[Joeyconrad2005]

So I have watched hours of YouTube videos and read hours of forums and have learned a lot about how to reload and how to do it safely. I bought a lee all loader and I want to load 12 gauge 2-3/4 #3 steel 1oz- 1-1/8oz in federal (plastic base wad), estate hulls, and fiocci dynamic hulls (white clear hull). I know where to order shot and where to find load data but what do y’all recommend for powder. I’ve seen people say to get steel named powder but I can’t find any locally or online. I’m not insane about speed as long as it stays over 1200 fps. My local supplier has 700x,800x, long shot, hs-6, and 572 in stock.

 

[Joeyconrad2005]

What’s

Youre going to want to snag that 800x and longshot. Longshot will be what you mostly use. You probably wont be able to drop the steel or powder with the LEE load all. Will have to weigh it out by hand and dump it in.

whats the difference between the long shot and the 800x? I have seen people say that long shot is bad for steel since it looses velocity quicker. Also, what would be a good recipe for that load since I can’t find any published load data (have seen some loads on forums but not from hodgdon or precision reloading).

 

[Joeyconrad2005]

Steel, Blue Dot or Longshot as a last resort.

I just looked it up and 800x is no longer being manufactured. Would hs-6 be a suitable replacement when using steel shot?

 

[Joeyconrad2005]

Okay so I’m seeing lots of great feedback and advice and I’m learning a lot. I called BPI and they recommended me get longshot. I’m kinda on the fence because a lot of forums say not to use long shot when reloading steel. If I get long shot I saw a good recipe for 30 grn long shot with 1 oz of #3 shot with a csd100 wad claims to be hitting 1400 fps. I also say a recipe for 25 grn of hs-6 shooting 1 oz of #3 biting 1200 fps. Went to the local shop today and the guys got longshot, new shipment of titewad, hs-6, a shipment of super handicap, and a few bottles of WSF. I don’t care about recoil but I do care about getting decent results without putting 35+ grains of powder charge per shot (trying to stay somewhat economical). I also would like to be able to start out with a powder that’s somewhat easy to find so that I can just rebuy the same components when I run out and I k ow where to find them. what are y’all’s thoughts on the available powder and recipes.

 

[Joeyconrad2005]

Can anyone give me 3-5 steel load recipes using 2-3/5 federal PB and longshot. I called PBI and they said the advantages Manuel is out of stock and in back order and I’m trying to load now.

 

[Joeyconrad2005]

1. Fed209A primer, 30 grains Longshot, CSD100 slit, OS12, 10 grains buffer, with 1 oz. #3 steel = 10,000psi and 1485fps. Same load with 1 oz. #2 steel = 9800 psi and 1485 fps. That is actually the only load I see using the CSD100 wad. With 1 oz of #3 steel, you shouldn't have any trouble killing mallard sized ducks out to 40 yards.
I've used a 7/8 oz load of #3 steel at similar velocity to cleanly kill mallards to 40 yards, but that load uses Alliant Steel powder and the MM1275 wad. If you don't have the buffer, I doubt that your patterns will suffer much if you omit it. The 7/8 oz load I just mentioned doesn't use buffer. If you have to order the CSD100 wads then I'd say get the buffer too.
If you are just staring out with this, stay with this one load until you can find some Alliant Steel powder.

Thank you for your time and knowledge!