16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 29 Nov 2011 Posts: 55 Location: TN

I'm totally new to reloading but excited to get started. I've purchased the 16 gauge reloading manual from BPI and have gathered some other reputable recipes as well. Nonetheless I have a few questions:

1. It is my understanding that I can use virtually any modern hull with any recipe. In other words the hull portion of the recipe is flexible and will not adversely affect the recipe; is that correct?

2. Does using a different primer than what the recipe calls for (ie. Remington instead of Winchester) adversely affect the recipe?

3. I've been informed that 11000PSI is the max pressure for 16GA but some recipes I've came across equate to as much as 11500PSI; should I avoid loading those pressures higher than 11,000?

I'm sure there will be more questions to follow but lets start with these.

Thanks!!

Member Joined: 08 Nov 2005 Posts: 3438 Location: Illinois

No-Yes-Yes

Joined: 29 Nov 2011 Posts: 55 Location: TN

Member Joined: 08 Jun 2009 Posts: 321 Location: So Cal

Your best advice and information can be found in Lyman's 5th Edition for Shotgun Reloading. It will be the best value for the money spent. It has detailed sections for loading a variety of different manufacture's hulls and wads, along with various powder and primer combinations.

The main advice (CAUTION) is to keep with published data that has been thoroughly tested and proven safe. Sometimes the powder amount your equipment is able to throw may be slightly off (not an exact match) but a little smaller amount is not a problem.

But what this manual also has is very good tables and explanations of what happens when you change primers - and it can be dangerous unless you know what you're doing. It goes into detail about all the components and how changing them affects not only velocity but pressures. Unlike rifle and pistol cartridges, shotgun shells do not readily show signs of excess pressure. The primers won't flatten like they do in centerfire cartridges but when you get gas blowby at the primers you've gone way beyond what is safe.

The best advice I can give is to thoroughly study the reloading manuals and their cautions before you begin doing any shotgun reloading. But once you get started on the right path it is a lot of fun. But go slow and concentrate on what you're doing and develop a good rhythm and sequence. And be sure to put a new wad into the wad holder before you index your progressive presses - its too easy to "think" you did and its a pain in the ass when you load the shot directly into the powder.

In shotshell reloading every component is specific to a recipe. There are hulls that are straight walled hulls such as cheddite and federal to tapered hulls like Remington but they are not interchangeable.

Primer selection is also specific to each recipe. Changing primers can and will dramatically affect the load.

I tend to keep pressure under 10000 but you will get different opinions on ideal pressure.

In the end until you are very experienced do not substitute components. It is not worth the risk!

Just to make things more difficult different hulls work well with certain wads but not with others and the same with primers. Spend some time reading on this site and look for recipes that people have had good luck with.

Sorry I am typing this on my phone which is a pain in the rear so I am being brief. Have fun learning as reloading is a rewarding hobby in itself and feel free to ask questions.

James

Member Joined: 06 Oct 2007 Posts: 2347 Location: West MI

always use the listed components never change the list.

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida

Good advise so far and do get the Lymans 5th

One other thing , decide on what kinda loads you want first ( 1 oz , 7/8 oz , ect and what speeds you want ) and pick data for that type or types of load . Then buy your components . Lot easier this way , instead of buying a bunch of components then trying to come up with a load. Keep it simple at first.

Good reading here http://www.armbrust.acf2.org/primersubs.htm

Or anything by Tom Arburst for that matter.

Joined: 28 Aug 2014 Posts: 924 Location: Eastern Tennessee

Sounds like I'm about 18 months in front of you.

All I can add is that learning reloading is a constant layering process. Books will give you loads and a base of understanding. They also go deeper on components, but this and other online boards will push you to the next level.

I started 'stiff' sticking to books, but lately I've become more comfortable with my knowledge base. You will stress about crimps, accuracy of your powder weights, primer pocket size, loose hull elements, the diameter of your hull rims, powder migration, and the safe limits of each gun just to name the lions share. Past all this stress is a better quality ammo that can be tailored to your use and gun patterns.

The 2 issues I needed board help with the most were wad/hull/powder combinations that cause migration (an issue the books don't help you with well) and the use of filler materials on printed load data.

As mentioned above, get Lyman's 5th, select your loads and make use of a pattern board to verify that the recipes you have loaded pattern well at the distances you shoot. I suggest the pattern board because not all recipes will pattern well, as barrels have a mind of their own.

Joined: 29 Nov 2011 Posts: 55 Location: TN

I've got Lyman's 5th in my shopping cart ready to purchase now!!

Thanks for the info!!

Would any of you veterans mind sharing some of your favorite load recipes in this thread?

Member Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 401 Location: Tennessee

Where are you located in the Volunteer state?

Joined: 29 Nov 2011 Posts: 55 Location: TN

Joined: 28 Aug 2014 Posts: 924 Location: Eastern Tennessee

Big orange! I didn't know texas was in Tennessee.

Razz

I thought Texas was burnt orange with an emphasis on Burnt.

James