2.5" shells

Order from any dealer stocking Kent shells. Kent markets a line called "Traditional Game" 2.5" shells in 12,16 and 20 ga. I have used a bunch of the 16 ga. shells and they are very good.
You can load your own, but you will need specific data. Available from Hodgdon if I remember correctly. You may need a roll crimper and over shot cards depending on your press. MEC presses can be adapted to short shells, most others can't.
 
Unless you got a gazillion of them, I find its not worth the time to make all the adjustments to your press. I prefer to keep one standard shell for loading and not have to adjust anything. Every time refitting is done, there is a number of hulls that get tossed as casualties, sometimes more sometimes less. I used to fart around with all the different hulls, now I only stick to one and never make changes to the press unless it goes out of spec.
 
I have reloaded many, many 2.5 inch black powder 12 ga. loads using cut down 3 inch plastic hulls. I get my waterfowl hunting buddies to save the hulls from their steel shot loads.
I use 70 grains FFg black, over powder wad, 1/2 inch fibre cushion wad, 1 1/8 oz. shot, card over shot wad, roll crimped.
Cutting 2 3/4 hulls does not work as well due to remains of the crimp.
 
I have reloaded many, many 2.5 inch black powder 12 ga. loads using cut down 3 inch plastic hulls. I get my waterfowl hunting buddies to save the hulls from their steel shot loads.
I use 70 grains FFg black, over powder wad, 1/2 inch fibre cushion wad, 1 1/8 oz. shot, card over shot wad, roll crimped.
Cutting 2 3/4 hulls does not work as well due to remains of the crimp.
Thanks for the tip, what press do you use?
 
Thanks for the tip, what press do you use?
The best press to get for loading 2 1/2" ammo is a MEC 600jr IMO.
I load 2 1/2 in both 12 and 20 gauge.
All you need is an adapter plate available from MEC , it slides under your shell holders, and away you go!

This fella can sell all the diffetrent stuff you need as well as data books.
http://www.bilozir.net/
Cat
 
The best press to get for loading 2 1/2" ammo is a MEC 600jr IMO.
I load 2 1/2 in both 12 and 20 gauge.
All you need is an adapter plate available from MEC , it slides under your shell holders, and away you go!
Cat

Agreed.
While I prefer my old 600 Jr, it can also be done with the Lee loader, needs just a little work.

Ellwood Epps sells Kent / Gamebore 65mm shells. Not that expensive to get.
They used to have both smokeless and BP types.
With Smokeless I use WAA12 wads. Works fine.
 
Back
Top Bottom