Shotgun shot bar: Why not use bushing?

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huntingfish

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There's something I can't wrap my head around as far as shotgun reloading goes.

How come when you want to switch from 7/8oz to 1oz, you need to use a different bar? Why not just have bushings to mesure the shot?

Thanks

David
 
Some companies do exactly that on their shot shell presses (Ponsness Warren, Hornady, RCBS, Spolar and some others).

MEC uses the fixed shot bar size to set the shot charge and bushings for the powder (older ones were fixed shot and powder charges).
 
I use an MEC 600 Jr Mark 5 loader for 28 gauge. I bought an adjustable bar for it - so, although has been some time since I had it out, I am quite sure it can be adjusted for both shot and for powder. Is an extra purchase, though - not sure if that adjustable bar came on any of their presses??
 
ahh, you know what. I've only heard about the MEC reloaders and the Lee Load All 2. But I haven't really seen anything else on the used market for shotgun reloading. It hadn't even crossed my mind to look at other companies. I simply thought they weren't in the market for shotgun reloading.

I thought the fact that the Lee Load All 2came with all the powder and shot bushings was pretty nice. Especially for someone that doesn't want to do huge volumes of reloads and the fact that Lyman suggests purchasing 2 above and below the powder charge you want to use in a recipe.

David
 
Is a thing I found with my adjustable MEC bar - spent some time to get each side adjusted with my reloading beam scale - to throw the weight as per recipe. The resultant load shoots at least as good as I can. So, was never since been altered - still using same wads, same hulls, same powder, same primers - might have varied between #8 and #7.5 shot, but did not adjust that bar. I could likely have done just as fine with bushings, and/or a file. But, who knew?? I thought "adjustable" was better - you know, "just in case" ...
 
On the old MEC 600jr they used fixed bars for powder as well. My used one came with a couple as well as an adjustable . You know which one I will be using. I find it's interesting reading the old load data they went by volumes not by weights.
 
All shotgun loaders measure by volume. You use a scale to ensure the correct weight for the recipe.
Only Lee loading data was strictly by volume. I don't believe Lee ever developed loads and measured pressure.
I think they derived their tables from published data.
 
One of the reasons I don't use MEC products much. I have four other shot shell reloaders, and only one MEC. Those shot bars are quite limiting to the MECs versatility in my opinion. And the universal adjustable bar is too finicky.
 
The universal charge bar has been discontinued I believe.I have a new one unopened and a used one all gouged up from hard shot..Finicky and a pain to calibrate. Soft zinc body.
 
Any "bushing" thrown loads should be verified on a powder scale, and not taken for granite because of published bushing charts. I haven't found one that's an exact match in any of my scaling trials.
I scale all my bushings at LEAST 7 or 8 times, esp if I'm using a new recipe with a new unscaled powder. Hard to get the exact same throw a few times in a row on a real good day.
As the powder level in your bottle drops, your thrown charges will deviate as the volume in the bottle lessens. (( less pressure by weight is pushing down on the bushing)) ***full bottles compared to 1/4 full always gives you heavier throws.

***That being said, thrown loads will be much more consistent with a powder baffle installed on your loader, the amount of powder being thrown by the bushings, stays more constant and gives you a better averaged, "more accurate throw".

I spent a few evenings, and the odd stormy Saturday running all my different shotgun powders through ALL my bushings...# 16 to # 40..with a few of the A bushings in between numbers. All the while, using my powder baffle. Each one was thrown anywhere from 5 to 8 times. Some gave the same reading 5 times consecutively...others differed by a tenth or two..so I did a few more to get my average more consistent.

Gives me a great bushing# reference point when searching recipes and loads for myself or for friends and colleagues !
 
huntingfish said:
There's something I can't wrap my head around as far as shotgun reloading goes.

How come when you want to switch from 7/8oz to 1oz, you need to use a different bar? Why not just have bushings to mesure the shot?

Thanks

David
Click to expand...

MEC doesn't, but Ponsness & Warren does also Hornady does too.
 
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