I have a JP Sauer 16 over 9.3x72R. I love shooting the gun,but the shotgun shells are too expensive.For as much as I want to shoot.(chucker and quail)
So logic to me seems. pull one of the shells apart and see if I can make a modern wad the same,cut a modern hull to the same length? but how much of what powder? and what if my factory shells have cardboard wads,not plastic wads.
So can anyone help me with my problem ?? Thanks

Get the 16ga manual from BallisticProducts.com

It has fantastic information!!

Thanks I'll look for it.

I buy my 2 1/2" 16 ga shells from RST. They are about $100 a case.They work great and at around $10 box are not that bad.
Ballistic products has all of the tools, manuals and components for the short shell reloading-good luck.

I have loaded a ton of 2.5in 16ga hulls for my English SxS's. I buy primed Fiocchi 2.5in hulls from Graff and Sons, Gulandi 1oz wads, Green Dot and 7/8oz of shot. Nice low pressure loads. I have a dedicated MEC Jr just for these shells. Requires a 1/4in spacer on the last two stations, precrimp and crimp. You can also cut down 2.75in hulls to 2.5in. I use a copper tube cut to the proper length and trim with a box cutter. Still need the spacer available from MEC. If you don't shoot the gun that often, it would probably be easier to just buy the 2.5in shells. About the same $ as AA 410's. Bob

Or run a 2 3/4" reamer in and lengthen the forcing cone a tad- if there's enough meat in the barrel. I did that to a 16 ga. Sauer, no problems.

Was the European standard 2 1/2", unlike the American 2 9/16"? I could swear that the Sauer was 2 9/16", plus I have a pre-war Browning 16 gauge that is stamped 2 9/16 on the barrel (possibly for the American market).I see a lot of reference to 2 1/2" 16's, but all of the old 16ga. ammo in my collection is marked 2 9/16" on the boxes.

I'm certainly not quibbling over 1/16", I'm just curious about the discrepancy in nomenclature I see bandied about the internet.

VFR1's suggestions are excellent. Once you purchase a MEC and have it setup for 2.5 inch 16 b the only other expenses are the componets to reload. One other option might be to roll crimp the loads instead of fold crimp. I would recommend VFR1's suggestions.
Jim

2.5" is available from Midway also. The brand is Gamebore by Kent. They are much cheaper than RST. Available in #6 #7 and #8. 1oz@1200. The load book from Ballistic products has many more loads than what is for sale on the market. Some as light as 5/8oz others as heavy as 1-1/8.

There's a whole forum dedicated to the 16 gauge over at 16ga.com.

Those guys have more information than any other place on the web, especially for the short 16's. They can point you to supplies and techniques.

Please don't lengthen your chamber. It's just not necessary to fiddle with the gun when shells and components are readily available.

I just bought Cheddite hulls from Precision Reloading and will embark on loading the 2.5" 16 ga. for my German shotgun.

not to high jack the thread but i have a very fine german 16ga.sxs i would like to take out and use for dove. 2.5 chambers damascus barrels any advice in loading would be appreciated. ive been told plastic hulls will melt when loaded with black powder.

USPS:

I have a Damascus Remington 12 Gauge, which I shoot with black powder. Lots of fun on the skeet range. I have been using 2 3/4 drams of FFF,around 75 grains if I remember.I have been weighing each powder charge into a Winchester AA hull, using an over powder card, then a felt filler, and then drop the shot and crimp on a Mec press. Works great, and no problems.

Jerry

Mec sells a "short kit" for their Jr reloaders that drop in and create the spacing that you need. Ditto on the 16 ga reloading forum they have great info and a spread sheet on low pressure loads. Ballistic Products have great wads and their wad petals easily snap of if you need too have your pattern open up some more. They're are now plenty of good 2 1/2" on the market. I personally use the RST's as they are by far the softest shooting 2 1/2" out there. Buy a mixed case and use the empties to start you off on or reloading. good Luck and Hot Barrels

OK, so this was in 1969. The gun was a JP Sauer and Sons 16ga x 25-35. I shot a LOT of reloads through that gun. Won a LOT of hams and bacon's along with pats on the back for 25x25 scores. I never had a problem with 1/16". HAHA, I did not know that the hulls should have been shorter. I did notice that the hulls (paper) were THINNER at the crimp end. I never was worried because the pressure was so low (probably because of the thin crimp end)and there was never a problem. (Why have more pressure/velocity when you have 25x25)? Worked for me. Slower velocity means you learn to lead more.

Just my 2¢.

Carl