A "Cast-Off" of sorts....

[blarby]

So, I was presented with a box of Winchester 12 GA 2.75", shells, in 1oz #8 shot 1290 FPS ( 3 1/4 dram ) from a friend today, with a request :

" What could you use these for, to make something cool with your casting stuff "

I know what I'm going to convert it as :

15 Shells with 9 .311 balls
and
10 Shells with 3 .311 balls and a 7/8th oz slug.

But, it made me wonder......... what else is out there ?


So, without further Adieu ......

What would you do with this box of shells, using your reloading gear, your casting gear on hand, and no additional components ?

 

[Muddydogs]

I would convert some clay birds to clay dust.

 

[Blackrock]

As would I.

 

[PACKIN' PLASTIC]

You really shouldn't pull down live shells unless they are unsafe to use, for one thing if you change anything they won't crimp right until you get the load height the same as it was.

10 Shells with 3 .311 balls and a 7/8th oz slug.

You can't just increase the payload 18% without developing a whole new load and this cannot be done without a pressure gun. If you want to play around with shotgun loads then buy some brass hulls and Goex FFG, very difficult to go wrong that way.

Anyway I would put them back as they were, it's a cheap, flimsy hull with a mono-wad and small charge of fast powder and is ideal for 1oz of birdshot to kill skeets.


PP

 

[blarby]

You can't just increase the payload 18% without developing a whole new load and this cannot be done without a pressure gun.

I disagree. I've done it many times, and it works just fine.

The 3 1/4 dram load pushes 1 1/8th oz just fine.

That load mentioned is almost exactly 500 grains - right between an ounce, and an ounce and an eigth.

You really shouldn't

We're way past that point here, and I'm far past that point in all actuality.

for one thing if you change anything they won't crimp right until you get the load height the same as it was.

Again, I disagree. Thats the nice thing about the WT12/WAA12 wad line- they are quite versatile.


As a final note to disagreement- we went and shot test loads of both types just now, today, and the end user thought they were fantastic.


Well walkies, if thats the best that gets mustered on this'n, go ahead and shutter it before it gets silly.

Could've been a fun excercise- like most things here starts going sideways well before its time has come.

 

[horsemen61]

Did they pattern well ?

 

[oneounceload]

Just shoot them from the 27 yard line or the 5-stand, and if they are AA hulls, reload them and do it again

 

[blarby]

Did they pattern well ?

YEs.

That 3 x 1 is one of my fav loads, btw.

 

[PACKIN' PLASTIC]

I disagree. I've done it many times, and it works just fine.

The 3 1/4 dram load pushes 1 1/8th oz just fine.

That load mentioned is almost exactly 500 grains - right between an ounce, and an ounce and an eigth.

Increasing payload increases pressure, since you have no way of knowing what powder they are using or what pressure you are creating you are stepping outside of safe reloading practices and taking foolish risks.

"works just fine" does not indicate safe practices any more than "hold my beer and watch this".



PP

 

[blarby]

safe practices

Well, thats a matter of opinion apparently- as I've demonstrated to myself that it is safe.

As a debbie downer in not one, but two of my threads now, I ask you what exactly would be required to make loads safe ? Does PP need to kiss them, or wave the wand over them ?

 

[PACKIN' PLASTIC]

Well, thats a matter of opinion apparently- as I've demonstrated to myself that it is safe.

A safe 2 3/4 12ga round as defined by SAAMI is one that produces no more than 11,500 psi. As we have no idea what pressure your custom loads are producing they are not safe.

What you have demonstrated to yourself is that these loads work in your shotgun and are thus you have deemed them "safe enough" to continue using them. I have no argument if you want to continue using such shells but you need to warn people before posting such information on a public forum where a new reloader might read it.


PP

 

[beatledog7]

All Internet advice should be carefully scrutinized--

--except the piece you just read.

 

[blarby]

All Internet advice should be carefully scrutinized--

I could not agree more. Free advice is worth exactly what you think its worth.

I think everyone should take a good read on the Dram, where it came from and how it evolved as a use of measure as it relates to shotguns. Antiquated as it is, it seems to work pretty well. It has the benefit of extrapolating up or down at a pretty regular rate, thats why it was used for so long. I actually prefer the Dram equivalent as opposed to the FPS system in shotgun shells, it tells a much better tale.