Anybody out there reload for 16 gauge?

I just picked up a 16 gauge shotgun, knowing full well the limited availaility of ammo, and relaoding supplies. I wanted it for nostalgic reasons.

Any suggestions as to which hulls/wads to use and where to get them?

Tim

Hi Tim,

Try www.ballisticproducts.com
They have what you need and even publish a booklet especially for 16 gauge loaders. The 16 is at it's best with 1 oz loads.

Good Hunting,

I also have 16 gauge o/u shotgun. I could buy old reloading equipment (from friend) for paper hulls reloading, but these paper hulls have different primers than plastics. I can't get this primers here and also reloading data for paper shells are not common. There is also powder measure, but nobody know, for which powder (black maybe) . . . It is not way to save money but it could be interested to reload this sweet 16 Are there aviable all brass hulls ?

[ 12-18-2002, 20:06: Message edited by: Jiri ]

Jiri,

Doesn't Sellier & Bellot offer 16 gauge in plastic? According to their website, it's available. I would think you might be able to get their products at home in Czech Republic.

FYI, my family tree reaches back to Plzen.

Tim

TimB99,

I could get plastic here ofcourse, problem is that very old reloading machine what I could buy (for 10U$D or so) is constructed for reloading paper shells and these paper shells use different primers (slightly thinner and shorter than 209). Maybe it could be able to reload plastics, but nobody know . . .

You can probably get a Lee loader or Lee load all for about that. Some paper cases can be save by trimming and doing a roll crimp. When you're poor or cheap you learn a lot!

what limited availability problems? Unless it's a 2" or 2 1/2" just go down to walmart and buy lead. If it's bismuth or kent go to your local supplier. I have a win model 24 and have no trouble finding ammo. If you have a 2 1/2" I've found www.hillrodandgun.com to carry it. If it's black powder try old western scrounger.

10.3x60R,

You're right. The more I look, the more I find 16 gauge shells are more readily available than I had thought. Still, they are pricey (compared to 20 gauge and 12 gauge) and there is not as wide a range of selection.

That's OK, however. I just ordered a case of Remington promotional shells for hunting. When they're all shot up, I'll get a 16 gauge conversion kit for my Lee Load-All, some Remington SP16 wads, and I'll be set for the Sweet 16.

Tim

Tim, if you are worried about the price, just go to your local gun peddler and ask him to order a couple of cases for you. Almost all of them will do it for 10 to 20% over their cost.

When I bought my wife's model 12, I bough a couple of cases of Remington field loads for under $4.00 per box.

That said, don't let me discourage you from reloading. Just don't do it because you "have to". JMO, Dutch.

I have loaded several cases of hunting ammo for the 16 over the years, using the old Lyman EZ-Loader - why they ever stopped making that thing is beyond me. You could adjust it in seconds to load out either 2 9/16 or 2 3/4 inch hulls - same with 12 ga when going from 2 3/4 to 3 ". You still see them for sale sometimes on eBay.
As to loading the 16 someone said it works best with 1 oz loads and I will second that. The Brits were on to something years ago when they said he "Best" loads for any guage were the ones that "Squared" the bore. I've gone as high as 1 1/4 oz and as light as 3/4 but always came back to the 1 oz loads - even shot a lot of ducks with an ounce of #5 when we could shoot lead.
And again, go to Ballistic Industries for all the components you need for the 16.
"Shoot straight, shoot safe and shoot a lot!"
Regards,

Dutch,

Definitely not a need based thing. The case of shells I just ordered were about $3.50 a box.

I like to tinker. I'll probably load them to 1 oz. of shot at 1300 ft/sec with 5's or a duplex of 4's and 6's.

I already load for 12 gauge, so the switchover to 16 will be no problem.

Trapper,

Just curious. Explain "square" the bore. Not sure I know what that means.

Tim

Tim, The British once loaded all guages to a "Square" of the bore or an amount of shot equal in height to the dialeter of the bore. Supposedly the best wing shot that ever lived -and I don't know exactly who decided this - but a "Captain A. H. Bogardus" who once shot 5,000 flying glass balls in less than 500 minutes, with only 163 misses. He shot a matched pair of 10 ga doubles, using an ounce and a quarter of shot. He was reknown for breaking glass balls in the days before clay pigeons. He was also supposed to be an excellent waterfowler.
Back to the Brits; This reliaqnce on lighter loadings was one reason they used a lot of shorter shells than we do here in the States, they simply did not need the room for any more shot.
Hope this helps, and I didn't mean to be so wordy.
"Shot straight, shoot safe and shoot a lot!"
Regards,