mec 12 gauge reloader

[shotgun707]

What are some good loads and powder to load..and hunting loads

[RaymondMillbrae]

That is a VERY GENERAL QUESTION!!

Do you compete, shoot skeet/trap, hunt?

If you hunt, what do you hunt? (Deer, elk, fowl, bear...ground squirrels).

Have you ever reloaded before?

Do you want to home-roll 00-Buck, trap loads, sabot loads?

If you are new to shotshell reloading, drop-in on SHOTGUNWORLD (click on link), and hang around there for a little while. Good site, good info.

But like ANY internet forum...beware. There are fools out there who love to offer foolish advice. And be especially careful if you are new, and cannot (yet) seperate the bad advice from the good advice.

If I had one thing to tell you, I woud recommend that you purchase the LYMAN SHOTSHELL RELOADING HANDBOOK. (Not sure if there is a 6th edition out yet). It will give you everything you need to start on the right foot.

Best wishes, shooter.

In Christ: Raymond

[shotgun707]

i hunt duck and pheasant and shoot trap

[bumpo628]

I second the point above on the Lyman book.

Also, I would add that you should follow the suggested load data exactly. Don't substitute powders as they are vastly different. Try to use the same wads and primers in the recipe too.

As for a brand of powder, Alliant Promo in 8 lb cans is a good place to start.

[Revoman]

Third on a good book to find not only recipes, but how to.

RCBS puts out a really good shotshell reloading book, I know, I know, RCBS is known for it's metallic loader the 'Rockchucker', but trust me, they put out a really good shotshell book too.

Follow the recipes as stated, use only the components that are included in that particular recipe that you have chosen. Shot size doesn't matter in the load too much unless you planning on using very large shot.

Don't be fooled by some bad advise as Raymond said, it's out there.

Gain as much knowledge as possible before loading, if someone that reloads is close by, ask if you can 'be an apprentice' for a little while to learn the ropes.

The good part is that it's hard to to double powder charge as the shot will overflow. The bad part is that there are great pressures present so you gotta use and follow the recipes.....at least until you understand what's up.

[bumpo628]

I forgot to mention one more thing about the powder.

When I started, I looked online for a powder that could be used for pistol and shotgun. I thought "Great, now I'll only have to stock one powder for both!" So I bought a couple pounds of Unique. The problem is that there was no load data for Unique with 7/8 or 1 oz loads - only 1 1/8 oz. I tried to figure out how much to put in there. It's a good thing I talked to a guy at reloading shop and he set me straight. I could have blown up the gun.

If there is no load data for the components that you have, then do not experiment. Buy new components and use the published recipes.