10 Gauge Shotshell reloading

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bubba300

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I have a few questions about reloading for a old model 1901 winchester 10 gauge.I read that you can put tungsten shot threw old barrels and it does not cause damage.I would like to use it for the odd goose hunt.I reload for rifle and pistol but don't have a clue about shotshell reloading.
Does anyone know of anyone who makes factory shot shells in 10 gauge 2 3\4 in tungsten.
Can you get tungsten shot easely or is it hard to find.
Can you get wads and reloading stuff for the 10 gauge.
Does a shotshell press work for all gauges.
Bin thinking about trying shotshell reloading but wondering if it would be worth it.I do have a fair bit of lead shells,and fired cases for it but can't use them for waterfowl.
I don't want to ream it if I don't have to.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
 
Expensive stuff that Tungsten. Runs $80US a kilo. Or $40US/lb. Bulk Chinese W runs $60 per kilo with a 10Kg minimum.
Shooter's Choice in Waterloo, Ontario(if you're not in Ontario buying ammo on-line is expensive) apparently has or had Kent ammo. Epp's is a Kent dealer too.
Go here for info. There's squat on the reloading link though. Add the W's. .ecotungsten.com/shots.html
 
Tungsten shot is safe in old barrels that can't handle steel shot (assuming the shotgun is in good enough condition to fire safely).
I've seen 10ga Tungsten around but don't recall the manufacturer. Federal maybe? They were 3-1/2" though; it's the only length of 10ga I've ever seen in factory ammo.
Tungsten shot is usually special order but most places can bring it in. It's very expensive though.
10ga wads and components are around. Not as common as 12ga but not too difficult to find. I'm not sure on 10ga components specific to tungsten though.

A shotshell press is gauge and often length specific. The replacement parts to convert a press to a different gauge is usually around the same cost as a new press. You can find used presses all over. The most common one is usually a MEC 600jr. They go for $250ish new but I bought one for .410 2-1/2" for $100 in near new condition; guy threw in almost 500 wads and around 250 once-fired hulls. I can use it for 3" if I'm careful but it isn't designed for it. I think there might be an inexpensive spacer components to convert for length but I'm not sure.

Ballistic Products Inc. in the US should be able to meet all your reloading needs. They don't ship to Canada but their Canadian distributor is Bilozir Fine Guns.
They sell ITX shot which is a tungsten based non-toxic shot. Stuff goes for US$20/lbs and who knows how much in shipping.
 
Bismuth shot is also safe to use in older shotguns. Use it in a 1923 vintage double, fairly regularly. No problems. I believe Wil Bilozir may be able to help you out there, too. Ballistics Products will be your best source for components. Too bad you can't order factory direct and shipped anymore.
 
Beware! Not all tungsten shot is safe in old barrels!!! Tungsten-matrix is a lead shot substitute, and behaves like lead in all resects. Tungsten-Iron shot is far harder than lead, even harder than steel, and will cause problems for guns not proofed for steel.
10 ga. loads were not normally made in 2-3/4" to my knowledge, and I believe that 2-7/8" was standard "short" shell in that gauge 3-1/2" for the long magnums.
A shotgun press may be ordered with dies set up for 10 ga, but if you want to use if for another gauge it is a PITA to switch most of them. A cheap dedicated press like the MEC is the answer. The exception is the Ponsness-Warren single stage press. dies go in a "turret" that can be changed easily.
 
Longwalker said:
Beware! Not all tungsten shot is safe in old barrels!!! Tungsten-matrix is a lead shot substitute, and behaves like lead in all resects. Tungsten-Iron shot is far harder than lead, even harder than steel, and will cause problems for guns not proofed for steel.
10 ga. loads were not normally made in 2-3/4" to my knowledge, and I believe that 2-7/8" was standard "short" shell in that gauge 3-1/2" for the long magnums.
A shotgun press may be ordered with dies set up for 10 ga, but if you want to use if for another gauge it is a PITA to switch most of them. A cheap dedicated press like the MEC is the answer. The exception is the Ponsness-Warren single stage press. dies go in a "turret" that can be changed easily.
Click to expand...

That's the way I see it too ! Tungsten/Matrix or Bismuth.
 
Also depends on how many rounds you are going to use. The odd goose hunt or a few boxes a year it is not worth the investment getting set up for reloading 10ga. Even at the prices of buying factory non toxic rounds
Cheers
 
For shooting upland game like grouse or pheasants, there are several low pressure smokeless loads you can use that will not harm your 1901.
if you need to use Non toxic shot in your area for this, load either Bismuth , Nice Shot, or ITX.
My huting partner and I shoot several vintage ten gauge guns, not only for upland but for waterfowl as well, however when shooting geese and ducks I stick to black powder and the aforementioned non toxic shot.
loading ten gauge ammo by hand is slower than with a press , but it can be done easily with a bare minimum of tools.

Assuming you are going to use new primed federal hulls, you need a good set of shears or a saw to cut them to length first ( your 1901 will not have 3 1/2" chambers)

Then you need a scale for your powder and a measure- Lee scopes work super if they are used correctly.

You will need the proper wads- either fibre wads or plastic, depending on the data you are using.

You will also need thin overshot wads for on top of the shot , and a roll crimping tool that will fit in a cordless drill.
All these components and the roll crimping tool are available through Will Bilozir and other dealers, Ellwood Epps being one.

Feel free to PM me for details on loading that big ten with safe loads that will harm only the bird, NOT the gun or the shooter!
Cat
 
Cat do you know if any one even stocks the RST non tox shells in canada. Maybe I spoke too soon and factory is not an option up here
Also what about Hevi-Shot Classic Doubles know they make 12ga but not sure on 10ga
Cheers
 
3macs1 said:
Cat do you know if any one even stocks the RST non tox shells in canada. Maybe I spoke too soon and factory is not an option up here
Also what about Hevi-Shot Classic Doubles know they make 12ga but not sure on 10ga
Cheers
Click to expand...
Prophet River stocks RST, and I'm pretty sure Epps could bri8ng it in as well, but the stuff is not cheap.
I'm not sure of the pressure ceiling on the Classic doubles stuff, but I always thought it was for vintage guns that were smokeless proofed but needed to shoot non tox for waterfowl.
I have shot it , but it was quite some ti9me ago, and it was in a newer SXS, not a Damascus gun.
Cat
 
catnthehatt said:
Prophet River stocks RST, and I'm pretty sure Epps could bri8ng it in as well, but the stuff is not cheap.
I'm not sure of the pressure ceiling on the Classic doubles stuff, but I always thought it was for vintage guns that were smokeless proofed but needed to shoot non tox for waterfowl.
I have shot it , but it was quite some ti9me ago, and it was in a newer SXS, not a Damascus gun.
Cat
Click to expand...

Thank you Cat for the information :)
Kind Regards
 
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