Reloading 16 ga.

M

masshunter

Active member
I just bought a lee Loadall to put together some coyote loads in # 4 buck and BB Since the buckshot won't flow, should I just try to weigh up to 1 1/8 oz, count that as my benchmark ?
Anybody load 16 ga. buck out there ? Also what about primers ?
I downloaded loads from Hodgdons site and they are very specific about primers. The first line in the lee directions says "any primer may be used." I've been reloadind rifle and pistol for over 40 years but never shotshell. Let me also say that I never have loaded hot, always near the beginning loads.But there seems not to be a "range"with shotshells. These will be fired in a 2003 Krieghoff Drilling and a 1955 mod 12. All the data puts pressures at from 10,100 to 11,000, using 800x and rem, fed, or win, 209 primers, and of course I have CCI. I don't need hot as I'll have the rifle bbl to reach out with. Also, has anyone ever loaded the 2 1/2 inch brass shells with smokeless ? I saw a guy on you tube doing it but everything else seems to say BP only. Thanks in advance
 
I load for a 16ga drilling (1926 Suhl built). Having the rifle barrel pretty much negates the need for really heavy shot, I've experimented with "F" and found it was too much dinking around to get good patterns. My got to predator load is 1 oz of NP BB's, works great. I load everything in Cheddite hulls(Herters are Ched. and Grafs and BP usually have them in stock) with Longshot powder with data from Ballistic Products "Advantage" manual. I pretty much handload all my predator shells, weigh the powder and shot charge and roll crimp the hull. I do have a MEC 600 set up for 2 1/2" that I size and prime them with and load all my target ammo with a star crimp.

16ga Driling Shotguned coyote


h2kMEy.jpg


And another

mF8Jow.jpg


I try and keep my loads in 8000 psi hence Long shot in the 16. I use 800x in my 1 1/4oz predator load in my 12ga combo guns.
 
Last edited:
Thanks, its hard to get anyone to ship any components to Mass. Only could find NP BB at Ballistc products, and have to get it shipped to my friend in NH. Midway took a cellphone picture of my LTC and will ship to me but they didn't have BB, though they sent the #4 buck. I have Rem SP16 hulls so was going to use them. Maybe if I can get the Cheddite hulls I'll load some short shells for my old Sauer Drilling. That's why I wondered about the brass cases. Combo guns are just made for coyote hunting !
 
Look into some #2 heavy shot to load your shotgun shells. The heavy shot #2 provides more energy than the lead BBs and more pellet in your load.
 
You can cut down standard 2 3/4 shell to 2 1/2". I take a piece of 2x4 cut it down to 2x2 1/2 then drill holes in it the size of 16ga shell. Stick the shell in the hole until the rim hits the block and cut off the excess sticking out the other side.

Here's a couple 16's left 2 1/2" roll crimped, right 2 3/4" star crimped, you can pretty much load 2 3/4 data in a 2 1/2" hull if you roll crimp.

[img:center][/img]

Hevi-shot is too hard to run through sxs barrels with tight fixed chokes.

If you have a Cabelas there in Mass. can you order Herters 16ga Shells through them and pick them up in the store, the Herters shells are Cheddite hull and have a lot of room in them with a plastic base wad straight walls. Do the Rems still have a paper base wad in them?
 
Last edited:
Thanks for the info on Hevi Shot, I had the right bbl opened from mod. to Ic. so now I have IC & Full
that I think is a better combo anyway. Now that I'm jumping into shot shell loading I'll probly start loading for my 12 ga guns.
The Cabelas here is an hour and a half away, and my friend in Newport NH is only two hrs away and I get to visit. The Cabelas in Ct is only about 35 miles away but the traffic sets the time.
The SP16 Rem. hulls are all plastic. I didn't check the Fed or Win. yet. Did you use a card wad with the roll crimp ?
Can I substitute primers for published loads ? or is that dangerous.
 
The only advantage I see in card wads is they are bio-degradeable, I use plastic wads. I do use a cardboard overshot card on roll crimped 16ga(that's all they make) and a frangible plastic one on he 12ga.

!2ga 2 1/2" waterfowl loads in cut down Rio Target hulls.

z0IpKV.jpg
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top