Getting started

After watching the video from Markus (WiederladerTV) I decided to give shot shell reloading a try. Shot shell reloading is not very popular in Europe so it took some time to get the reloading press and the components. I found a Lee Load All II locally and the rest from the components I ordered in Italy and Germany. I understand now why reloading shot shells is not popular here. That is caused mainly by the price of shot (if and when you can find it.) The total price for all the components is higher then when you buy new shells. Slugs are the exception. Reloading them is cheaper when you cast the slugs yourself. One of the next projects is to make shot.
I decided to make some black powder shells first to get an idea of the reloading process. I used data from http://www.tbullock.com/bpsg.html . I shortened the empties to 65mm and made a roll crimp. The empties had been star crimped before and could not be roll crimped without making them shorter. Then I patterned them on a 75 x75 cm carton at 35 m. I have this old German made side by side hammer gun that was probably made around 1930 . This gun is a gift from an uncle. It has been used very much . The barrels have been shortened after they were damaged. This means that not much choke is left. Both barrels patterned about 50%. I then reloaded enough shells for the winter trap match organised by our collector's club. Black powder shells are a good way to get some attention! I won't tell you my score To keep it short it was in the league of a hundred excuses why I missed the target. Because I had some 2.5 mm (#7) shot left I made some nitro cartridges with a B&P wad and SOLO 1000 made by LOVEX . I used data from Accurate . I cut and measured shells from Rottweil, Fiocchi, Winchester X-2 ,Topshot Competion and Mirage and found out that they were all the same. I had to adjust the column height by adding a wad in the shot cup. It turned out to be a light load which is pleasant to shoot , I even hit some clays at the skeet range. Markus advised to get the 525 grain Lyman Sabot mold for slugs. That will be one of the next steps.

Congrats and welcome to the addiction

PV303 wrote:I have this old German made side by side hammer gun that was probably made around 1930.

Sounds interesting. Is it a 12 gauge? Just wondering.

Yes it is a 12 gauge. 12/70 to be precise. The only marking is Krupp Flussstahl on the barrels . Luckily it has been Nitro Proofed!

I was wondering what it looked like. I did a Google image search. But all I found was this site:

http://talks.guns.ru/forummessage/93/362429-2.html

And here is a larger image:
http://talks.guns.ru/forums/icons/forum_pictures/001570/1570133.jpg

I was wondering if that looked like your shotgun.

It looks like that . I also have one in 24 gauge.