The end product is a short shell with a partial star crimp with the shot being retained by the overshot card. I personally don't use this process opting for the traditional roll crimp. Do a search on 16ga.com reloading forum and as I remember there are photos posted of the final product.

Agree it looks to be difficult if not impossable. PW's trademark is shell fully supported by the die, which makes it impossable to get at it to roll crimp. I guess you could cut a PW die short take the die and shell out after charging roll crimp in a drill press then put it back in the press to eject.

Lot of trouble be better to use a Mec.

William