Newb to 12 ga. reloading

[Jesse17]

OK, I got my fancy new 12 ga. MEC Sizemaster all set up. I've got 1000's of hulls saved from those Federal 'value packs' that Walmart sells, and was going to reload them since I've been told that they work fine despite the fears about having a separate paper wad. Alas, I can find no loading data for them and am getting tired of putting in the effort on a possibly ill-advised venture.

So to start things out right, which hull would y'all recommend a newb use for trap shooting. Keep in mind I'm used to the Federal 1 1/8oz Value Packs.

I guess another question would be is there a hull/wad combination that you would recommend? I haven't bought my first component yet, so I'd like to get on the right track with the least purchases of components that end up not being used.

Thanks!

[Frogtop]

I haven't loaded shot shells in a while as I gave up trap but did it long enough to learn a few things the hard way. First is you can reload any shell that takes a star crimp. Second is to make sure you are using the correct wad for the shell/load you are loading. Its all about the length vs the load. If the wad is too short you won't get a pretty crimp as it will want to cave. If it's too long you won't be able to close the crimp. I found the Win AA, Fed and Rem trap loads to be the more consistent and easiest to reload. You can buy bulk once fired really cheap and in the long run will be less irritating to use. Remember to match the wad to the shell and the load.
Now check the manual for any 1 1/8 load in 12 ga and use it. I used 700X mostly because I got a deal on a bunch of it. Now I'm trying to use it up in 9mm pistol loads. BTW, changing shot size will change your volume in the case even if the same weight. Bigger shot, smaller space as you will have less volume between pieces. Have fun, good luck.

[JLA]

Those are the exact hulls I use, and all i load is trap loads.

18 gr Red dot
Waa12 wad
1 1/8 oz shot
Fiocchi 616 primer.

These are 2 3/4 dram equivalents good for about 1130 fps and very mild recoil. Im getting about half a dozen reloads before the folds start to split. And I also interchange remington sps 209 primers and win 209s with the fiocchis, I just prefer the fiocchis, they are cleaner.

[Appliancedude]

They are definitely reloadable. I prefer the winchester plastic basewad type. Just my pref.

My one tip I'll give is if your using a progressive loader keep an eye on your powder. I got just cranking them out and didn't realize I ran out of powder. Very embarrassing when your on the trap line and your gun just spits out shot about 25 feet, and then walking off the line to go get a stick to push the wad out of the barrel.

[myfriendis410]

Those hulls will load just fine for you with a little experimentation. I will say that you could save a bit by loading a 1 oz. load--that's 50 shells per bag of shot. My experience is that a 1 oz. load does just as well as 1 1/8 oz. for everything but handicap distances, and even then it works quite well. Claybuster is probably your best deal for wads; try Midsouth Shooter's Supply or Graf and Sons. Red Dot is a good choice for powder, as is Clays.

[Appliancedude]

Originally Posted by myfriendis410

Those hulls will load just fine for you with a little experimentation. I will say that you could save a bit by loading a 1 oz. load--that's 50 shells per bag of shot. My experience is that a 1 oz. load does just as well as 1 1/8 oz. for everything but handicap distances, and even then it works quite well. Claybuster is probably your best deal for wads; try Midsouth Shooter's Supply or Graf and Sons. Red Dot is a good choice for powder, as is Clays.

I have to be misreading this. 50 shells per bag of shot? How small of bags are you buying? 1 bag of shot will do a hell of a lot more than 2 boxes

[Frogtop]

Originally Posted by Appliancedude

They are definitely reloadable. I prefer the winchester plastic basewad type. Just my pref.

My one tip I'll give is if your using a progressive loader keep an eye on your powder. I got just cranking them out and didn't realize I ran out of powder. Very embarrassing when your on the trap line and your gun just spits out shot about 25 feet, and then walking off the line to go get a stick to push the wad out of the barrel.

Done that. You hear this "thunk" and then it sounds like it's raining. As Appy said, you then turn red and go looking for a cleaning rod.

[sting75ray]

Originally Posted by myfriendis410

Those hulls will load just fine for you with a little experimentation. I will say that you could save a bit by loading a 1 oz. load--that's 50 shells per bag of shot. My experience is that a 1 oz. load does just as well as 1 1/8 oz. for everything but handicap distances, and even then it works quite well. Claybuster is probably your best deal for wads; try Midsouth Shooter's Supply or Graf and Sons. Red Dot is a good choice for powder, as is Clays.

Originally Posted by Appliancedude

I have to be misreading this. 50 shells per bag of shot? How small of bags are you buying? 1 bag of shot will do a hell of a lot more than 2 boxes

A 25lb bag of shot will load 400 rounds using 1 ounce loads.

