Trying to figure out how to get started into reloading shotgun shells

[dondoo1315]

So today I inherited 7 totes worth of powder, primers, shells, wads, shot, and a mec 76Ir grabber press the press seems to function but hasn't been used in over a decade. I do reload already rifle and pistol ammo but this shotgun shell reloading is a whole new field for me. Just curious if anyone has experience with this press in particular or has any good starting loads and tips for getting into this hobby. The powder I will be using for now is the imr 700x because I got a literal metal keg of it and then a couple one pound containers of Hercules red dot and blue dot that are in old cardboard canisters I read that if they smell like vinegar not to use them but i could not smell any off putting smells when smelling the powder. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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[Certaindeaf]

So today I inherited 7 totes worth of powder, primers, shells, wads, shot, and a mec 76Ir grabber press the press seems to function but hasn't been used in over a decade. I do reload already rifle and pistol ammo but this shotgun shell reloading is a whole new field for me. Just curious if anyone has experience with this press in particular or has any good starting loads and tips for getting into this hobby. The powder I will be using for now is the imr 700x because I got a literal metal keg of it and then a couple one pound containers of Hercules red dot and blue dot that are in old cardboard canisters I read that if they smell like vinegar not to use them but i could not smell any off putting smells when smelling the powder. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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View: https://youtu.be/gsm5pnaxBb0?feature=shared

 

[dondoo1315]

View: https://youtu.be/q7VHW_X5GmA?feature=shared

View: https://youtu.be/gsm5pnaxBb0?feature=shared

Thank you very much!

 

[gmerkt]

There is very specific load data for shot shell reloading. Every combination of hull, wad and powder is specific. The powder manufacturers are the primary source for this data. Lyman and BPI publish books with this information, but I don't know that it isn't just a compendium of data gleaned from that published by manufacturers.

Over time, the currency of components changes. Meaning, if you have older components you may not find contemporary load data for them. Like wads, for example. And hulls.

If your inherited stash includes lead shot, that's a big plus. Because a 25# bag of shot these days costs $50 to $70.

Loading shot shells can be more fiddly than centerfire. For most people, it takes some initial technique development.

 

[Kirkll]

good info...

 

[oremike]

First decide what you want to make like a trap/skeet load or maybe a Pheasant hunting load. Lot's of choices so pick one to start with because every one takes different componates. So lets say a trap load. What I'm shooting is a 1 oz load of #8 shot at about 1150 fps. Lyman makes a good shotshell book and Hodegon has a shotshell section in their load data section. Find data that you like and gather the identical componates. You would think the hulls and wads would all be the same but they are not. Once you are ready it looks different than metallic cases but the process is the same more or less. Size and prime then powder, wad and shot. Last is crimp.