Reloaders

[grouse28]

Are reloaders made for 2.5" 16 and 20 gauge shells.
Can a MEC type reloader be adjusted to reload 2.5" shells?

[APS]

Yes MEC reload ears can be set up for 2 1/2" shells. MEC even set up my hydraulic 16 gauge at the factory with the hulls and wads I use.

[jolly bill]

You can make your own cheap and dirty but very functional device that will accommodate your 2 3/4" setup to easily switch to 2 1/2".

I have a 12 and 20 gauge MEC Sizemaster and switch from one size to the other with no or minimal adjustments, as pictured below.

Made one for a friends 16 gauge MEC and it works quite nicely also.

I also made and use but not shown in the picture below a simple spacer I use in the powder and shot drop station, thus eliminating any adjustments there.

Hope this helps.

Jolly

[grouse28]

Thanks, where is reloading data available?

[jolly bill]

WOW!

So many sources for reloading info.

Lyman has a reloading manual strickly for shot shells and Ballistic Products has one also. Covers all gauges, powders, wads, hulls (empty shells), primers and type of shot.

Powder company web sites have many recipes for loading.

You would look for a recipe for your gauge, your powder, your wads, your hulls and primers.

Jolly

[grouse28]

Have not reloaded for years and was familiar with the various manuals, but do not remember and loads for 2.5" shells.

[jolly bill]

Have not reloaded for years and was familiar with the various manuals, but do not remember and loads for 2.5" shells.

What gauge do you want to load? What are you going to use for hulls? What shot weight, lead or steel or?

Ballistic Products is a good place to start looking.

I load 1/2 and 3/4 ounce load for 12's and 20's using RST 2 1/2" hulls using my MEC Sizemaster 12 and 20.

What will you want to do?

Jolly

[grouse28]

I just started to shoot paper 2.5" RST 20 and 16 gauge. Saving the hulls.

[Mike of the Mountain]

I have multiple presses set up for short cartridges. I have MEC presses to load 2 7/8" 10g, 2 1/2" @ 12, 16, 20 & 28 and one for 3" @ .410. A LEE Load-All does paper black powder, a hand press set does brass 12g black powder and a Spolar does regular size 12,20, 28 and 2 1/2" .410. Ballistic Products makes the best reloading manual and is found on their website. The variations you can load are dizzying!!

I did find that the Cheddite paper hulls did not load as well as their plastic hulls. Try to reload some first before you have a ton of paper hulls that won't reload well for you.

[grouse28]

Thanks Mike