doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com reloading steel

I have a MEC 600 Jr. that I've used for years and have loaded nothing but lead shot. Aside from shot, wads and probably powder what else do I need to start loading steel? What new pieces for my press will I need and what will it do? I will be loading 12 ga and 20 ga with small shot for small birds (dove, woodcock, etc. and clays).

Thanks,

Jack K

Jack,
You can, and I would, leave the Mec exactly as it sits. I'd highly recommend a scale, preferably digital, to measure both shot and powder. Steel loads are both touchier about exact measurements and neither shot nor powder meter well in my experience. I consider loading steel shotshells to be very much like metallic reloading. Use the Mec for size/deprime, repriming and crimping. If you've not looked into procedures, take a look at Ballistic Products website and buy a "Status of Steel" handbook. A good read that will answer lots of questions and includes hundreds of loads to meet most any need.

A piece of good advice, read the handbook BEFORE you load up on supplies!

Steve

I'm considering reloading steel also. I'll get that handbook. I think the Alliance powder "Steel" maybe the one to go to. I've also been thinking of looking into a hevi-shot steel combo like the hevi steel folks are putting out, but that may be too complex a reload. Another item I am watching is Winchester's square shot venture. They are loading 1 3/8 oz into a 3" steel, 1/8 oz more then the usual max of 1 1/4 oz usually found in a 3". This gives the 3" the load of current 3 1/2" shot shells. They are driving their load at 1400 fps muzzle. Normally I consider the higher speeds a waste because the column goes subsonic after about 20 yards. But in this case Winchester may be on to something. With the sonic bow wave preceding the column there will be little air resistance encountered by the individual square pellets until the shock wave breaks up at about 20 to 25 yards, then the wind resistance on the square pellets will cause them to diverge. Thus killing zone of 30 to 40 yards should have some pretty decent patterns.
This is all theory, only the pattern board and the hunt will prove them. Will the square shot become available for reloading and can the square shot be vibrated in to place by us amateurs are questions to which I have no answer. Hopefully, if successful, the Winchester square shot shotshells will come down in price.

Steve,

Thanks for the input. I realized after I posted the message that I didn't ask about any reading or reference material (that was pretty dumb of me). Have already requested BP's catalog so next step will be to order Status of Steel. Already have an older balance beam scale so it's probably time to upgrade that as well. I will read the handbook before ordering any supplies.

Pooch,
I agree that the Winchester square shot idea looks more than interesting and time (a good hunting season or 2) will tell just how effective those shot loads really are. If they do pan out as being more effective than regular steel loads I doubt Winchester will be selling components. They would want to keep on making the propriatary ammo at higher prices and keep any possibility of lawsuit minimal especially from a handloaders mistake.

Jack K

The 1 &3/8oz-3"-12ga Load was available from Remington (1375fps) at one time. I found the #3 Steel shot load of this to be exceptionally well balanced in terms of energy vs pattern. My gun was choked .oo8 & .018 for steel. Unfortunately it got dropped in favor of a faster 1.25oz load.

As I recall Rem offered their Duplex Steel loads in 12/3" 1-1/4 and 1-3/8oz. Don't remember fps, but pretty sure I have some of these loads sitting on a shelf. Would have been from around 1998 or so. These came in BBx1, BBx2, 2x6, and few others. Pretty decent loads for their time.

LEAD FOREVER AND FOR EVERYTHING!!!

(sorry, but just couldn't resist it)

Jack, if you are loading for small birds and targets there are loads possible with STEEL powder that are fairly low pressure and with an ounce of shot will kill to 40 yds.If this is of interest
PM me and I'll forward the recipe.I have used this load on decoying ducks with good results.
Terry
P.S. Sorry Joe, I hate steel too but the Federallys have their office about a mile from my hunting shack....

I'm like Cobbhead and weigh the steel shot. I use a plastic tube of known weight that holds just a bit more than what is desired. I dip the shot from a bowl, skim off level with my finger, dump the shot into the tube and put it on the flat pan of my gram scale. Then I dribble the last few pellets to balance the scale and dump the shot into the case. I do throw my powder charges however.

I agree Joe. Too bad we bombed the ball bearing factory in Schweinfurt.