doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com cost to reload 12b 2 1/2" shells?

Precision Reloading sells new 2 1/2" primed Cheddite hulls in 12 & 16 gauge. See link below.

https://www.precisionreloading.com/cart.php#!q=cheddite

I cannot give you a price on 2 1/2" reloads but my 2 3/4" using 3/4 oz. was below $4.00. That is using Red Dot(at the time, Claybuster wads and Eagle Brand shot. This was a few years ago when reloading prices were not as high as now.

I use 12 ga. 2 1/2" hulls for my vintage 1892 Greener. I cut the shells in my drill press using a dowel turned down to fit inside the hull and set the height next to a block holding a box cutter, push the cutter against the hull and it parts it smoothly.
This picture shows me cutting 20 gauge hulls to 2 1/2".

I roll crimp the 12 gauges with an old hand roll crimper, I find it faster than the one in the drill press.

These are 16 gauge done in the drill press using 2 1/2" 16 ga. Cheddites (bought)


As to using a spacer, I made one out of 1/4" aluminum and put it underneath my 600 Jr.

Well, not to be a party pooper, if you could use light and low pressure 2 3/4" loads in 2 1/2" guns, would you? Guess what!! You can. The main purpose of the 2 3/4" hull was to allow the loads used in ye 'ol� 2 1/2" hull to be loaded into a folded/pie crimp case. Then, you can use compression formed hulls which will be good for several loads each. No surgery on hulls. No spacers or kits on your press. Oh, yes, go ahead and reload anyway. The savings and custom. Light loads are well worth it.

DDA

You can use longer hulls and many do, it,depends. AAs measure 2 11/16 many 2 1/2 inch chambers measure 2 5/8. 1/16 inch "too long". Not telling anybody what to do but I think 12 G AAs do fine in 2 5/8 chambers.

Almost all my short loading is 2 7/8 inch 10 G were I have to cut 5/8 inch off the hull. I had a 20 SxS that needed short now have two that don't. Stopped cutting 12s shorter.

Saving money ? Case of 100 2 7/8 inch 10 g, $ 120 dollars. Load them using the Mec with short kit 25 cents a shell.

Boats

JDW, I also find that the old hand cranked roll crimper low tech approach is efficient and more than satisfactory for my needs with a bonus of minimal storage space. I have them in all gauges but use them primarily in .410, 20 and 16. In the past, I have loaded 16 for snipe at the rate of about a box an hour as I weigh each charge and load. I don't need as many shells for woodcock or turkey. I have yet to have the courage to mount the crimper in the horizontal as you do, but mount it vertically on a clamped board with the crimper head on top. Gil

The "short kit" for a MEC will work on either a 600 or a Sizemaster. You can switch from 2.75 to 2.5" in seconds. I've switched from roll crimp to Hartin crimps for my 2.5". As to saving money, you will have to shoot A LOT to recoup the cost of equipment. I look at handloading much the same as fly tying, the pleasure of my handloads out performing factory stuff and the ability to load specific loads I can not buy. Handloading has always been a hobby in and of itself for me.

I think Chuck H. said it best when he wrote practicality disappears when a hunter drives past the first KFC on his way to the hunt. Gil

Cobbhead,
I could not find a Short Kit for a 12 gauge Sizemaster to convert 2 3/4 " to 2 1/2". I looked again, same result - did not see one.
I may contact them directly and see what that turns up.

And absolutely: "the pleasure of my handloads out performing factory stuff and the ability to load specific loads I can not buy."

Jolly

The part number is 1008850 for the short kit. Mecs phone number is 1-800-797-4632. I can reload a box of 12ga 3/4oz loads for under $4 a box, but I buy in volume through our club and there's no shipping or sales tax.

Jolly,
My shortkit, purchased from BPI I believe, is simply a 1/4" steel plate that fits under the spring and shell holding plate. The offical nae appears to be "Quick hull length converter". I do know it works on my 600 20 ga. and Sizemaster 12 ga. Simply relieve the spring pressure and slip the plate under the shell holder plate. No need buy new dies. Happen to have a BPI brochure under my elbow....part number you're looking for is MEC 1308849. $25.99 from BPI. Likely cheaper from Amazon or Ebay if you're so inclined.