Starting to load 12 ga shotshell

kbracey

kbracey

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I picked up an old single stage MEC 12 gauge shotshell reloader at the Belleville gunshow a little while ago and thought I'd try my hand a loading some 12 gauge shotshells. I know it probably won't save me any money but I'd like to do it just for the fun of it and because I can!
I'm looking for any suggestions on a good load recipe that some of you reloaders might already be using. I don't shoot trap or skeet and I'm not looking for hunting loads...just some target loads for playing around at the range. I can load steel shot but for my purposes lead shot will suffice just fine. I have charge bars for 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 lead shot so I think I'll start with 1 1/8oz 7 1/2 shot (I assume this is probably the cheapest??).
Anybody got a recipe that works well for them? I have no idea what powder to try or if I should consider different shot? I can find many loads out there but I really have no idea what to try first.

Thanks :shotgun:
 
Well for powders you can use Green Dot, or Red Dot, or IMR 700X.
A bag of shot is going to run you around $50,00. PM your address and I'll send you some perfect old Win AA hulls to use and some 1 1/8th oz wads.
You will have buy some 209 primers as well. FS
 
With all due respect I'm afraid I'm having a little difficulty with your initial post.

"If you belong to a shooting club or range, why not ask one of the guys there to show you the ropes (there must be a few guys you know that reload?) I would think the best way to learn is by personal instruction."


Your words from another thread. Again....with all due respect....perhaps something you may like to try as well. Whether you know the guys or not....anyone there who reloads would be more than happy to help you along. All you need to do is ask.


"I don't shoot trap or skeet and I'm not looking for hunting loads"


"just some target loads for playing around at the range."

If you don't shoot trap or skeet...what kind of targets at what range are you talking about?

You might want to consider visiting the Kingston Skeet Club if you haven't already and talking with guys there who load.

Promo powder has been the powder of choice for many for quite some time now....it's been the cheapest available for a while and works very well.

You can start out with those charge bars you have but if you intend to keep loading just for "playing around".....with the price of lead shot these days....you may want to consider getting other charge bars for that thing and dropping to 1 oz or even 7/8 oz loads.

Have you got a scale? If not that should be the next thing you buy before going any farther.

What powder bushings do you have?

Do you have any hulls yet? Any wads? Primers? Or do you have nothing yet but the loader itself?

Without knowing what you may have available to you in the way of hulls and other components...many of us could rattle off all sorts of different combinations here but would that be helpful or confusing?

If you're just starting out and haven't done it before....you might also be wise to buy yourself a Lyman's Manual as well and do some reading up on the subject. It also has many recipes to choose from.

Go to the Alliant Powder website....there are all sorts of different combinations listed there for 1 1/8 oz loads you can choose from. Pick your poison....but do it safely. I'd suggest you do some homework first....talk with some people at a Club who load.....and do not deviate from published loads.
 
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kbracey said:
I picked up an old single stage MEC 12 gauge shotshell reloader at the Belleville gunshow a little while ago and thought I'd try my hand a loading some 12 gauge shotshells. I know it probably won't save me any money but I'd like to do it just for the fun of it and because I can!
I'm looking for any suggestions on a good load recipe that some of you reloaders might already be using. I don't shoot trap or skeet and I'm not looking for hunting loads...just some target loads for playing around at the range. I can load steel shot but for my purposes lead shot will suffice just fine. I have charge bars for 1 1/8 and 1 1/4 lead shot so I think I'll start with 1 1/8oz 7 1/2 shot (I assume this is probably the cheapest??).
Anybody got a recipe that works well for them? I have no idea what powder to try or if I should consider different shot? I can find many loads out there but I really have no idea what to try first.

Thanks :shotgun:
Click to expand...
Well, if Fassteel is sending you some AA wads and hulls, 700X will be fine, as will red dot.
If you phone Andrew or Tom at Higginson's, they can sell you the powder and a nice little hand book of data.
The Lyman book would be a better choice however, since you will need to know how to set you Mec up.
Best thing to do is get to a club and find someone to help you get started.
Cat
 
Thanks for the replys guys,

Neera, you're right, I should practice what I preach... and I have asked a few guys at the club what they load. I'm just looking for all the info I can get.

