16 Gauge Shells

[John Bamonte]

Thank you William. I noted on the Hodgdon web site 1 oz loads are listed under 2 3/4” shells only, and there are a few lower pressure recipes there also.

My VH 16 gauge, has 2 3/4” chambers so I could go either way. However, it would be a bit more convenient to have low pressure recipes for all three shot weights (1, 7/8, 3/4) in one hull length, either 2 1/2” or 2 3/4”.

Thank you again for the reply. I am new to 16 gauge and just trying to find my way.
John

[William Davis]

Thing about the 2 3/4 cheddites is they need fillers to load 3/4 & 7/8. You read recipes that say they will handle lighter shot loads but I gave it up as a lost cause. Too many leaking crimps. 1 oz they load fine. I found it easier to stick with the 2 1/2 inch shells . 12 g I load 7/8 & 1 oz. so no need to go to an once in my 16s anyway.

Hodgdons 3/4 data produces near exact duplicate of RST 3/4 . I buy RST shoot and save the hulls for later loading.

William

[John Bamonte]

William - thank you again for all of the advice. Nothing like experience to draw on!

John

[John Bamonte]

William - one follow-up question. Have you loaded 1 oz in the 2 1/2 inch shells?

John

[William Davis]

I have not loaded 1 oz in the 2 3/4 inch hulls. It was hard for me to give up on 2 3/4, Ponsness Warren all set up for 20 & 16 G 2 3/4. Now loading 2 1/2 on a Mec 600 with the short kit. However if I wanted 3/4 & 7/8 it was the right choice.

Looking at Hodgdons site they only list 1 oz for 2 3/4 Cheddites 3/4 & 7/8 for the shorter shells.

Before Hodgdon published recent data 16 G shooters used all sorts of tricks to light load long cases successfully . Most using fillers of some sort. Fillers work well that’s how I load short 10 with thanks to guys on this forum. If you want to stick with 2 3/4 hulls fillers would be a good solution. My choice of 2 1/2 was due to majority if not all my 16 G shooting with 3/4 oz.

William

[Joe Graziano]

I would like to begin loading my own 2 1/2 in shells. I haven’t reloaded shells since doing so with my father many years ago on a Lee Load All. I noticed that the loaders are setup for 2 3/4 and 3 inch. For those that load 2 1/2 inch, how do you go about it? After experiencing the pleasure of shooting 2 1/2, 7/8 oz loads through a light hammergun, I will probably stick with it or 3/4 oz.

[William Davis]

Best way is buy a used 16 G 600 Jr. mine cost 50 bucks plus shipping off eBay. Then order a “short kit” from Mec. It’s just a spacer that raises the shell holder plate 1/4 inch. It’s possable to make the riser too. It’s easy to remove and load 2 3/4 same press.

Pick up once fired RST hulls or order some new primed 2 1/2 inch Cheddites from Ballistic Products. 3/4 oz best wad is Downranges DR 16 7/8 it’s BP’s 7/8 wad, both specified Hodgdons data.

My Parker 16 Hammer loves the 3/4 oz. 16 Trojan could handle heavier loads but it’s a real pleasure to shoot targets with 3/4. About the only time I use 7/8 is with the Trojan dog training on Chukkers. Bigger or wild birds would need more.

William