o/t... need walkthrough on reloading steel shot 12ga.

[rufracer]

Im brand new to reloading shotshells.

Im starting with F .220" steel shot, and want full power hunting loads. Im leaning towards aliant steel w/claybuster aa12 1 1/2 oz wads. ANY advice is welcome.

I also have a 25lbs of surplus pistol powder 15% faster than AA#7 that i would like to use if possible.

[shotman]

Well first -- steel shot uses a STEEL type wad. reg wads will not work. so if you are going to use steel you need the right wad . they run about twice the price. Dont try the steel in a reg wad or you wont have a nice shiney bore

[Johnch]

I load 6-700 rounds of steel shot every year

As Shotman said
USE ONLY STEELSHOT WADS !!

Steel powder is the #1 powder , even if it is a PITA as you need to weigh each charge

Allaint has some nice free loads at http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloaders/default.aspx

I personaly load 2 3/4" 1 oz , 3" 1 3/16 oz and 3.5" 1 3/8 oz
As I personaly feel the high speed loads kill a lot better

Also better check
I thought F was made elegal a few years back , I could be wrong
But check

For geese , BBB or T work fwell or me when I pass shoot
B or BB for decoying geese

John

[runfiverun]

when yyou buy a bag of sam-1 wads they come with load data.
follow it, it even tells you which hulls to use.
changing hulls can be dangerous.

[rufracer]

what wads are the best bang for the buck? midway sells F shot, so i dont think its illegal.

[Johnch]

OK I did a little research
F and TT is band in a number of states , so check your state
But not in all States , or by the USF&W

Just a FYI
Be carefull , don't over choke it
Scratched chokes are easy to get

From my load notes , a slower load like 1300 FPS patterned best in the 870 and I used a IC choke to get my best patterns

I used to load

24 gr of 800 X
3" SAM 1 wad with a 1/8 felt spacer in the base ( spacer only if needed , depending on shot size )
1 1/4 oz of shot
1300 fps
Listed as 10,900 LUP


When I went to Steel powder
I used
3" Win Steel shot hulls ( White plastic base )
Win 209
36 GR of Steel powder ( many times 35 gr patterned much better )
3" SAM 1 wad with a 1/8 felt spacer in the base ( spacer only if needed , depending on shot size )
Listed as 1425 FPS with 36 gr of Steel , I only got 1350 FPS and 1300 FPS with the 35 Gr load
Listed as 8,000 PSI

Only use once fired hulls

If you are going to use other 3" hulls
I have load data for most of them
Just PM me

John