Shotgun Reloading

[orhunter]

With shotgun payloads based on weight not volume, how do you adjust your loader to throw the correct weight when switching to higher density shot? I have no problem going to lower density/high antimony content shot by reaming out the shot hole but going the opposite direction is a bit of a challenge. An example would be going from lead to bismuth or Tungsten. A fellow is selling me a Sizemaster so comments should be based on MEC or similar products.

[Willie T]

I load with a sizemaster. Easy peezy. You have three options:
Simplest is an adjustable charge bar.

Slowest but most precise is weighing each shot charge. For 5-10 turkey loads this is the ticket.

Third is use a charge bar designed to throw a lighter weight that throws slightly less than your desired charge weight and ream it out. Use the % density of the desired shot compared to lead to get you in the ball park. Density is expressed in g/cubic cm. Volumetrically it will transfer. Reduce size by a little more than percent heavier. Then throw a shot charge and weigh it. When you find the bar that throws a little light of your target shot charge, ream it out. Then grind the label off the end and label what you have modified it to throw.

The biggest obstacle is finding a quality wad that will give the proper stack height for a good crimp.

Willie

[Drahthaar1108]

I use a Universal charge Bar ,they have been hard to find but Ballistic Products is making them now. Forrest

[jlw034]

I weigh my shot. I reload around 100 tungsten shells every year. Takes me about 2 hours. Time we'll spent.

[jarbo03]

Agree with weighing the shot, I do so on all high density and steel loads. I do use an adjustable charge bar with lead.

[orhunter]

I was at Ballistic Products yesterday and forgot to look for the charge bar. They didn't have in stock anything else I wanted. I did dig up 1500 209 primers from another fellow. Trading him pistol primers for the shotgun primers. Found some interesting shot, Nickle plated size 6 1/2. Nickle plated is kinda spendy to throw at Chukars. I did get a bag of Nickel plated 5's from Midway. I have a good supply of pheasant ammo so they're kind of in reserve. Haven't made the leap to Tungsten yet, don't really have a purpose. Haven't see any load data for it either but haven't looked very hard. Would need to know more about it before, load specific stuff and then find a purpose. Wish I could find my Hodgdon shotgun load book....

[Drahthaar1108]

You did good on the primers, everything is hard to find, and probably going to get worse. Forrest