Shotshell loads

[sharps4590]

I am not much of a shotgunner nor does my knowledge of reloading shot shells come anywhere close to my knowledge of reloading metallic cartridges. Sooo...I have a question. My latest drilling is not Nitro proofed, has the typical 2 1/2 smoothbore chambers and it does not like any of the BP loads I've tried. Is there a source for "Nitro for Black" loads for shot shells? Or, does anyone have a 2 1/2 nitro load that would be safe in a BP proofed drilling? Or...is there a source that gives the pressures of nitro loads that could be compared to BP loads? I'm in what for me is new territory here.

[ohiochuck]

Sherman Bell writing articles for the Double Gun Journal ran a series of tests comparing black powder shot shells with nitro (smokeless powder loads) with pressure testing (PSI). I will dig these articles out. I believe he compared 2 & 3/4 inch 12 bore shot shells not 2.5 inch.
Jim

[sharps4590]

I have all the DGJ from about 1998 to date so I can reference them. Thanks Jim.

[ohiochuck]

Another possible source of information is the 16 Gauge Manual sold by Ballistic Products Inc. located in Corcoran, MN. It claims to include 2.5" hand loading information.
Their phone number is 888-273-5623.
I wish we could get Sherman Bell to visit the pressures (PSI) of 2.5 inch 16 b loads loaded with black powder vs. smokeless powder. This information would be valuable.
Jim

[sharps4590]

I agree. It would be great to see a series of articles on pressure and 2 1/2 in. hulls such as the "Finding Out For Myself" series on case fillers and Damascus barrels.

[Peter K]

The 16 gauge Society has a low pressure reloading group that might be of interest to you. http://www.16ga.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=921

Peter

[sharps4590]

Thank you Peter. I joined that forum the other day and they have already helped immensely. I have worked up BP loads in my brass cases that I'm not certain I can improve on. I prefer BP anyway so this is just great!

I have no doubt a satisfactory smokeless load that operates within BP pressures could be found but I don't know that I'm going to pursue one. I did see that low pressure loading data that was available. It might be worth purchasing just to have on hand.

[Peter K]

You are welcome and "circle fly.com" has a listing and supplies the correct sized wads for Magtec brass shotgun hulls in 16 and other gauges.
Peter

[Greg47]

There are some differences in the pressure curve between black & smokeless powder. Some say you should never use smokeless in a bp proofed gun. That said, Damascus or twist barrels that are well made with no crevice corrosion are probably as strong or stronger than other barrels of the period. The best source for low pressure loads for 16ga I found is the 16 gauge reloaders group. They have hundreds of very low pressure loads in 65 & 70mm many under 6k psi. They are mostly tested by tom armbruster (sp?). Many reloaders concerned with pressure don't trust BPI numbers as they feel the pressures are calculated rather than actually tested. You can also proof your gun yourself with some careful measurements and known loads. If you're interested I can give you info on how I've done it.
Greg

[sharps4590]

Thank you Greg, I really appreciate the information and the offer. I'm pretty familiar with the difference in pressure curves between black and smokeless having been playing with "holy black" for about 40 years...and it NEVER hurts to have that pointed out again....and again. I appreciate that also. What I ended up doing was joining the 16 ga. dot com board. I really wanted to use BP and had worked up a load in plastic hulls with Remington wads that was.....adequate, but not what I thought the gun was capable of or that I liked. I love to use brass cases in the old guns and have a box of 2 1/2 Mag-Tech's but have never been able to keep the over shot card in place during recoil. Turns out I needed to clean the inside of the cases a lot better than I was. Once I started doing that the shot card stays in place and surprisingly....also gratefully...the BP loads in brass cases with the good ol' fiber and hard card wad column turned in some excellent patterns. So, it appears I have a load that patterns well loaded with BP. Even a blind hog finds an acorn once in a while!!!

[Greg47]

I love the brass cases too and have shot a lot of game with them. Including the turkey on my site with my hammer drilling. Just have to use the next size up wads with the magtech. Was glad to see they went to modern primers. Those berdans were a pain to take out. Also had trouble with the over shot cards. Esp in the heavy turkey loads. First one I shot. When I got up to go get him, the shot from the 2nd barrel load rolled out the barrel. Finally double glued it w with Dupont houshold glue a and. No more problems.
Greg