Mec JR reloading quiestion

[Duffy]

dovehunter:

Thanks for your advice, I appreciate it. Once I have everything set up, I'll check that #32; I planned on verifying charges with my scale eanyway, both at first and during reloading sessions. Maybe I'll need to get one or two other larger bushings.

I won't be reloading 20s anytime soon, but when I'm ready, that is a good excuse to get more equipment, at least in my mind. If my wife questions it, I'll just refer her to this thread! Seriously, you make a good point for making things easier.

I already have Lyman's guide on order from Midway, I've heard that is THE guide to get, though I already have Rick Sapp's Reloading for Shotgunners and downloads from Alliant and Federal. No such thing as too much information.

One question: What makes shot "target grade"? Is #8 West Coast shot, 5% antimony much the same?

Thanks.

[dovehunter]

Originally Posted by Duffy

...One question: What makes shot "target grade"? Is #8 West Coast shot, 5% antimony much the same?...

The place where I buy my shot now carries only the Lawrence brand. They used to carry Remington too. In both brands the store stocked two kinds of shot: essentially hunting shot (don't remember what it was called) and extra-hard target grade shot. Both brands had "Target Grade" and "Extra Hard" stamped on the bag. Obviously the target grade was more expensive so, being a tight was, when I first started loading I used the cheaper shot. Once when I needed shot they only had the more expensive target grade shot, so I bit the bullet and bought 25 lbs. The first time I used my reloads with the target grade shot I noticed a pronounced decrease in the shots expended per bird downed. I was also able to connect better at longer ranges. It made a believer out of me and I have been using the higher grade shot ever since. I'm not familiar with the West Coast brand. You may want to ask someone knowledgeable at the store if that is a better grade of shot suitable for skeet and/or trap. Alas a lot of the bigger stores these days only hire "clerks" who seem to be long on worthless opinions and short on real knowledge.

[Duffy]

Well said. Thanks.

[cordell]

Duffy,
Just back in from "the room", I have a spare #30 and #33 charge bar bushing if you would like them drop me a PM with your address and I will get them in the mail Monday (I am booked solid tomorrow). I was hoping for a #31 and #33 but did not have a duplicate of the #31 sorry.

Looks like you have been in good hands with dovehunter, the hard shot will give you an edge in some circumstances. I still have one unopened bag of the "old" Lawrence 7 1/2 shot and use it for quail mostly.

Tell me more about your lure collecting? Our pond finally thawed and I almost tried to drown a few crank baits this afternoon, but ended up hauling donkey manure for the garden and ran out of light. Well maybe we will have another 60+ degree day soon. Take care and God bless.

[Duffy]

Originally Posted by cordell

Just back in from "the room", I have a spare #30 and #33 charge bar bushing if you would like them drop me a PM with your address and I will get them in the mail Monday.

Thank you very much, cordell. PM sent to you this morning.

Originally Posted by cordell

Tell me more about your lure collecting?

I've got a few, certainly not an extensive collection, but fun anyway. I'll post in the Fishing Forum.

[fabsroman]

Originally Posted by Duffy

Well said. Thanks.

The higher quality shot will have more antimony in it. I believe 5% antimony is pretty good, so what you have should work well.

I have some West Coast extra hard shot, which is their premium shot. Essentially, you want somewhat hard shot so that it will not deform under the pressures of firing. This is actually explained pretty well in the Lyman manual, which I think is the best shotgun reloading manual I have ever read. Essentially, when shot deforms it gets spots on it that are flat. These flat parts will rotate around with the air passing around the shot and when they catch an edge they will fling that piece of shot out of the pattern. So, the harder, less deformed shot tend to give fuller patterns with less fliers in them.

One of the reasons that Hevi-Shot patterns really well is because it isn't completely round, but tear drop shaped, which is one of the most aerodynamic shapes for going through the air. Essentially, that little tail end of the shot keeps it going in a straight line and there are very few fliers with Hevi-Shot. Not to mention that it is as hard, or harder, than steel and doesn't deform in the least bit.

Read the Lyman manual and it will open your eyes to a lot of shotgun reloading.

[Duffy]

Originally Posted by fabsroman

Read the Lyman manual and it will open your eyes to a lot of shotgun reloading.

I ordered it along with a few other items this weekend from Midway. Looking forward to it!

[cordell]

Hello Duffy,
The bushings left here Wednesday morning, and I posted one of my old lures on the fishing forum to get things started . Take care and God bless.