MEC Bushing Starters 12/20 gauge

[Vbravo]

Just starting out reloading shotshell. Trying to decide what MEC bushings should high on my list to buy now. I will be using a 600jr press. I have'nt decided on powder or primers, but interest is loading light 20/12 gauge recoil loads. Thank you for the help.

Victor

[Cheep]

You will need load data first, components second and that will predicate your bushings. Do you have a manual? If you do then pick the data that you will use then check the bushing chart and get 3 bushings, one below, the one called for and one above the charge stated in the data. Be sure you measure SEVERAL powder drops to make sure it matches the load data...Be careful and have fun.

[rsrocket1]

Also, be sure to use a scale to determine the real powder weights for each bushing. The Mec charts can be as much as 2 sized off.

Pick your powder, wad, primer, hull and figure out the load(s) you want to use. Yes, you need to nail down all 4 components to find the correct charge and unlike metallic loading, the case (hull) and primer brand makes a very important difference.

Get your bushing(s) and run several test drops by pulling the handle on the press as many times as you would doing a real load. With the 600jr, that means 5-6 time. What that does is shake the powder in the bottle to give you a realistic amount of packing of the powder into the bushing. Drop the powder into a fired hull and measure the weight.
Repeat this 5-10 times and you will have a realistic number for your load.

At that point, you can a) use that bushing knowing you have a realistic powder weight or b) go out and buy the correct bushing for the weight you really want to drop.

Shotshell loading is very different from metallic loading in that until you know the characteristics of the hull, primer, wad and powder, you need to stick to published load data because you don't "work up loads" as you do with rifle and pistol rounds.

For more info from very experienced loaders, check out the shotgunworld forums under the "Shotgun Reloading" section and I would highly recommend the Lyman Shotshell Reloading manual for instructions and data on reloading shotshells. Good luck.

[Bill Steele]

Also, be sure to use a scale to determine the real powder weights for each bushing. The Mec charts can be as much as 2 sized off.

Pick your powder, wad, primer, hull and figure out the load(s) you want to use. Yes, you need to nail down all 4 components to find the correct charge and unlike metallic loading, the case (hull) and primer brand makes a very important difference.

Get your bushing(s) and run several test drops by pulling the handle on the press as many times as you would doing a real load. With the 600jr, that means 5-6 time. What that does is shake the powder in the bottle to give you a realistic amount of packing of the powder into the bushing. Drop the powder into a fired hull and measure the weight.
Repeat this 5-10 times and you will have a realistic number for your load.

At that point, you can a) use that bushing knowing you have a realistic powder weight or b) go out and buy the correct bushing for the weight you really want to drop.

Shotshell loading is very different from metallic loading in that until you know the characteristics of the hull, primer, wad and powder, you need to stick to published load data because you don't "work up loads" as you do with rifle and pistol rounds.

For more info from very experienced loaders, check out the shotgunworld forums under the "Shotgun Reloading" section and I would highly recommend the Lyman Shotshell Reloading manual for instructions and data on reloading shotshells. Good luck.

That should just about cover it.

[NoNOS67]

That should just about cover it.

Yup. And don't forget, three different powders will likely require three different bushings to get the same charge weight. Never trust the charts, ALWAYS verify with a scale. If you find that you need a bushing in between two sizes, a dab or two of nail polish can be used to decrease the internal volume. Just make sure you let it dry first.

[Revoman]

What rsrocket said.

The bushings while getting you close to the correct charge weight are not exactly right per the MEC chart.

I have found many loads to be off by two or three bushing sizes. You might need to buy more than three, six might be the magic number.

You might consider numbers 31 thru 36 as a good start as there are many loads/powders within that particular range.....provided it's for 12 gauge that is.

[Sideline Shooter]

Another plus to ease your reloading headaches is to get a PC (pattern Control) powder baffle. It makes your powder drops more consistent.

http://www.recobstargetshop.com/browse.cfm/4,1374.html