New Powders and Primers on the Horizon

[Garth Gustafson]

So if RST can't get low pressure powder, how am I able to get it?

[Craig Larter]

My son reloads for his 16ga Parker and Sterlingworth. Cheddite (RST) hulls 3/4 oz with longshot and cheddite primers. Claybuster makes a 3/4oz wad for 16ga. A used MEC 600jr and your in business.

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Craig Larter

If you enjoy shooting vintage shotguns in the obsolete gauges, 8ga, 10ga or 16ga, reloading is the only option. Try to find 3/4oz or 7/8oz 1150fps 12ga loads commercially. Try to find a 1 1/8oz bismuth low pressure load for your Parker duck gun. Reloading is easy and gives you a feeling of satisfaction when you dust a clay or drop a bird with your home rolled.

The real savings are in the 28 and .410.

[Double Lab]

Originally Posted by Garth Gustafson

So if RST can't get low pressure powder, how am I able to get it?

It's not that difficult Garth. You're not loading thousands of rounds for sale hoping to make a profit. The components are out there and it's quite relaxing.

[Aaron Beck]

Longshot is still easily sourced and works in a variety of gauges and loads. The other components are pretty available to mail order. You can find a used reloader for less than the cost of a case of ...

[matt koepnick]

Ya, the 28 cost savings was the main reason I got into shot shell reloading years ago. Of course an "expensive" case back the was close to 50 bucks.. Took a little while, but once I worked out the crimp bugs on the 28, I quickly jumped onto the MEC JR bandwagon and my 16, and 12 loads all fell into place relatively easy.
As I'm older these days, I'm especially glad to get to reload my low pressure 7/8 and
1 OZ 12's which are soft shooting in Liteweight 12 Bores.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Craig Larter

If you enjoy shooting vintage shotguns in the obsolete gauges, 8ga, 10ga or 16ga, reloading is the only option. Try to find 3/4oz or 7/8oz 1150fps 12ga loads commercially. Try to find a 1 1/8oz bismuth low pressure load for your Parker duck gun. Reloading is easy and gives you a feeling of satisfaction when you dust a clay or drop a bird with your home rolled.

By no means am I knocking anyone for loading the lighter 16 loads but for years I shot plain old Winchester Dove and Quail 1 ounce promotional loads in a circa 1916 GH 16 gauge Damascus I had . My loading now is pretty much 8 and 10 only .

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by matt koepnick

Ya, the 28 cost savings was the main reason I got into shot shell reloading years ago. Of course an "expensive" case back the was close to 50 bucks.. Took a little while, but once I worked out the crimp bugs on the 28, I quickly jumped onto the MEC JR bandwagon and my 16, and 12 loads all fell into place relatively easy.

When I first started loading for shotguns back in the mid 80’s I think I could load a box of 410’s for $1.50 , 28’s a dollar more , 20’s about the same and 12’s for less than $3 . A big part of getting better component prices was BUY IN QUANTITY which is a practice I’ve pretty much followed my entire reloading career .

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Garth Gustafson

So if RST can't get low pressure powder, how am I able to get it?

RSTShotshells are good people but I have wondered for a very long time what is holding them back to the extent of their shortage.

It's easier to get low pressures with larger bores and part of the trick to getting low pressure is lighter shot charges and lower velocities.

Perfect Pattern is a widely available powder so is Longshot and Win 572 along with Cheddite primers.

6600 psi at 1200 fps with 7/8 in 12ga using PP powder, Ched primer and Rem Gun Club hull.

7500 psi at 1150 fps with 7/8 in 20ga using Winchester 572, Ched primer and Federal hull. Use 3/4 ounce and pressure goes down and fps goes up.

[Stan Hillis]

Originally Posted by Daryl Corona

The real savings are in the 28 and .410.

Indeed, and in addition you can create loads that are not available for sale anywhere. For example, I created a 3" .410 load for doves and quail that holds .73 oz. of nickel plated lead. The closest thing to it on the market is Winchester's 3/4 oz. lead loads. In testing over the last three years I find the nickel plated shot loads kill "deader" than the Winchester plain lead load . . . i.e., less cripples, more dishrag hits.

I roll crimp them in Cheddite 3" hulls, with Cheddite primers. The cost savings over the standard Winchester loads are huge. And, they debunk the theory that long shot column loads don't pattern well. Patterns are excellent.