following data?

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regulate34

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i am getting into loading shotshell. i am going to be doing 12gauge slugs and .410 loads. i have never reloaded before. i am wondering about data. it seems like their are about a million diffrent loads out their for one to make. i am wondering if its ok to deviate from published data. kind of create my own. more so for the 12gauge stuff trying to find a accurate load. i know that some powders are more dence then others and that why you get one load of 40grains of blue dot but the other load has 26grains of uni clays and both put out 1450fps.

so if i start with my own combo and work up the powder is that ok. provided that the wad is at the right hight in the shotshell.

also what are signs of over pressure on shotshell so i know what to look for.

thanks
lucas
 
I'm not an expert, but from what I've reloaded here's what I've learned:

-different powders burn at different rates and exert different pressures. So it is very possible that 40 gr of blue dot will create the same velocity as 26gr of clays. (this is all dependent on the weight of the shot and hull used being consistent)

-I would see which hull you have (look through the Lyman Shotshell Manual, they have pictures, dimensions etc) then you can associate a maximum pressure with the hull.

After that, NEVER EXCEED the maximum pressure for your hull and shot weight. You may try to shoot some lighter loads, but you may experience some fail-to-feeds.

I'm assuming you are new to reloading in general, my way of doing it is: I'll produce 10 rounds of the "lightest" round, then increase by 0.2gr of powder or so (depending on the range in the book) until I'm ALMOST at the max. I'll normally end up with 60 or so rounds.

After that, I go to the range and fire them through my semi-auto. I record any problems with each recipe. Then I see which one i like.

edit: Inspect your hulls, if you see any kinks or white marks where the plastic is weak or broken, don't even bother. Toss it, it's not worth it.
 
With shot shell loading, the published data should be followed, EXACTLY.
One other thing to remeber is, with shot shell loading, the best you can hope for is to duplicate factory loads. Don't try to "improve" on factory loads.
 
H4831 said:
With shot shell loading, the published data should be followed, EXACTLY.
One other thing to remeber is, with shot shell loading, the best you can hope for is to duplicate factory loads. Don't try to "improve" on factory loads.
Click to expand...


Yes, and "EXACTLY" means just that...the exact same shell case, wad(s), etc.

Hugh
 
regulate34 said:
ok so dont mess around. got it.
Click to expand...

For a beginner that's good advice.
I for one do experiment with shotshells.
Think about it, neither the shot nor the powder loads are critical. You're using bushings to meter both which is kindof accurate. My press can go +/-1grain for powder and more for shot.
But then again, I'm only shooting modern shotguns chambered for 3.5" magnum loads which are more forgiving.
 
regulate34 said:
you get one load of 40grains of blue dot but the other load has 26grains of uni clays and both put out 1450fps.
Click to expand...

This is where you save money. dont play with the charge amounts, but look at how many grains it takes to make a load. I would go with the 26grs before the 40gr, as I would get more loads out of a pound of powder.

The only thing you can play with regarding shotgun shells is the shot. an Oz is an Oz, 1 1/4 is 1 1/4. as long as the weight is there, what ever the load is that you are making, you can play with what is being fired out if it weighs what it should. If that makes any sense. Like a buck and ball load for example.
 
regulate34 said:
also what are signs of over pressure on shotshell so i know what to look for.
Click to expand...

Usually the first sign is when the shotgun comes apart in a flying cloud of broken metal and wood. Sometimes blood and body parts are mixed in as well.


As mentioned follow published data exactly. Shotguns operate at a much lower pressure level than rifles so there is very little "wiggle room" and most published loads are already as high as you want to go. Something as simple as changing a primer type can take a safe load and push it over the edge.
 
'Boo said:
Shotguns operate at a much lower pressure level than rifles so there is very little "wiggle room"
Click to expand...

Care to explain the relation between pressure and "wiggle room"?

As an engineer I was taught to use a safety coefficient (that is strength/stress) regardless of the value of the stress.
In other words, any modern shotgun barrel should have a similar safety coefficient to that of a rifle.

I know older shotguns (read very old shotguns) are weaker because the stress they were designed to withstand (read pressure of the loads at the time) was way lower.
 
H4831 said:
With shot shell loading, the published data should be followed, EXACTLY.
One other thing to remeber is, with shot shell loading, the best you can hope for is to duplicate factory loads. Don't try to "improve" on factory loads.
Click to expand...

What he said.
 
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