Topics


Steel Shot

Question:
What reloading press should I use to load steel shot?

Answer:
Precision Reloading strongly recommends using a Sizemaster or Steelmaster for all steel shot reloading. Most state-of-the-art shotgun hulls have steel bases requiring resizing that only the above presses can do unfailingly. Even though the Grabber 8567 and 9000G have a collet for resizing, the rest of the design of the press may cause problems using steel. - i.e. bridging of shot. The 600 JR MARK V and 650 will not consistently resize all hulls with steel bases.

Question:
What Steel Shot Wads should I use?

Answer:
P.R. Wads for Steel  are manufactured from high density virgin plastic. They are not a replacement for any other steel wad. Specific reloading data is available in P.R. Steel Reloading Manual for 10GA 3-1/2", 12GA 3-1/2", 3" and 2-3/4". All loading data follows SAAMI specs to the letter. All data has been calculated using piezoelectric equipment – pressures are generated in PSI.

Question:
Do you have a wholesale program?

Answer:
Not at this time.

Question:
How many loads can I expect to get from 10 pounds of steel shot?

Answer:
See the charts below:

Topics

Reloading Presses

Question:
I am just starting to reload shotshells. What reloader do you recommend?

Answer:
MEC offers single stage and progressive reloaders.
If you plan on ever loading Steel or Bismuth, we strongly recommend the SIZEMASTER or STEELMASTER.
If you are only going to load lead in premium once fired hulls – i.e. Win AA, REM STS or FED GM, then the 600 JR MARK V will suffice. Otherwise consider the SIZEMASTER as only it (in single stage) has a resizing collet built in that is necessary for resizing all other hulls (steel based shells).
A call to us on our Customer Service number (1-605-996-9984) for advice on this matter is recommended.
See Mec Reloaders.

Question:
I would like to begin reloading my own shells. I shoot 12 gauge, 20 gauge, 28 gauge, and .410 shells. Can I buy one reloader that will accommodate all these gauges and then get different bars for shot and powder?

Answer:
You can buy one reloader and change die sets to convert the reloader to another gauge. However, it is a much better idea to buy a reloader for each gauge. It is time consuming to switch gauges. Assuming you are involved with skeet shooting, this suggestion was made accordingly. If you have questions please call 605-996-9984.

Question:
Can I safely and successfully load new shotshells with a MEC reloader?

Answer:
It takes a little doing as new shells do not have a crimp memory. It’s necessary to impart a crimp memory to the shell using the crimp starter die that MEC has installed on each of its’ reloading presses. It is often necessary to lower or raise the crimp starter die in order to give the shell an adequate memory. It might be advisable to run the crimp starter die against the shell several times.

Question:
Can I load 12GA 3-1/2", 3" and 2-3/4" shell lengths on one single stage press?

Answer:
Precision Reloading has "Spacer Bushings" and MEC offers a "Short Kit" to aid you in reloading these shell lengths on a single stage press.

Topics
 

Components

Question:
I'm told that Winchester no longer makes the WAA12F1 wad. I'm at the end of my stash, and need a replacement. Are any of the Winchester wads ballistically identical, that is, can they be used interchangeably with the WAA12F1 in reloading "recipes" and produce the same muzzle velocity and pressures? Or must the new wads be loaded to new specifications?

Answer:
The WNAA12SL wad is a one ounce wad that replaced the F-1.

Question:
Why are once fired shotgun hulls sometimes shorter than max SAAMI length hulls?

Answer:
On rare occasions once fired shotgun hulls of a specific gauge, specific length and from a specific manufacturer may vary in overall length but will be at or under SAAMI maximum length. Minor adjustments in the final crimp die will facilitate a suitable crimp. PR LLC does not sort out these variable length hulls as it would not be cost effective for the end user.

Question:
What is the difference between shotgun hulls?

Answer:
All manufacturer’s shotgun hulls differ in design, consequently cannot be interchanged as is the situation with powder, primers and wads.

Federal hulls are of three designs. One with a paper basewad and two with different plastic base wads. All designs are straight walled. They are not to be interchanged!

Winchester has two hull designs. One Compression formed and one Polyformed. Compression formed is a one piece tapered design whereas Polyformed is a straight wall design. They cannot be interchanged!

Remington has two hull designs. Unibody which is a one piece tapered design, and SP (Special Purpose) which is a straight wall design. They cannot be interchanged.

Follow the loading data (from reliable sources) to the letter – nothing is to be substituted, replaced or adjusted! The consequences of same will adversely effect the pressures and velocity and could cause injury or death to the shooter or bystanders. Follow the loading data to the letter!

Question:
What is the purpose of using Felt, Card, Fiber Wads and Tight Seal?

Answer:
These wads are used to either provide cushioning, fill void spaces or seal powder gases from the shot column.
Using any wad in front of a shot column will cause blown patterns. Tight Seal, a soft nylon product can be used to aid in the seal of a buffered load or to protect shot from exiting a shell that has not crimped perfectly closed. The nylon Tight Seal will not adversely effect patterns.

Question:
How and why should I use buffer?

Answer:
Buffer is only to be used with loads that have exclusively called for same.
Buffer raises pressure significantly and is never to be used unless called for in a recipe. Use only the specific type called for – never interchange Buffer types. Precision's Spherical Buffer greatly improves pattern density and pattern core when used with prescribed loads. Never use buffer unless you have data requiring same from a reputable source and then only the buffer type specified in the loading data.


Question:
What Winchester, or other powder, has replaced Winchester W-540?

Answer:
There isn't an exact replacement for Win 540. The closest is HS6. The Hodgdon manual has reloading data for this powder. See our complete list of powders.

Question:
How many loads can I expect per pound of powder?

Answer:
There are 7,000 grains per pound, therefore you can use the example below and refer to the chart.

Example: The load calls for 17 grains of powder, divide 7,000 by 17 and the result is the number of rounds per pound.
7,000 ÷ 17 = 411