Reloading 12ga. 2.5 inch shells

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bigbull

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Hi guys I need some advice on loading 2 1/2" shells.
I load 2 3/4", 3" 12ga. and 10ga but don't know where to start with the 2 1/2".
The gun is a vintage side by side field gun with 30" barrels and will be used for hunting, I got some Challenger 2 1/2" ammo to get started but wish to handload.

The question is do you trim 2 3/4" hulls or try to source 2 1/2" hulls, same for the wads trim 2 3/4 or source 2 1/2".
Good starting loads and powders, looking for 7/8 and 1 ounce loads.
Thanks
BB
 
If you are already loading 2 3/4" then it probably easier to use the same press on cut hulls rather than setting up another with dies to crimp short shells. The ballistics products roll crimper in a drill press does a great job. You can either buy your overshot cards, or use a craft punch to cut out your own. Some cut their hulls in a jig with a bandsaw several at a time, or one at a time in a jig with an razor blade cutter. I just use curved scissors free hand. You can make quite a few while watching a ball game on Tv, limited only by finger cramps.
Having said that, I now shoot 2 3/4" hulls through most of my short chambered guns - the only one I load short shells for has a steep step at 2.5 inches rather than a gradual forcing cone. I'm not advising anyone to shoot 2 3/4" hulls - this is just food for thought and I'm interested on hearing what other opinions are out there. The Sherman Bell articles in DGJ quantified the increase in chamber pressure and I'm comfortable with that nominal increase but would not do it after firing one in a particular gun if I found the fired hulls were difficult to extract or if the crimp was frayed excessively. I'm loading 1 oz loads at 1100 fps with 700x with published peak pressure of 6300 psi so can afford a few hundred PSI due to longer hull even in my black powder proofed guns (this is a recipe for 2 3/4" hulls and I use it for either short roll crimp hulls or crimped full length). Also, note that some hulls are longer than others. I stick to one particular make/model and they measure 2 11/16" when fired. As a first step, with your barrels off (so the extractors are relaxed), slide a 2 3/4" fired hull into your chambers to see how much resistance there is to the hull seating all the way.
 
I stripped one of my 2.5" hulls to examine the load and discovered a wad that looks like something gualandi makes but cannot find a vendor or it on line. There is a flaky powder weighing 16.3gr and 361gr.(7/8oz) of 7.5# shot.
I cannot find any wads specifically for 2.5" shells, do they even exist.
BB
 
You can buy Guilandi wads from Sporteque in Drummondville.
Look at the Ballistic Products catalogue online to find which wad you want. You can also buy new Cheddite hulls from Sporteque.
BPI has some data sheets for short English style 2.5 inch cartridges.
 
Thanks or the input guys.
Does anyone know if there are specific wads made or the 2.5" hulls, I have not found any?
BB
 
BPI ( through Bilozir ) offers a a compact wad specifically for the 2 1/2 “ hulls, they’re made for straight walled ( not internally tapered like the original AA) and work fine with Federal, Fiocchi cut down hulls in my experience. Winchester WAA 12R wads work great in Winchester and many other cases with a 1/8” 20 gauge wad for a filler under the shot.
 
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