Reloading - How to get started?

[J. A. EARLY]

The adjustable charge bars are a bargain because one bar will do everything you need. Of course that means having a powder scale to make sure you drop the correct amount, but one needs to do that anyway.

Secondly, you need a $10 food scale from China-mart to make sure you are dropping 1.25 ounces instead of 1.125 or 1.375. It works well in dialing in the right amount of shot.

Every different size shot drops a different charge weight from the same bushing or setting on the adjustable bar, so the adjustable bar lets you dial it in.

[J.B. Books]

Originally Posted by Jerry Harlow

The adjustable charge bars are a bargain because one bar will do everything you need. Of course that means having a powder scale to make sure you drop the correct amount, but one needs to do that anyway.

Secondly, you need a $10 food scale from China-mart to make sure you are dropping 1.25 ounces instead of 1.125 or 1.375. It works well in dialing in the right amount of shot.

Every different size shot drops a different charge weight from the same bushing or setting on the adjustable bar, so the adjustable bar lets you dial it in.

I believe it is best for the beginning reloader to learn the basics and simply use the standard MEC bars and bushings. Shotguns are not like rifles where accuracy and pressures are changed by incredibly small changes. A grain or two less of powder and a 1/16 of an ounce less of shot is immaterial when it comes to shotgunning. Getting good crimps and reliable safe loads is goal #1. As one becomes comfortable and proficient with the process one can choose to focus on the finer details of shotgun reloading. It is a learning process but the novice reloader will never go wrong using the MEC bars, bushings and follow the information in their bushing chart.

[J. A. EARLY]

Originally Posted by Pete Lester

I believe it is best for the beginning reloader to learn the basics and simply use the standard MEC bars and bushings. Shotguns are not like rifles where accuracy and pressures are changed by incredibly small changes. A grain or two less of powder and a 1/16 of an ounce less of shot is immaterial when it comes to shotgunning. Getting good crimps and reliable safe loads is goal #1. As one becomes comfortable and proficient with the process one can choose to focus on the finer details of shotgun reloading. It is a learning process but the novice reloader will never go wrong using the MEC bars, bushings and follow the information in their bushing chart.

Pete and Mills,

My comments about an adjustable charge bar, scales, and cheap scale to measure the shot payloads were based upon the thread indicating we were talking about reloading the short ten, as it was indicated the expensiveness of RST 10 loads. I would not load for the short 10 without making sure everything was correct, since we were talking about composite barreled 10 GA Parkers in most cases.

I agree if we are talking about producing lots of 12 GA target loads to learn how to do it, you can get by with a fixed shot charge bar and the three bushings that usually come with the loader. That is what the thread is about now since a purchase of a loader has been made. As noted, the charges are usually light on both ends, with the standard 1 1/8 oz. bar dropping about 1 1/16 for me, and the powder bushings being up to a couple of grains light as well.