Hey had a question about reloading steel. There are so many new shells out today available like black cloud, hevi metal, blind side. What kinds of different shot can i load? i know blind side is square shape and it would be hard to reload it just right to fit the same was as it comes from the factory. there must be more shapes and different types of steel i can load i was curious.
Reloading steel for waterfowl
- Thread starter fowlmouth
- Start date
BigUglyMan
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- New Scotland
This is the wrong forum on so many levels it's not even funny. You'll probably have better luck in the Hunting and Sporting Shotguns forum or the Reloading forum.
I don't reload steel shot... I don't think it,s worth it. I only fire when I think I'll kill, that means I don,t even fire 20 shots a year. Not worth the hassle to me. Sorry.
I don't but "fancy" and expensive loads, only regular "steel shot" loads.
I use a 3 1/2 10 gauge. I have also used a 3 inch 12 gauge. Both work... 10 gauge gives you more chances if you are further away.
If you use decoys and they land on you, 12 gauge is enough. If you try to get close slowly for half an hour in goose poop, and they see you and lift off, and you are a bit far, 10 gauge helps alot.
I don't but "fancy" and expensive loads, only regular "steel shot" loads.
I use a 3 1/2 10 gauge. I have also used a 3 inch 12 gauge. Both work... 10 gauge gives you more chances if you are further away.
If you use decoys and they land on you, 12 gauge is enough. If you try to get close slowly for half an hour in goose poop, and they see you and lift off, and you are a bit far, 10 gauge helps alot.
well reloading steel shot is for sure worth it.. i reload lead and i already have the powder, hulls and primers i just have to buy a new shot rail, new wads, and steel shot. Factory steel shot is anywhere from $20-$35 per box. i hunt at least 2 days a week for the sole season (about 5 months) i go through a lot of shells so it is worth it. Also you can tailor your shells to shoot the desired speed that works best for you. Not my first season... just looking for reloading advice on what varieties of steel can i load in 3" 12 gauge on my mec 600 jr.
I prefer to load bismuth, nice shot or ITX if I'm going to load my own waterfowl shells.
I don't bother reloading straight up steel shot it's not worth the price, I can get a box of steel shot for $15 from tsc (http://www.tscstores.com/12-GAUGE-HIGH-VELOCITY-STEEL-SHOT-P1784.aspx) $0.60/shell isn't worth the time and effort for me to go and find steel wads and powder.
I don't bother reloading straight up steel shot it's not worth the price, I can get a box of steel shot for $15 from tsc (http://www.tscstores.com/12-GAUGE-HIGH-VELOCITY-STEEL-SHOT-P1784.aspx) $0.60/shell isn't worth the time and effort for me to go and find steel wads and powder.
arcticcathonda
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Southern Alberta
If I was going to do it, I would skip the steel and do something like bismuth as mentioned above!
I am reloading 2 3/4 steel. found a recipe with federal top gun hulls. For shot I'm using steel air gun BB's, They fall in size between a 1 and a B
I don't think you can buy black cloud or blind side shot, stick with the good old round stuff. Besides, with blind side you would have to stack each little block 1 at a time.
I don't think you can buy black cloud or blind side shot, stick with the good old round stuff. Besides, with blind side you would have to stack each little block 1 at a time.
Can I get that recipe?
so what exactly is bismuth just a type of steel? and can i purchase it at my reloading store or do i have to go elsewhere? i like to shoot #3 for goose and ducks i have used that for several seasons and had great results with it. thanks
ok let's see, google " so what exactly is bismuth"
oh, first page hit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bismuth
Bismuth is a chemical element with symbol Bi and atomic number 83. Bismuth, a pentavalent poor metal, chemically resembles arsenic and antimony. Elemental bismuth may occur naturally, although its sulfide and oxide form important commercial ores. The free element is 86% as dense as lead. It is a brittle metal with a silvery white color when freshly produced, but is often seen in air with a pink tinge owing to surface oxidation. Bismuth is the most naturally diamagnetic and has one of the lowest values of thermal conductivity among metals.
Looks like it's 20$ a pound for bismuth shot, might want to stick to steel?
Powder: Alliant Steel 36gn
1,520 fps
Primer: Fed 209A
Wad: Rel Spec "SAM 1 12 ga 2 3/4"
9,200 psi
1oz steel shot
This is for a federal gold medal hull. after dissecting a gold medal, and top gun hull, they appear to be the same internally. I load both hulls with this load, and only reload them once.
There is also a similar load for remington hulls, check alliants web site
Using the Air Gun bb's, i get about 82-83 bb's per oz
