Hunting Washington Forum
Other Hunting => Waterfowl => Topic started by: Gobble Gobble on January 29, 2010, 10:27:18 AM
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I'm looking to dust off the old Shotshell press at the in-laws and start reloading for waterfowl. I have never loaded SS before only rifle and pistol and would like some direction as far as hulls, wads and shot and where to get them. I've done some reading on Cabela's and MidwayUSA but have not found any good information regarding loading products for waterfowl, all the reviews reference using lead for trap and upland game. Plus, I have not found steel shot for sale just lead. I'd be loading 12ga and either 16 or 20 depending on what gun I decide to buy for the misses.
So, my ?'s are...
1) whats a good brand of hull or does it matter?
2) need a good pattering wad designed for use with steel(a no brain-er).
3) where can I purchase steel shot?
Are there any major differences that I need to know (still reading & learning) about loading SS vs. Rifle/pistol?
I understand you need a wad specific to shell length and oz. of shot being loaded. Is this correct? Any info is appreciated to help me understand the loading process.
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as far as the hull is conserned. use what ever hull the recipies you find say. the lymans reloading manual is a very good book to get you started. http://www.ballisticproducts.com/ is also a good website that you can go to that has good products as well as books. you do need a specific wad for steel, hevi-shot, or any other non-toxic shell but if you get a steel reloading manual all of the recipies you find in there will tell you what one you need.
in my experiance do not use longshot powder for ducks because in cold weather after 3 shots you will have a 3 hour cleaning job ahead of you from all the powder residu left behind :bash:
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in my experiance do not use longshot powder for ducks because in cold weather after 3 shots you will have a 3 hour cleaning job ahead of you from all the powder residu left behind
Sounds like a similar powder that is used in Wolf ammunition. Dirty dirty powder.
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Longshot is also very LOUD. But Blue Dot is good substitute, at least for lead loads. I don’t know how well it works for steel loads.
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I used to reload, but don't for steel. It seems a lot of the loads don't use brass bases anymore, so they rust up very fast. I know some of the guys reload the 3-1/2", 12 an 10 gauge shells for pass shooting.
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:dunno:
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Check out "Duck Hunting Chat" and the "The Pit Blind Club". Both of their shotshell forums have a wealth of info.
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Thanks all for pointing me in the right direction.