Another shotgun reloading question -- Magnum Load shot vs "Regular"

[johng]

Hello again,

So in my quest to actually be able to reload my first shotgun shell sometime in the next century I have acquired the following:

#1) Remington 209P STS Primers
#2) WT12 Orange Wads
#3) Lee Load All-2 Press
#4) Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook: 5th Edition
#5) Free, 2010 edition of the Alliant Reloading Manual available online

My question is when consulting the reloading manuals I see if I want to reload for trap shooting 1 1/8 oz shot but when I search the Net for 1 1/8 oz shot to order I only come up with "Magnum" varieties.  I found this to be the case on Midway USA and also Wideners.... 

The question to all the experienced shotgun reloaders is are these two kinds of shot "interchangeable"?  Meaning is it safe to use the reloading data in the manual for 1 1/8 oz "regular" shot for the "mangum" shot I have been able to find online? 

Ideally I would like to just use "regular" 1 1/8 oz trap shot but can't find any.....

Thanks!!  Appreciate your guys' help...just want to make sure of what I am doing here!   

Cheers,

Jg

[wadu1]

Hello again,

So in my quest to actually be able to reload my first shotgun shell sometime in the next century I have acquired the following:

#1) Remington 209P STS Primers
#2) WT12 Orange Wads
#3) Lee Load All-2 Press
#4) Lyman Shotshell Reloading Handbook: 5th Edition
#5) Free, 2010 edition of the Alliant Reloading Manual available online

My question is when consulting the reloading manuals I see if I want to reload for trap shooting 1 1/8 oz shot but when I search the Net for 1 1/8 oz shot to order I only come up with "Magnum" varieties.  I found this to be the case on Midway USA and also Wideners.... 

The question to all the experienced shotgun reloaders is are these two kinds of shot "interchangeable"?  Meaning is it safe to use the reloading data in the manual for 1 1/8 oz "regular" shot for the "mangum" shot I have been able to find online? 

Ideally I would like to just use "regular" 1 1/8 oz trap shot but can't find any.....

Thanks!!  Appreciate your guys' help...just want to make sure of what I am doing here!   

Cheers,

Jg

I'll PM you with current SAMMI choices with the components you have. Give me thirty minutes or so. The loads will be out of the manuals provided by the manufacturers

[wadu1]

Start here http://www.hodgdonreloading.com/

[bobcat]

The shot called "magnum" is still just regular lead shot, it's probably just better quality, meaning it is harder, and won't deform as much as the cheaper shot. It will therefore provide tighter and more consistent patterns, which is better for both trap shooting and hunting.

[wadu1]

You will need to know what hulls you are going to be using and what powder.
My standard trap load; Winchester AA hulls, 18.2 grains Clays, WA12 Wad and Win 209 primers = 1200 FPS this is from the "Basic Reloading Manual". I would be getting one of these manuals, should be free by asking, phone 613-362-1307 or help@hodgdon.com.

[CP]

As far as load data goes lead shot is lead shot.  It makes no difference if it is magnum or chilled, the data applies to both.

[wadu1]

Bobcat and CB are correct no difference in the loading recipes. Magnum shot usually has more antimony making it harder than standard shot. When you by higher end ammo like Federal Gold Medal, Remington STS/NITRO, or Winchester AA's they all use magnum type shot, they are not the only ones who do so. I like to shoot RIO Super Handicap hard shot and 1250 fps. 

I spent the afternoon trying to build you a MEC Junior out of spare parts, it would be easier for you to convert the powder bushings to the shot drop. Well as for the Junior I got everything working except the last station "Final Crimp" it is crushing the hulls. Need a MEC guy to give me some suggestions, I mainly use P&W's except for .28 gauge. Most manuals don't have the conversions for the easy loaders. 

[johng]

Thanks everybody for the replies!  I made an order on Midway USA today and it (and my new Carlson Waterfowl chokes-- couldn't resist...it's like going to Cabela's) are on their way from Larry Potterfield .

#8's *magnum* are coming... now I just need to decide on the hulls like you pointed out Wadu.... and dude!  Thank you very much for building me a reloading set!  That is mighty nice of you.  The MEC ones were definitely more pricey than the Lee I got.  People say the Lee is pretty dang good though for the money and it is made in WI.

It's going to be cool to actually start experimenting with the different loads but I am going to keep it pretty basic for awhile.

Now if I could get above 15 on trap on a regular basis I would be happy!!  It's those dang going away from you hard left or hard right that get me.

[bobcat]

The hard left ones are easy for me, it's the hard right ones I always had trouble with. (because I shoot right handed)

[AWS]

As you go about selecting hulls take in mind that the WT12 wad you have was designed for tapered hulls, AA or Rem STS.  With straight wall hulls like RIO and Gold Medals you can get some inconsistent  results due to powder migration and blow by.

[C-Money]

Congrats on finding some Remington209 primers!! That was my primer of choice before they became scarce and expensive. Look in your manual, but you can make a nice load using red Dot and STS or Gun Club hulls with the stuff you already have. Should be around 18 -18.3 grains with an 1 1/8 oz of shot. I use reclaimed shot for singles and handi ( when a lot of $$ is not on the line) and it works just fine. Like said above, "magnum" shot is just harder, and higher quality, and is not going to make you a better shooter than the next guy. It is just better shot for guys that want the best shot for competition.  Remember to weigh your powder charges and stick to the reloaders manual, do not take word of mouth!

[johng]

Thanks AWS and C-money for the further tips... I have saved this whole topic to a .TXT file on my desktop.  I think I am going to run with the Remington Nitro hulls as both reloading books I have mention them a lot, I have Remington primers and it also matches for the type of wad that AWS pointed out.. didn't know that!!

Very funny tag line too C-Money!!   

[wadu1]

I'm helping Johng by setting up a MEC Junior out of parts I have collected over the years. I cant get the final crimp to setup correctly. It's crushing the hulls without completing the crimp---any suggestions? Got it figured out and working. I only use a MEC for 28 gauge all others I'm using P&W's and have been away from MEC's for a long time. Thanks

The only thing I never achieved shooting trap was a 100 straight a bunch of back-to-back 99's. I only shoot Sporting Clays now and a little skeet.