16 gauge components

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QueensHorseman

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Hi,

I'm a big 16 gauge fan and shoot an A.H. Fox sxs and a model 12 Winchester. I've been pretty happy with Federal lead #6s and Kent Bismuth #4s but even they are getting scarce at times so I'm looking to start reloading. After years of reloading for rifles and pistols, this shot shell game is a whole different kettle of fish! It seems most people don't really like the currently available components but as I'm new to this game, that's what I've got available. If you are reading this and want to sell me a bunch of Winchester AA hulls and wads, please feel free to contact me!

First the specs; I want to load 1 oz of either Bismuth #4 or lead #6 for a mild pressure load between 1200 and 1300 fps. Both guns are functionally excellent and will handle 2 3/4" shells. I would like to use Unique powder and I have lots and many sources list suitable loads. Lastly, I have a Lee Load All II loader so that's what I'll be using however I may still weigh shot and powder if the bushings don't yield the results I want.

It seems that Cheddite or Fiochi hulls are most common in Canada for purchase and they use different primers. They both have a fairly large internal volume and some powders like Longshot are reported to have migration issues if the wads don't find snugly.

So please recommend components that are available and in your experience work well together as well as sources.

Thanks for any collective help that you can offer.
 
Using Cheddite, Fiocchi or Federal hulls, you need a wad for straight wall hulls, which means European these days.
There are 2, a B&P wad and a Guilandi wad, both are sold by Ballistic Products. Others sell them in the US, but no Canadian importer from Precision Reloading or Grafs.
BPI calls them the Z16 and the SG16 wad.
Will Bilozir and Sporteque offer these wads in Canada, and maybe others.
You will likely have problems with stack height and need over shot wads to support the crimp.
Claybuster and Remington wads do not seal well in straight wall hulls, leading to powder migration and bloopers.
 
I use Cheddite, Federal and Fiocchi hulls all with good results . Herco and Unique work well for me. The Z16 wad is ok but need fillers for 1oz loads. Not big on the Rem SP16 wad. The Claybuster CBO100-16 wad is a crossover of the WAA16 wad but it is modified to work in straight wall hulls it works well for 1oz and 1 1/8 , 1 1/4 loads. All three hulls work well if set up properly a overshot card helps with the crimps . 1oz load of #6 or #8 are my go to . As for primers I use Cheddites , Fiocchi , and Win 209 they all seem to work the same for me.
 
When I measure the over-powder skirt on the CB 0100-16 it is the smallest diameter when compared to R16, SP16 or Z16 wads - a loose fit in any straight walled hull.
 
The flair and depth in the powder cup is deeper in the claybuster than the Rem sp16 . The claybuster is much similar to the Z16. Picked the tip up another forum it was designed to work in a straight wall hull . Works for me a little wad pressure and no bloobers so far
 
saskbooknut said:
When I measure the over-powder skirt on the CB 0100-16 it is the smallest diameter when compared to R16, SP16 or Z16 wads - a loose fit in any straight walled hull.
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In a Federal case, powder will leak by a Claybuster. You will get bloopers.

My 16 gauge journey ran into enough road blocks I abandoned it. I had two hulls left to try. Ballistic (Bilozir) have a RIO and Fiocchi, that may be usable. I'm further handicapped as I want to roll crimp for a 2 9/16 chamber on my 1897. Trimming 2 3/4 hulls is easy, finding a hull that the brass doesn't turn in the roll crimper, not so easy.

I bought a LEE Load-All for 16, I wish I had bought a MEC Sizemaster. At the end of the day, the LEE Load-all is a sorry excuse for a shotshell reloader.
 
BP clamp and roll crimper and drill press works on any hull for me. X2 on the Lee they make some OK stuff shot shell loaders isn't one of them. On a side note the Fiocchi hulls have been stellar for me.
 
mbogo3 said:
Get a used MEC 600 jr
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My vote would be to buy a new Mec Sizemaster. I've used both, the auto primer feed and better sizing of the base make it the winner. Used presses tend to come with issues. Definitely stay away from the "Took it in trade, don't load shotgun, never used it" ones.
 
Saskbooknut nailed it. My experience has been the same as his.
For data, there is a very good 16 ga. reloader group, now hosted on the website 24 Hour Campfire. They are very good at sharing well proven loads, and are the best source I've found for ballistics lab tested loads. Suggest you join and look them up.
In my experience, the Gulandi SG-16 wad in either Fiocci or Cheddite cases, & Unique powder, and 1 oz of lead shot work very well.
For 1-1/8 oz loads I use Remington wads and hulls, they also work well together. I had a Lee press, switched to a MEC size master and am much happier.
 
I load once fired Remington Game Load hulls. (black) They are slightly shorter and run through my Model 12 16 bore very well. Euro hulls are at max overall fired length and sometimes the Model 12 bobbles on ejection. 1 oz. of #6 ( or4 or 5) Bismuth, Remington SP16 wad, Win 209 primer and 21.6 grains of Long shot powder. This load runs at 9,400 PSI and produces 1,250 fps. My side by side Buhag likes this load also. It will work for you also. I load these on a Lee Load All and get good fit and good crimps. The Game Load hulls are good for at least one reload. Remington Game loads are every where and not expensive. Shoot grouse with the factory load and reload for ducks with the load noted.

Darryl
 
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