Basic Components For Steel Shot Reloading...

[BCB]

Hi all,

I need a bit of help to achieve the simplest components to reload steel shot in 2 ¾ “ hulls,  I have the old AA hulls and some of the Activ Plastic hulls.  I also have several other types of hulls, but I thought I would mention just 2 in an effort to keep it simple.  It appears, from the data I am reading, the AA will be better for 1 1/8 ounce loads.  I wish to only purchase the minimum components so that is why I am asking here.  I will probably purchase the components for Midway or Midsouth, although Ballistic Products might be a better source?  I do reload all types of shot shells, but with lead shot…

What would be the minimum stuff to purchase to reload either hull?  I have all powders that would fill the bill.  And, I am going to be loading them one at a time using a Lee Load All.  I will use it strictly to seat the wad and apply the crimp.  All other things will be done using a scale to weigh the shot and powder—no bushings.  This is sort of an experiment with steel shot and if it works O.K., I may pursue it with more vigor.

Any help would be appreciated…

Thanks…BCB

[Graybeard]

Perhaps you assume too much. One being that you already have the proper powders.

First up get loading recommendations from a reputable data source and then verify that you do. I honestly dunno but am not sure our same powders work that well. Ballistics Products is the proper source for all of it loading data, shot, wads and all. Get their catalog or look online and begin by finding out the load data then get the stuff needed.

[bilmac]

Choose your load then get exactly what it calls for, no substitutions. Steel is different than lead, it is very exacting, can't even substitute primers. I might suggest that you count your shot. Easier than weighing. Get a small pistol or rifle primer tray and tape off the number of holes so that he uncovered holes hold the number of shot you want. You may have to do 1/2 the number and dip twice. Much easier than weighing all these little round things. I wouldn't mess with #4 shot. Doesn't pattern well for lots of folks. I started with #3s and they worked all right, but then I loaded some #2s and was getting as many of then in the circle as 3s so I switched.

[BCB]

Greybeard,

Yep, I realize that steel is much different than reloading lead shot.  I thought that by asking if anyone had a recommendation, I could possibly get a recipe that was the exact shot column height to allow for a very good crimp.  As I said, it is likely that I do have many of the components that I will need, but I will have to by the wad or material to form the wad and the shot.  I was hoping for a single wad as opposed to all the felt stuff and shot cards; although I do have shot cards that I used to adjust shot column height when loading lead shot...  It is also likely that I do have a powder listed in a proven recipe as I have 62 powders in my reloading supplies and many are used with handgun cartridges—many of these powders are crossovers and can be used with shotgun loads.  I also have the Lyman Shot Shell manuals and an older BP pamphlet, but a recent BP pamphlet would be useful.

I just hate to purchase components and not have the proper shot column height and then get a lousy crimp.  And, as we all know, even the listed recipes don’t necessarily produce a shot column that allows for a good tight crimp.

bilmac,

Yep, the empty primer trays is a good idea for counting shot.  I have used that method for getting the correct number of copper plated pellets in some of my duplex loads.  It does work well.  But I don’t know if I would have thought to used it with the steel or not—now I will.  I appreciate the suggestion on shot size also as I really don’t want to purchase a bunch of bags of different size shot.  I sort of want an all around size that might be effective on ducks at moderate ranges—no long range hero shots!!!

Thanks, and so it goes…BCB

[dakotashooter2]

First get one of the "steel" loading manuals from BPI. That will give you a selection of recipies to chose from. You get a discount on the manual if you order wads or steel shot with it. While some "single" wad loads are listed many require multiple wad components to get the load you want. Some data is very specific to shot size. The Hogdon Annuals generally list some steel loads also. It go with the #2s for an all around load.

[bilmac]

It's been awhile since I was loading steel, but all the loads I used, you didn't have to tinker with the wad column. You used this one piece wad cup, and everything fit. If it didn't fit you were probably doing something wrong, and you don't want to do that when loading steel.