[sting75ray]

Originally Posted by JLA

Those are the exact hulls I use, and all i load is trap loads.

18 gr Red dot
Waa12 wad
1 1/8 oz shot
Fiocchi 616 primer.

These are 2 3/4 dram equivalents good for about 1130 fps and very mild recoil. Im getting about half a dozen reloads before the folds start to split. And I also interchange remington sps 209 primers and win 209s with the fiocchis, I just prefer the fiocchis, they are cleaner.

My load is about the same as yours and the kids have no issues with recoil of any kind. We just went through close to 800 rounds out here on Sunday for our first youth trap shoot. I have another month now to get some more loaded up.

[JLA]

oh and i forgot. I also use BPI overshot cards. keeps the crimps uniform.

[myfriendis410]

Originally Posted by Frogtop

Done that. You hear this "thunk" and then it sounds like it's raining. As Appy said, you then turn red and go looking for a cleaning rod.

We call those "Crown Royal" loads.

[Jesse17]

Thanks for the reassurance everyone, and the recipe. I guess I'll go ahead and load up the shells I got a few times before I worry about buying 'safer' shells.

[bobski]

12S0 wad works perfectly for the 1oz red dot receipe in those hulls. try it.
when you need more hulls, pm me. i got tons.


btw, the other poster was saying you get 50 MORE rounds by using 1oz instead of 1 1/8oz loads per bag.

[myfriendis410]

350 per bag/1 1/8 oz. and 400 per bag/ 1 oz.

I use the Claybuster blue Windjammer style with 18.0 gr. of Red Dot and a WW primer. About 1,250 fps. Very soft and great pattern.

[Appliancedude]

thanks Bobski, I knew I wasn't reading it right. I read it 4 times before I posted, I don't know why but it just wouldn't click. Sometimes I think I'm dyslexic

[sting75ray]

Originally Posted by Appliancedude

thanks Bobski, I knew I wasn't reading it right. I read it 4 times before I posted, I don't know why but it just wouldn't click. Sometimes I think I'm dyslexic

I read it wrong as well. I guess I read things now about as well as I listen to my wife.

[Jesse17]

Oh, I guess I should ask are those recipes for # 7.5 shot or # 8 shot?

[bobski]

its all the same regardless of shot size. an oz. is an oz.

[JLA]

Yep. i use them with #4 for rabbit loads and with #8 for dove and clays.

[Jesse17]

I'm confused. Doesn't changing the shot size change the volume and therefore require a different wad?

I'm sure you guy are right, I'm a just trying to understand it better.

[Frogtop]

Originally Posted by bobski

its all the same regardless of shot size. an oz. is an oz.

An oz. (by weight) is an oz. (by weight) no doubt about that. An oz. of no. 8 shot will occupy a different amount of space than an oz. of say no. 4 shot due to the density variation caused by the space between the shot. There are spaces occupied by the shot (intraparticular space) and space occupied by air between the shot (interparticulate space). Now in one oz. wt. the actual volume/wt (density) will vary with size but the actual amount occupied in one oz. will probably be of no consequence. As the amount of weight increases the variation in density will cause this to be more relevant. In other words, at this weight it ain't gonna matter. Get up to 1 1/2 oz. and it might if the wad is near full already. Sorry to have caused the confusion for nothing.

[Jesse17]

Originally Posted by Frogtop

An oz. (by weight) is an oz. (by weight) no doubt about that. An oz. of no. 8 shot will occupy a different amount of space than an oz. of say no. 4 shot due to the density variation caused by the space between the shot. There are spaces occupied by the shot (intraparticular space) and space occupied by air between the shot (interparticulate space). Now in one oz. wt. the actual volume/wt (density) will vary with size but the actual amount occupied in one oz. will probably be of no consequence. As the amount of weight increases the variation in density will cause this to be more relevant. In other words, at this weight it ain't gonna matter. Get up to 1 1/2 oz. and it might if the wad is near full already. Sorry to have caused the confusion for nothing.

Gotch'ya. Thanks.

[Jesse17]

Just screwing around this weekend I emailed Federal and asked for reloading data for the Federal 100 round 12 gauge Value Packs that they sell through Walmart. This was their response...

Jesse,

Treat these as 12 gauge 2 3/4" hunting -type cases with paper basewads. You can find the data on our web site at www.federalpremium.com under resources and then shot shell reloading data.

Thanks

Federal Premium

And here's the data they pointed me to on their web site.


I'm stoked, as I really expected them to just tell me they don't recommend reloading them.

[Frogtop]

Gotta admit that is excellent customer relations on their part. Hard to find these days.

[Appliancedude]

Originally Posted by Frogtop

Gotta admit that is excellent customer relations on their part. Hard to find these days.

Wow, that is good service.