I shoot at the Kingston Rifle and Pistol club and I am not interested in playing Skeet or trap right now. I just go out to the bunker range and plink (if you can plink with a shotgun??) for now. The trap and Skeet club is one road over and one day I may wander over and have a talk with the guys and see what's so great with trap and skeet and maybe try my hand at it but I'm not into competition.

I've been to the different powder websites and seen all the loads but what the powder websites don't tell you is what loads they like best or what has worked well for them in the past...something that only experienced Gunnutz can convey.

Thanks Fassteel...PM inbound.

Looks like I'll try some 700X or Reddot to start then (if Higgonsons has some in stock...I'll have to wait a week or so before I can get up there...I don't wanna have to pay hazmat shipping and I need primers too anyway)
 
X2 on the Lyman Shotshell manual. It's a great resource with step-by-step instructions on how to reload and a variety of good recipies.

As for which load works best no two shotguns are alike and what works for you might not for someone else. Select a load based on the components and equipment you have. I'd suggest starting with a 1-1/8 ounce load that is in the 1,150 to 1,200 fps range.
 
My personal opinion is that you would still be far better served coming to the Shotgun Club first. Guys order their reloading supplies from Irv's Shooting Supplies in Oshawa....more than one from the rifle club has come over and ordered and picked up stuff.

"and I have asked a few guys at the club what they load. I'm just looking for all the info I can get."

You mean guys at the Shotgun Club? Or the Rifle Club?

"The trap and Skeet club is one road over and one day I may wander over and have a talk with the guys and see what's so great with trap and skeet and maybe try my hand at it but I'm not into competition."

Clay target shooting can be a very enjoyable recreation sport. No need to worry about not being into competition. Very few around the shotgun club shoot competition.....the vast majority are simply rec shooters on Sunday and Wednesday.

No disrespect intended certainly to any rifle shooters but I think shotgunners who reload and shoot 10's of thousands of rounds per year would be a very good source of info for you. Drop in on a Sunday when the largest crowds are there....have a sausage and drink for lunch...and talk to some of the guys. Anyone there who loads would be happy to chat with you and try to help.

The most popular load around the Shotgun Club is likely Promo powder...Cheddite primers...Claybuster Wads......in Winchester or Remington hulls.

If economics is a concern at all...this is likely the least expensive.....and most popular combination you'll find around the Kingston Club.

Since you're from the rifle club I presume you already have a scale and appreciate the importance of it.

You didn't mention what powder bushings you have. You may or may not have the right ones for the powders you're contemplating.

Afraid there's a little more to it than simply deciding to "try some 700X or Reddot to start " and having at it.

Nice offer from Faststeel. I'm sure though someone around the Kingston Club could save him the postage and get you started with a bit of stuff to play with. However...that's between you two.

Claybuster...you are absolutely 100% correct. But I'm afraid at this stage of this gentleman's game...or reloading career:

"I just go out to the bunker range and plink (if you can plink with a shotgun??) for now."

...I think he's still a very long way from worrying about velocities or optimum loads or any other sort of optimum performance concerns....he must be "plinking" around at stationary targets I guess......still not enough info..."shrug".

With today's crazy costs...and considering what he wants to do....if it were I.....I would be focusing on the most economical reloading I could possibly do. But then again...if he just wants to "plink"...then maybe cost won't be an issue.....unlike for those of us who shoot 10's or thousands of rounds per year.

Come visit the shotgunners locally and have a chat. More than one rifle club member has left their ranks and joined the shotgunning fraternity. Try it....you may like it.
 
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Neera said:
My personal opinion is that you would still be far better served coming to the Shotgun Club first. Guys order their reloading supplies from Irv's Shooting Supplies in Oshawa....more than one from the rifle club has come over and ordered and picked up stuff.

