What did you do in the reloading room today?

[XYZ]

I’ve had the Rona-Crud for a week and have been sitting in my recliner looking at my reloading shed wishing I felt good enough to go peddle around on some empties.

 

[Rustygun]

I uncovered the Dillon 650 and made 300 rounds of 9 mm this morning. With the case feeder and the auto index feature the 650 makes 300 rounds pretty quickly. Including setup and clean up after it took less than an hour. Going to get another 300 in the ammo can tomorrow.

 

[Master Carper]

Got my 12 ga. .690 round ball and "pellet slug" mold out and loaded up a few for testing.

Round ball loads are just over 1,700 fps. and have provided best accuracy through a Hastings modified choke tube.

Pellet Slugs are in 5- round groups with velocity readings from 1,200 to 1800 fps.. Best accuracy has always been from a Hastings modified choke tube.

 

[Sig365CCW]

I haven’t reloaded for years but cleaned some brass and gonna crank out some 9mm this week.

 

[retrieverman]

Got my 12 ga. .690 round ball and "pellet slug" mold out and loaded up a few for testing.

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Round ball loads are just over 1,700 fps. and have provided best accuracy through a Hastings modified choke tube.

Pellet Slugs are in 5- round groups with velocity readings from 1,200 to 1800 fps.. Best accuracy has always been from a Hastings modified choke tube.

I’ve revisited @swampratt thread on loading the “tri ball” shells and done some online research on that load and modifications to it, and I think you’ve hit on a winner with the single .690 round ball. Keep us posted on this project.

Edit to add I haven’t had time to try those slugs I got from you, but I’m anxious to see how they shoot.

 

[Master Carper]

I’ve revisited @swampratt thread on loading the “tri ball” shells and done some online research on that load and modifications to it, and I think you’ve hit on a winner with the single .690 round ball. Keep us posted on this project.

Edit to add I haven’t had time to try those slugs I got from you, but I’m anxious to see how they shoot.

I look forward to your shooting report.

Too wet to get back to my shooting range, but will certainly do a posting as soon as the rains stop and it dries up some.

I have done velocity and pressure testing on my single round ball loads, and I'm looking forward to accuracy testing, when, you know, it dries out some.

 

[retrieverman]

The first batch of 20 ga loads patterned well but printed way high, and since there’s no way to adjust the sights on that gun, I was about to abandon the project. However, I was chatting with @hunter966 offline a few minutes ago, and he suggested using a slower fps recipe to try to lower the point of impact.
I’ve got two loads to try tomorrow. One has 7.5 shot and other 6 shot that should be running about 1165 fps versus the 1300 fps of the first batch.
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The 1165 fps loads had a lower POI, but I’m still not happy with the results. I’m not saying it wouldn’t kill a turkey, but that gun/ammo combo isn’t going to the field with me this year.

 

[Master Carper]

The 1165 fps loads had a lower POI, but I’m still not happy with the results. I’m not saying it wouldn’t kill a turkey, but that gun/ammo combo isn’t going to the field with me this year.

Is there anyway you can put a set of sights on that 20 ga., either adjustable rifle type sights or a red dot?

Putting a red dot on my 12 ga., and depending on the barrel, load and choke, it allowed me to "accurately" and consistently increase my killing range from 70 yards out to 125 yards. Best add on feature to my 870.

 

[retrieverman]

Is there anyway you can put a set of sights on that 20 ga., either adjustable rifle type sights or a red dot?

Putting a red dot on my 12 ga., and depending on the barrel, load and choke, it allowed me to "accurately" and consistently increase my killing range from 70 yards out to 125 yards. Best add on feature to my 870.

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As it sits, there’s no way to put an optic or different sights other than maybe a taller front bead, and to be honest, I’m not willing to tie up too much money on that gun.
I may end up adding a Burris Speed Bead to my Benelli.

 

[SBSATS]

Killed many a turkey with my 20 ga reloads. Would suggest you use at least #6 shot, if not #4, for that big gobbler. Will carry further with more retained energy at impact out to around 30 yards from a full choke. 7 1/2 works ok at 20 yards. But regardless, shot placement is the key.
Good luck and good hunting.