12 gauge reloading question.

[Mossberg535]

I got into reloading for my 357 earlier this year, so I have a little understanding of reloading at this point.
I typically hunt squirrel, though I might try some grouse when the season starts.
I have looked around and dont see what Id really like to try as far as 12 gauge ammo goes.

Without (note withOUT) getting into a steel verses lead debate...or one about why I want to use steel...ie avoiding the topic of lead shot entirely...can someone with some 12 gauge reloading experience tell me if this is possible ?

Id like to try reloading 12 gauge and more specifically Im thinking Id like the following load (and to know if its something that can or cant be done).

1 1/4oz #5 Steel shot with a muzzle velocity of ~1350 fps

With my 38/357 loads using Unique powder I have a LOT of play room to go up or down for more or less speed and something I read said that shotguns may not work the same.

Is the above load possible in maybe a 3" shell ?
If so, Id like to use Unique powder since thats what Im used to and will want to stick with exclusively (personal preference).

Thanks in advance.

 

[oldreloader]

shotgun recipes are not variable like rifle and pistol are.Component changes result in drastic changes in pressures.IMO steel is even finickier than lead. Get a copy of "Status Of Steel " from Balistics Products and give it a thorough read.
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=00MSTEEL
that should give you a better understanding of what you want to do.

 

[Mossberg535]

Thanks

 

[rg1]

Here's one discussion on loading steel shot:
http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/4978/primers.html
Steel shot requires slower powders. Unique is not listed for use with steel shot in Lymans latest 5th edition shotshell manual. Steel shot also requires a special thicker wad. RSI, Precision Reloading PR, and BP Ballistic Products, are the only wads listed in the Lyman 5th.
I too would recommend BPI components for steel shot. They have data manuals for steel shot. I'd check their site plus maybe call them for info on their products and what hull, wad, powder, primer they recommend for your project.

 

[Riss]

Another book that I have heard is a must read for reloading is the Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook currently in the 5th or 6th edition.

 

[Mossberg535]

Thanks for the help guys

 

[snuffy]

Powder selection for steel shotshell loads is one word STEEL, as in alliant STEEL powder. Anything else is a waste of time. Yeah, I know, the slower burn rate powders like IMR 4756 and 7625 will work, but you won't get top velocity.

Why would you want to limit your 1¼ ounce load to 1350 fps? With steel powder in a 3" shell, you can easily get 1500 fps with a 1¼ ounce load.

The faster you can get steel moving, the better. It slows so fast you need high initial velocity.

 

[Mossberg535]

Thanks snuffy.
I saw the Alliant Steel last night on their site. All their recipes for steel seem to use it so I guess I will get that for the steel if i end up going this route.
Not really sure I want to limit the fps for any reason other than recoil, but since even the top end loads Ive shot seem to be easily handled with these recoil pads so I dont think thats going to be a factor, so 1500fps would be fine too

Im still trying to decide if I want to go this route. Theres a guy who reloads across town that I might be willing to just pay to reload what Id like. I dont really trust using reloads by anyone else, but maybe I should get past that and let an expert do it instead...especially since it means Id have to buy another press and equipment for what will end up being 10 shells a week thru the hunting season. Not really sure if its worth the investment.

 

[Mossberg535]

I have a REALLY stupid question here, so please try to keep down your lunches here.

Lets say I go buy a 10lb bag of #5 STEEL shot like I want to use and a scale and measure out 1-1/4 oz of shot.
Now lets say I go buy a box of 1-1/4oz steel shells that have the velocity Im looking for.
Now lets say I successfully open a shell, remove only the steel shot, leaving everything else perfectly intact, replace the steel shot with the same weight of steel shot I removed, then somehow successfully close up the shell again back to something close its original condition.
Is this going to blow my gun up ?
Thoughts ?

The reason Im thinking like this is because firstly I dont waste a few hundred bucks buying equipment for a box of shells (which honestly I may go thru two boxes in an entire season since I rarely take my limit...two squirrels a week is frankly enough for me to eat )
Secondly, if the load is already perfected in the box of shells I bought, my just replacing one size shot for another (lets say I buy #2 or #4 steel and replace it with the #5 Ive purchased) seems to not be too huge a deal.

Again, this is just some thoughts and a question. I realize some arent going to like it just because, but Im asking about the REAL hazards here, not about personal tastes.
Would this work for a box or two of shells that I typically use in a season ?

Thanks a ton in advance.

 

[Mossberg535]

Let me be honest here.
Ive done this same sort of thing way back when with lead shot, but I realize that steel is a different sort of beast for whatever reason. So Im wondering if its going to be 'ok' like it was with the lead shot we used to swap out.

 

[rcmodel]

Maybe a stupid question, but.
Why do you want to use steel shot for squrrel hunting?

If you shoot less then two boxes a year, just buy #5 lead loads.

They will kill better anyway.

rc

 

[Mossberg535]

Maybe a stupid question, but.
Why do you want to use steel shot for squrrel hunting?

Actually I like it after shooting it a bit. My patterns are more consistent overall and I dont have hardly any flyers like I did with lead. Even without a choke at all the steel seems to lay out a really nice, uniform pattern.
Other than that, I guess I just like the idea of using steel over lead

Ive got a ton of lead #6 that Ive been killing squirrel with for years, so its not an issue of not having it.
I really just want to use steel "because"...no absolute set reason, I suppose.

 

[Mossberg535]

Let me throw in here that I am in NO way condemning lead or saying that anyone else should switch or be forced to use steel just because I have chosen to use it.
The decision was mine to make and I made it. MY choice should not be used to affect any other hunters decisions. Most hunters love lead over steel and I respect that. They have good reasons to feel the way they do and if I hunted waterfowl Id probably be just as adamant about lead being better.
I'll fight for the right to use lead as hard as the next guy. I just personally am ok with steel so far. Maybe its brain death, maybe its ignorance, not sure either way.

That all said, Im still interested in knowing if swapping out #4 shot with #5 shot of the same weight will work as well as it did with lead when we used to do it (for pretty much the same reasons...cant find the exact load we want).

 

[Mossberg535]

My wife has some really cool tools for working on jewelry that made it easy to open up a shell take out the 1-1/8oz of steel #4 shot and replace it with exactly 1-1/8oz of #6 Steel shot.
They closed back up so well that you cant even tell they were ever opened up.
If it works as well as the lead then Im going to see if I can find a bag of #5 shot to use instead. I did 4 shells so I can check the pattern on a couple and maybe use the other 2 to see if I can get a squirrel or not.

I did see Kent or one of the other companies who had the HV #6 shot but when I was trying to see how much the shipping was from their site it wanted me to put in my CC info before it would give me shipping cost or a total....I dont order from any company who refuses to give me a total before asking me for personal information. Seems to be a bit dishonest, quite frankly. Is the shipping $10....or $40.

Anyway, I'll see today or tomorrow if these pattern well or not, depending on if it rains this morning.