Hey guys I just ordered some gear to get started reloading, I’ve got longshot powder and clay buster wads, does anyone have any preferred loads they like to use or could recommend to get started? I have 2.75 and 3” hulls, has anyone ever used 3” for skeet shooting? Other than recoil is there any other disadvantage or any advantage to using them?
New reloader here with some questions
- Thread starter daltonb
- Start date
https://www.hodgdonreloading.com/reloading-data-center
You can input the hull type you have and pick the powder you have access to, it will give you a recipe.
The recoil from a 3" shell will depend on how you load it.
Longshot is more suited to heavier payloads going much faster than what your shoulder will tolerate during a day of shooting clays.
You'll most likely need to source a different powder.
For skeet, a 1oz or 7/8 load, loaded to 1150-1200 fps will be a milder recoiling load that will break any clay.
You can input the hull type you have and pick the powder you have access to, it will give you a recipe.
The recoil from a 3" shell will depend on how you load it.
Longshot is more suited to heavier payloads going much faster than what your shoulder will tolerate during a day of shooting clays.
You'll most likely need to source a different powder.
For skeet, a 1oz or 7/8 load, loaded to 1150-1200 fps will be a milder recoiling load that will break any clay.
sharp shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Essex county (Ontario)
Save the 3" shells for hunting or sell them if you don't hunt. If you are shooting trap or skeet at a club, there are typically shot size and dram limits. An example would be max #7.5 shot and 3 drams max. When people see your 3" shells there may be a lot of commotion.
For powder, I'd suggest getting some titewad or titegroup as thats just about all there is out there available and they are both good powders.
And always follow the load data in the books and and on the websites. Hodgdon's website has a lot of data.
Its expensive as hell.
I load for 20gauge and .410 but 12 gauge is still cheaper to buy commercial loads than it is to reload, unless you are loading buckshot and/or slugs.
You need to look into your loading manuals for more information and don't go outside the limits. If you're new and never loaded before it would be wise to look for someone in your area who you can sit down with for an hour and go through the process. You will save a lot of ill expenses on parts and supplies. Bring beer and pizza if thats what it takes.
Some ranges won't allow 3" shotshells on a skeet field, and there is no point in wasting more lead, and dealing with more recoil for skeet. Personally, I shoot 90% of my skeet with the 410 and 28 gauge, you just don't need more than 3/4oz for recreational skeet.
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
As others have said, forget about 3 inch hulls for clay target shooting. Figure out what wads you have, they may be for 1 oz or 1 1/8 oz loads. Then look on Hodgdon's website for a loading recipe with your wad, hull, powder and primer preference. Only use recipe's for the components that you have and don't mix and match.
sharp shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Essex county (Ontario)
Good advice
Thanks guys I do hunt and will be using my 3” shells for loading steel shot for waterfowl and making some turkey loads but I will also be reloading my 2.75” for clays since I already have the equipment for it, thank you for all of the advice! I do plan to stick to published loads in just having a hard time finding loads for cheddite hulls with the powder I’ve got, I really don’t mind the recoil with using a heavier powder but I will definitely order something a little better for clays! Thanks for all the advice!
You can get Hodgdon Titewad powder these days. its works well for 12 g target loads. Cheddite hulls are straight walled and require wads that suit, these are also available (Claybuster). Cheddite primers are also available.
sharp shooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Essex county (Ontario)
Cheddite Hulls
Hodgdon Titewad Ched. 209, Fed. 12S3 17gr 9,000 PSI 1,145 fps
Hodgdon Titewad Ched. 209, Fed. 12S3 18gr 10,100 PSI 1,200 fps
Federal Gold Medal Hulls
Hodgdon Titewad Ched. 209 CB 6118-12 16.7 9,800 PSI 1,145 fps
Hodgdon Titewad Ched. 209 CB 6118-12 17.7 10,800 PSI 1,200 fps
Copied from Hogdon website
Hodgdon Titewad Ched. 209, Fed. 12S3 17gr 9,000 PSI 1,145 fps
Hodgdon Titewad Ched. 209, Fed. 12S3 18gr 10,100 PSI 1,200 fps
Federal Gold Medal Hulls
Hodgdon Titewad Ched. 209 CB 6118-12 16.7 9,800 PSI 1,145 fps
Hodgdon Titewad Ched. 209 CB 6118-12 17.7 10,800 PSI 1,200 fps
Copied from Hogdon website
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Ballistic Products has a Cheddite Manual for sale...exactly what you need for LOTS of Cheddite loads, for all Cheddite hulls in all gauges.
Struff, I've been using Longshot with 1 1/8 oz loads for a long time....albeit stout and fast !! Being a fav bunny load with heavier shot in yrs past. these days, I have resurrected it and use it for some long range clays and stretched out clay rabbits with 7 1/2 & 8 shot.
****You should also check with your club first to see if they have any FPS restrictions for shot size. Some clubs allow only 1350 fps handicapped loads due to shot fallout of the ranges safety template areas ***
The following data is taken from my RCBS Shotshell Manual (copyright 2007)
My fav combo....
*****CHEDDITE HULLS....CHED 209 PRIMERS....LONGSHOT POWDER......33.6 GR....FED 12S3 (( CB-2118-12 ))...1420 FPS....7100 PSI
The lighter PSI for this load is why I use it from time to time. It's a loudenboomer from my 625 Citori with the ported bbls, but that's what my ear buds are for..lol
**NOTE*** There are also 15 more loads listed next to this one, for the Longshot / 1 1/8 oz lead combo...all increasing in PSI and using different wads and powder volume....some loads using as much as 38 gr of LS powder.
best of luck with it..been doing it since the mid 70's....it's an addiction for sure !!
Cheers...Kevin
Struff, I've been using Longshot with 1 1/8 oz loads for a long time....albeit stout and fast !! Being a fav bunny load with heavier shot in yrs past. these days, I have resurrected it and use it for some long range clays and stretched out clay rabbits with 7 1/2 & 8 shot.
****You should also check with your club first to see if they have any FPS restrictions for shot size. Some clubs allow only 1350 fps handicapped loads due to shot fallout of the ranges safety template areas ***
The following data is taken from my RCBS Shotshell Manual (copyright 2007)
My fav combo....
*****CHEDDITE HULLS....CHED 209 PRIMERS....LONGSHOT POWDER......33.6 GR....FED 12S3 (( CB-2118-12 ))...1420 FPS....7100 PSI
The lighter PSI for this load is why I use it from time to time. It's a loudenboomer from my 625 Citori with the ported bbls, but that's what my ear buds are for..lol
**NOTE*** There are also 15 more loads listed next to this one, for the Longshot / 1 1/8 oz lead combo...all increasing in PSI and using different wads and powder volume....some loads using as much as 38 gr of LS powder.
best of luck with it..been doing it since the mid 70's....it's an addiction for sure !!
Cheers...Kevin
Falconflyer
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Ok so you guys realize this thread is a year and a half old right?
