shotshell reloading

[Chaosh1]

I'm new to shotshell reloading. I have a mec9000 and currently loading
win AA
16.3g of 700x
clay buster wad
cheddite primer.


what is the significance of the wad pressure?

what should it be?

what does it affect?

[MrElectric03]

I'd like to learn as well. Never wanted to load shells other than slugs but found a 12ga 9000g locally for $200 and couldn't pass it up.

I feel like will focus the force when the powder is ignited and compress the load. I need to find a booo on it but am not in a big rush to get going.

[rg1]

Main reason for wad pressure is for getting a good fold and crimp. But you do want the wad to seat against the powder charge snugly. Small shot and lighter shot charges and wad pressure would be low but you still want some wad pressure I'd say up to 25-30 lbs. Lyman says at least 20 lbs pressure minimal seating the wad and to watch the pressure indicator for safety reasons. If for instance a hull had no powder or a very low charge the needle wouldn't move. Some loads with 1 1/4 oz. of shot or higher with large #5 or bigger shot requires up to 75 lb. with my press and components. It's all about getting the shot into the hull and getting a good crimp and if you're not getting a good crimp you may have to adjust the pressure higher or lower. No wad pressure on the powder and you'd get blooper loads with very low velocity. Just use the exact components listed in the load manual and don't change anything. Not familiar with your load with your components but 16.3 doesn't sound like a book load? Most loads in Lyman's Shotshell Handbook are 1/2 grain increments for instance 17.0 grains or 17.5 grains for instance. Just be careful and use book charges and the exact components listed. Not like reloading rifle and pistol at all where you work up loads. Sometimes hard to find exact loads using a particular primer, hull, and wad. Don't change to a different primer, wad, or raise and lower charges unless they are in the book.

[Carcassonne]

I'm new to shotshell reloading. I have a mec9000 and currently loading
win AA
16.3g of 700x
clay buster wad
cheddite primer.


what is the significance of the wad pressure?

what should it be?

what does it affect?

I don't think wad pressure matters very much with the plastic wads. It was originally used with the felt/card wads to compress the powder and give the proper space for the shot. The plastic wads have a cushion/spring section. Chances are when you push the wad into the hull, and withdraw the tube, the wad will come partially out. Some wads require you to "break the spine". That means to just compress the wad's spring/cushion.



.

[shootfitasc]

Wad Pressure

You do not need wad pressure, as stated above the reference was used for felt wads.
Which wad and what is the shot charge you plan to use?
You do not need to shoot 1oz or 1-1/8oz for skeet, 16 yd trap or most sporting clays. 7/8 oz will be fine. You would be surprised what 3/4oz of #9s at 1300 fps will do to sporting targets out to 40yds.

Have fun.

[JagerDog]

Modern wads don't need wad pressure. Many like to set the ram to just "tickle" the spring gauge as a witness. You CAN crush the wad a bit to get more room to crimp, but a better solution is a recipe with a proper stack height. As well, the shells may tent up while sitting on the shelf.

[Revoman]

Correct, wad pressure is pretty much a thing of the past with plastic wads. If you use wad pressure you will actually crush the section of the plastic wad that is helping take up recoil.