Newb to shotshell reloading questions

[Thecrazyone1]

Why would the amount of powder be different for a 1oz load of lead vs a 1oz load of steel using the same type of shell, same type of powder, same wad...?

Also, what's the best brand / type of powder / most affordable to start off with?

Is is safe to start off making rounds with less powder than a recepie suggests? Kind of like they do with pistol calibers how they start off 10% and increase till they get the results they want...?

[rsrocket1]

Until you are really experienced and know exactly what you are doing, you should not substitute anything from the published recipes provided.
Why?
Hulls:
They vary greatly on the internal construction and volume. Tapered vs Straight walled, base construction (paper or plastic)
Primers:
Huge difference in the power depending on brand and type. Can make a difference in pressures by more than 25%
Wads:
Very big difference in stack height and shot cup size. Additionally, a wad meant for lead might allow steel shot to scratch the barrel
Shot:
Steel is less dense and takes up more space in the hull than lead for the same weight. That leaves less room for the wad and powder.

Shotshell resulting pressure: Obviously you know the consequences of too high a pressure, but you won't see any evidence of excessive pressure until it is way too late.

Too low a pressure: Unbuned powder residue in your gun and action, "bloopers" that go woosh rather than bang, poor cold weather performance, inconsistent velocities with terrible shot patterns, and the most dangerous, a stuck wad in your barrel. It comes out with the lightest tap of a dowel, but if you leave it in there will result in a bulged barrel which ruins it.

Lots of good reloading information on this sight. Go through the stickies, read the archives, filter out the flames and digest the facts and you will be a well informed shotshell reloader.

For a start, try a pound of Red Dot. If you like it, get an 8# jug of Promo which loads like Red Dot by weight, not volume and is a lot cheaper. I like Hodgdon Clays, which is more expensive but burns cleaner at the low pressure end and works well for low weight (3/4 oz 12 gauge skeet) loads. I also love it for light recoiling pistol rounds.

[Bill Steele]

I agree with everything the rocket posted above, except I would not launch off and buy some powder, wads, etc.

You need to decide what you are loading for as the optimal components (hulls, wads, primers, powder, shot type) will vary greatly from load to load. If you approach it that way, you won't have a bunch of powders and wads laying around you end up not using.

I would wander over to shotgun world dot com and read those forums for a while, maybe ask a few questions. Lots of experience there with every conceivable shotgun load.

Good luck, have fun.

[AAShooter]

. . .

For a start, try a pound of Red Dot. If you like it, get an 8# jug of Promo which loads like Red Dot by weight, not volume and is a lot cheaper. I like Hodgdon Clays, which is more expensive but burns cleaner at the low pressure end and works well for low weight (3/4 oz 12 gauge skeet) loads. I also love it for light recoiling pistol rounds.

I am with rsrocket. I shoot primarily clay targets and occasional hunting. I load Hodgdon Clays and have for years. I know when I first started I shot 700X. As I recall it is very economical; however, I switched to Hodgdon Clays and have never looked back. A lot depends on what specific loads you are trying to create.

Go find a trap, skeet, or sporting clays range and you can probably find someone to help you get started. I know they demo reloading at Bass Pro shops and the NRA does have a class for shotshell reloading.

[AAShooter]

Also, realize that your reloader will be set up differently for steel than for lead. One designed for lead will require modifications.

[Thecrazyone1]

Was planning on trying to make some less than lethal rounds... Bean bags or rock salt. I know I would have to drastically decrease the amount of powder but also don't want a bean bag to get stuck in my barrel.

[CSACANNONEER]

Do you want to load it just to see if you can or to actually use it in a HD gun. If it's the later, you really need to think twice. First, there is no such thing as "Less than lethal" rounds. The closest you can come is "Less lethal". Even blanks can be lethal!!!!!! Also, since you are not trained in how/when to properly use less lethal rounds and you probably won't have the proper back up if you were ever to use it, it's just a bad idea for an untrained person to even consider using it for SD/HD. Finally, as far as load development goes, leave that until you have considerable experience handloading and actually understand what you are doing. The 10% less thing you are talking about is only a rule when only a max load is published. Many other sources list both min and max loads. In those cases, you start with the min load and not 10% less than min. Undercharging a cartridge can be just as dangerous as overcharging one.


BTW, did the doctor ever get all those 6mm platic balls out of you nose?