2 1/2 low pressure reloads

[ch]

Get on ballistic products e-mail list they have good shipping rates quit often just under 5 dollars.

[James L. Martin]

Does anyone reload the 12ga 2 1/2 paper rst hulls? I have been hunting with them in #7 shot and am very happy with the results.Paper shells and a damascus DH just go together.

[Brent Francis]

I just loaded up some two and a half inch polywads with the recipe on this thread. After some experimentation on getting the right hight to prop up the last crimping steps on my MEC Jr. I ended up glueing three pennies to put under the hull at the last station. And 2quarters and two dimes under the crimp starter station. They loaded nicely and I shot a round of skeet through my old Trojan. They shot nicely too.

[Steve Havener]

I solved the problem of not finding adequate data for short (2 9/16th inch) shells for my short cambered 16gauge guns by trimming 2 3/4 inch hulls to the short length and using a roll crimp. You can use the same load data published for 2 3/4 inch folded crimp shells because the interior volume is very close to the same between the folded crimp 2 3/4 inch hull and the 2 5/8th inch hull with a rolled crimp (which was the old standard for 12 gauge shells). Besides roll crimps either in paper (Federal) or plastic are so cool and using the the Federal paper you have the advantage of that great smell that cannot be duplicated by plastic shells. I use vintage roll crimp tools picked up on eBay cheap, in 12 gauge anyway which adds to the fun of loading. Circle Fly sells over shot cards and if you want to go completely retro they also sell fiber cushion and fiber nitro cards. The early Lyman reloading books have several nice low pressure 1 1/8th ounce loads in 12 gauge using SR 7625.

[Paul Harm]

Brent - just put a piece of wood or steel under the piece of sheet metal that holds the shell for the start and final crimp station. Pull up the spring and you can slide the sheet metal out and glue something under it. If you're loading a shell a 1/2" shorter, that's the thickness of shim you'll need. Mec sells a spacer for shorter shells for about $25 - you can make your own cheaper. You can also adjust the whole machine down with the bolt going through the main shaft. There's two holes in the shaft and two holes in the base - find what works for you. Paul