The most popular load around there is likely Promo powder...Cheddite primers...Claybuster Wads......in Winchester or Remington hulls.

If economics is a concern at all...this is likely the least expensive.....and most popular combination you'll find around the Kingston Club.

Since you're from the rifle club I presume you already have a scale and appreciate the importance of it.

You didn't mention what powder bushings you have. You may or may not have the right ones for the powders you're contemplating.

Afraid there's a little more to it than simply deciding to "try some 700X or Reddot to start " and having at it.

Come visit the shotgunners locally and have a chat. More than one rifle club member has left their ranks and joined the shotgunning fraternity. Try it....you may like it.
Click to expand...

Sorry, here's a bit more info...

I already reload pistol and have been for a while now so I'm not new to the reloading concept. I do have a scale. I do not have all the powder bushings, however I understand that I will have to get the correct ones I will need once I determine which ones I need...I may already have the one I may need and will not have to purchase others. I also understand the importance of using the correct load and components. There are many shotgunners at KR&PC that can help me out if need be and I agree that probably the best source of info is the Shotgun club. I have purchased supplies from Irv's before but I am more familiar with Higgonsons and I guess it's easier to go with the more familiar.

I jumped in at the 700x and Red Dot because this recommendation was made to me by another member at the club so when it was re-itterated by a Gunnutz member it became apparent that this type of powder must be popular. I have never heard of 'Promo' powder before.

Are you from around Kingston yourself? I would be interested in speaking more with you about this...Maybe I should stop by the Shotgun club this weekend.

Thanks
 
Promo is a more recent powder and less expensive. I haven't used it. Red Dot and 700X have been around for decades and are both good powders.

Just a note about the bushings. The various bushing charts are only approximations. Weigh your powder charges to determine what is actually going into the hull.
 
Promo is an Alliant brand bulk powder( available in 8 pound jugs only ... about enough for 3000 reloads, depending on your load recipe ) ... very similar to Red Dot, but denser. Alliant recommends you use the Red Dot load charts, but NOT the bushing charts ... generally a bushing 2 sizes under that for Red Dot throws the same weight of Promo !

As with any bushing set-up, you will need an accurate scale to verify your powder load weights thrown by your set-up.
 
kbracey said:
the powder websites don't tell you is what loads they like best or what has worked well for them in the past...something that only experienced Gunnutz can convey.

Thanks Fassteel...PM inbound.

Looks like I'll try some 700X or Reddot to start then (if Higgonsons has some in stock...I'll have to wait a week or so before I can get up there...I don't wanna have to pay hazmat shipping and I need primers too anyway)
Click to expand...
Higginson's handles IMR powders and Hodgdon, so youu can get 700X, PB,, Longshot, universal, etc, but NOT red dot, green dot, etc.
They are Alliant powders.
However, that being the case, you will find lots odf comapataible pwder there for want you want.
X2 on checking the bushings on a scale!
Cat
 
reloading 12 ga.

First, make em as cheap as possible, Lead is expensive enough don't use steel, you gun might not like it and some ranges don't like it and it costs more.
Hodgdons Clays works well and keeps the guns cleaner, Green dot works well, i've found it has less recoil than some others like 700 X and after a 150-200 rds. in a morning session you might start to like it too.

Chedite primers work quite well and are usually cheaper too. What ever load I use I make sure the speed is around 1180 fps. This keeps me in the same speed range as the cheap winchesters that I sometimes buy, you don't want a load that is alot faster or slower than what you might sometimes buy as this means you have to adjust your lead time on hitting the birds and it's a pain in the butt.

I use an adjustable charge bar, they're fairly cheap now and fairly easy to find, that way i don't worry about what insert to use or where I put it down last time.

For loads you can check the Hodgdons site / book or Lyman has some as well as previously mentioned. Ask a few guys at the range to try a few of their reloads see what you like and copy if if you want.

Make sure your gun fits you properly or its alot harder to hit the birds, your thinking of what your doing instead of staring at the birds.

M.
 
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