16g Ammo

Yes, a Lee Loadall would suffice for 200 a year. It is a bit slow, so I usually limit a session to a tray of 50.
Maybe, if you are lucky, a used 16 gauge loader will turn up. Don't forget a scale for confirming powder weights too.
Good luck with the 16 gauge addiction.
 
Last edited:
VictoryXC said:
Thanks very much. I will take you up on the offer if they are available. I am going to make this happen so I will need some hulls.
Click to expand...

Perfect! I like them loaded hot....let me know when I can pick up some freshly reloaded 16g shells. ;)

As for the Lee Loadall....be prepared to have your fill of squeaking. If it doesnt send you to the mad house, hopefully it doesnt land you in the dog house
 
I started with the Lee load all for 16. You have to be very carefull how much pressure you use to crimp and it doesn't seem to like the chedditte hull length/strength. When I decided to go all in and get something adjustable for various hulls I ordered a ponsness warren single stage press. Best decision ever if you don't mind spending a few extra bucks. Makes my Mec Jr. I use for 20 gauge look like piece of junk. Way easier to adjust and much more forgiving. If someone tries to sell you or give you the Ballistics Product 16 gauge manual, run away. It only mentions the European components they sell and also combines wads and hulls that just don't fit.
 
Too right on the Lee Loadall squeaking. Don't use it if your significant other is sleeping.

I have no trouble loading Cheddite and Fiocchi hulls on the Lee Loadall, but you have to be careful not to exert too much pressure on the final crimp stage.
The real trick is to have correct stack height for the load. The problem with much data is that the loads are not optimum fill for the case.

I have had more trouble with 16 gauge than I ever had with 12 and 20 gauge AA where everything fits near perfectly. With some 16 gauge loads I have to cheat with an overshot wad or a cheerio on the shot to support the crimp in an overcapacity case.
 
+3 for the Lee Load All, i got'em in 12,16 and 20 gauge. In time you will come to know what load and hull combination works best for you and your setup. For me, the 16ga tends to be a bit finicky to load, real temperamental little buggers always crimping funny, the only 16ga hull i have good success with is the Remington Game Load(black hull).
Unfortunately, not much published data for 16ga target loads these days in the manuals or on either Hodgdon or Alliant load page.
16ga.com is where i get my loads.
 
If you are going to do it for a while with any amount at all pic up a MEC machine
Ideally a sizemaster for the primer feed and collet resizer or a Jr with the primer tray option
There was times I reloaded a lot of 16ga so have a MEC 9000g, sizemaster and JR
Both the sizemaster and the jr were 12ga machines that I got cheap and bought the 16ga die set and converted them
Components and reloading data are not hard to find other than good hulls
I am one of the very fortunate 16ga reloaders that still have a limited stash of AA and Activ hulls for the 16ga which there are no better IMO
So much so I will not fire them out of a semi hunting so I don't lose them.
Man I wish someone would start producing the old compression formed hull for the 16ga again
Cheers
 
Last edited:
Upside of the 16 gauge Remington Game hull is that it is the only taper hull on the market, perfectly matched to the inexpensive Claybuster clone of AA16 wads. Of course, scarcer Remington wads fit perfectly too.
The downside of RG hull - they are crispy critters in no time. The plastic does not stand up well to the heat of powder burn, so I can rarely get more than 3 loadings out of them.

How I would love to find a stash of old AA16 hulls in a gun show.

Federal 16 gauge game load hulls last longer, but really need a wad for straight wall hulls, which pretty much means expensive and scarce Guilandi wads. Any shotgun loading supplies are scarce on the Prairies.
 
saskbooknut said:
Upside of the 16 gauge Remington Game hull is that it is the only taper hull on the market, perfectly matched to the inexpensive Claybuster clone of AA16 wads. Of course, scarcer Remington wads fit perfectly too.
The downside of RG hull - they are crispy critters in no time. The plastic does not stand up well to the heat of powder burn, so I can rarely get more than 3 loadings out of them.

How I would love to find a stash of old AA16 hulls in a gun show.

Federal 16 gauge game load hulls last longer, but really need a wad for straight wall hulls, which pretty much means expensive and scarce Guilandi wads. Any shotgun loading supplies are scarce on the Prairies.
Click to expand...

What a find that would be
Like a pure idiot I sold some to a member on the 16ga.com site a few years ago
I thought he was nuts when he offered me $1.00 US a hull.
Now I know it was a stupid move
There is still some out there however but you have to ask everyone I find that is how I got a batch of new 16ga Activ and wads last year. Guy was looking for some old 20ga AA which I sold him and during the conversation 16ga came up and I'll be dammed he had Activ he had no plans on using
20 cents each but worth it IMO
Does TNT gun works sell anything that is where I get my steel reloading stuff or did
Cheers
 
The Remington express hulls (green) last longer but are too expensive to buy and shoot just for the hulls. The cheddite Kent and newer Australian loaded Winchester fit best with the z16 wad and 1 1/16 ounce. the shot collar on the gualandi wads is still too short and leaves lead fouling in the bore when compared to Remington and Old Winchester or clone wads. You can't use American wads in European hulls unless you don't care about powder migrating. The Lyman and ballistic product manual have loads that use these combinations but they have obviously not tested them in real life situations or given them a shake and then held them up to a bright light to see where the powder went.
 
Thanks to all for the information. I was able to find a used 16g MEC Jr Mk V in quite good condition for a fair price. Lyman 5th Edition is on the way. Looking forward to getting started with reloading.
 
Victory, will you be loading 2-1/2" low pressure loads? I too am about to start reloading in 16-20 and 28ga...the 16 and 20 will be mainly 2-1/2" low pressure for vintage doubles.....would love to hear what you find out and if you dont mind sharing.....
 
Pointersrule said:
Thanks 3macs....check on the kit, also made a nice trimmer to cut the Hulls down
Click to expand...

If you look on 16ga .com they talk about this as well as a home made option
I only do the normal 2 3/4 so cannot help on that
Cheers

Fix the link

ht tps://www.ballisticproducts.com/MEC-Short-Kit-16ga-2-3_4-to-2-1_2-8971/productinfo/1308971/
 
Patrick, regarding need for new bottles for your MEC, I found that the thread of my MEC Jr. matches plastic pop bottles exactly. So that's what I use for shot now after one bottle for my 12 ga. reloader broke - don't know if a static spark is a realistic concern on the powder side(?). I guess I have known guys that stored powder in 2 litre pop bottles.
 
Thanks to all for the information. I was able to find a used 16g MEC Jr Mk V in quite good condition for a fair price. Lyman 5th Edition is on the way. Looking forward to getting started with reloading.
Click to expand...
Congrats VictoryXC, you won't be disappointed with the MEC and you will wounder why you didn't start reloading sooner for the 16.
 
Can I place my order now? Or do I have to wait some more. Gosh Patrick, you need some help on customer service! This has taken way too long.cou:
 
The Hodgdon site site has good information on loads. As for a scale, since you only need it to set up the press with the right bushing, choose a used scale off of the EE. Just avoid the LEE scale, as it is very finicky, and can be frustrating to use.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom