Federal game load shell re-loadable? - Page 2

msta999 · June 12, 2010, 12:10 PM

delete

msta999 · June 18, 2010, 12:50 AM

Oneounce,

thanks for telling me about the U charge bar, I got one I'm picking up tomorrow, going to give it a try.

msta999 · June 20, 2010, 02:47 AM

I bought one of these and I noticed my powder load varies about up to .7 grains. Is there a trick to using this thing? I am using Red Dot powder.

oneounceload · June 20, 2010, 09:50 AM

Getting to some of your questions - here is the load data for Red Dot:

http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...eid=3&gauge=12

From what I am seeing, it looks lie your 16 grain load might be a little light, so the 18 should still be OK based on the page I linked to.

To get that UCB dialed in, find the number section that dispenses your powder to your recipe. I use the Red plastic PC powder baffle on the bottle to help keep a uniform flow. I also keep the bottle filled to a certain level - this keeps the gravity pressure about the same and helps keep drops consistent. Once you get your drop where you want it, you can lock the dial with those small allen head screws.

The tiny hole in the middle can be resolved by adjusting your precrimp and crimp a little to close up the hole.

I prefer the Remington hulls - STS, Gun Clubs - they work well and last for a good number of reloads

Some loads require wad pressure, (or more than some), to get the pressure to the right level for optimum performance

Good luck and good shooting!

zippy13 · June 20, 2010, 10:57 AM

I, too, am a long time fan of the Multi-Scale and have them on all four of my MECs. Some powders "meter" better than others. Red Dot is a flake powder, so it may not drop as consistently as a ball powder. Another factor is how much powder is in the bottle. Some folks use a powder baffle between the reservoir bottle and the bar to get more uniform drops. This is the one made by Multi-Scale:

msta999 · June 20, 2010, 01:04 PM

Thanks oneounceload and zippy, I'll get a powder baffle. Never even heard of them, but now that I see the pic, I have seen one somewhere.

Adjusting the pre-crimp never even accured to me, but it makes sence. Guess I should see if MEC has a manual online I can download.

As for wad pressure, I have set my MEC 700 to just under 40 ft lbs. My lyman says 20-40 lbs.

What is a good shotgun powder, that will feed better and still be used for pistol rounds?

oneounceload · June 20, 2010, 03:21 PM

I prefer the red PC brand powder baffle - it has better reviews by most than the zinc ones.

Clays works well in 12 gauge and some pistol powders. I use that and Universal - that works well in my 20, 28, 32SWL, 38, 9mm and 45 and is marginal in 357.

Most relatively fast shotgun powders do well in smaller pistols calibers.

Alliant and Hodgdon have data available on line for shotgun and handgun.

MEC's manuals are also available online, IIRC.

Remember to always weigh powder charges - I run a few through when I first put powder in the hopper. I load the hopper using a funnel which I also tap several times against the wall of the hopper - that helps settle the powder down.

Decide on your recipe, and once you find it, buy your components in bulk - that means wads by the case of 5,000, primers by the sleeve of 5,000, powder in 8# jugs, and shot in bulk. You may have to go in on some of these with friends (especially the shot), but it really cuts the cost down

June 12, 2010, 12:10 PM	#26
msta999 Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2009 Location: Western, WA Posts: 123	delete Last edited by msta999; June 14, 2010 at 02:28 AM.

June 18, 2010, 12:50 AM	#27
msta999 Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2009 Location: Western, WA Posts: 123	Universal charge bar! Oneounce, thanks for telling me about the U charge bar, I got one I'm picking up tomorrow, going to give it a try.

June 20, 2010, 02:47 AM	#28
msta999 Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2009 Location: Western, WA Posts: 123	Universal charge bar Question I bought one of these and I noticed my powder load varies about up to .7 grains. Is there a trick to using this thing? I am using Red Dot powder.

June 20, 2010, 10:57 AM	#30
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	I, too, am a long time fan of the Multi-Scale and have them on all four of my MECs. Some powders "meter" better than others. Red Dot is a flake powder, so it may not drop as consistently as a ball powder. Another factor is how much powder is in the bottle. Some folks use a powder baffle between the reservoir bottle and the bar to get more uniform drops. This is the one made by Multi-Scale: Last edited by zippy13; June 20, 2010 at 08:00 PM.

June 20, 2010, 09:50 AM	#29
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Getting to some of your questions - here is the load data for Red Dot: http://www.alliantpowder.com/reloade...eid=3&gauge=12 From what I am seeing, it looks lie your 16 grain load might be a little light, so the 18 should still be OK based on the page I linked to. To get that UCB dialed in, find the number section that dispenses your powder to your recipe. I use the Red plastic PC powder baffle on the bottle to help keep a uniform flow. I also keep the bottle filled to a certain level - this keeps the gravity pressure about the same and helps keep drops consistent. Once you get your drop where you want it, you can lock the dial with those small allen head screws. The tiny hole in the middle can be resolved by adjusting your precrimp and crimp a little to close up the hole. I prefer the Remington hulls - STS, Gun Clubs - they work well and last for a good number of reloads Some loads require wad pressure, (or more than some), to get the pressure to the right level for optimum performance Good luck and good shooting!

June 20, 2010, 01:04 PM	#31
msta999 Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2009 Location: Western, WA Posts: 123	Thanks oneounceload and zippy, I'll get a powder baffle. Never even heard of them, but now that I see the pic, I have seen one somewhere. Adjusting the pre-crimp never even accured to me, but it makes sence. Guess I should see if MEC has a manual online I can download. As for wad pressure, I have set my MEC 700 to just under 40 ft lbs. My lyman says 20-40 lbs. What is a good shotgun powder, that will feed better and still be used for pistol rounds?

June 20, 2010, 03:21 PM	#32
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	I prefer the red PC brand powder baffle - it has better reviews by most than the zinc ones. Clays works well in 12 gauge and some pistol powders. I use that and Universal - that works well in my 20, 28, 32SWL, 38, 9mm and 45 and is marginal in 357. Most relatively fast shotgun powders do well in smaller pistols calibers. Alliant and Hodgdon have data available on line for shotgun and handgun. MEC's manuals are also available online, IIRC. Remember to always weigh powder charges - I run a few through when I first put powder in the hopper. I load the hopper using a funnel which I also tap several times against the wall of the hopper - that helps settle the powder down. Decide on your recipe, and once you find it, buy your components in bulk - that means wads by the case of 5,000, primers by the sleeve of 5,000, powder in 8# jugs, and shot in bulk. You may have to go in on some of these with friends (especially the shot), but it really cuts the cost down