Introduction
The Allure of Reloading
The thrill of the hunt. The satisfying break of a clay pigeon. The sheer joy of crafting your own ammunition. For shotgun enthusiasts, reloading offers a rewarding path to greater control, customization, and cost savings. This guide is designed to be your comprehensive resource for navigating the world of 20 gauge reloading, providing essential information, safety tips, and vital *20 gauge load data* to help you get started and enhance your reloading practices.
Safety First
Safety is the cornerstone of any reloading endeavor. Proceeding without proper knowledge and adherence to safety protocols can have dire consequences. Before you even think about touching a primer or powder, prioritize safety in every step of the process.
Safety First: Essential Precautions for Reloading
Protecting Your Eyes and Ears
The act of reloading exposes you to potential hazards. Primer ignition and powder combustion generate explosive forces, and fragments or gases can cause severe harm. Always wear appropriate eye protection. Safety glasses or shooting glasses are essential. Protect your hearing by using earplugs or earmuffs. These simple precautions can prevent life-altering injuries.
Creating a Safe Workspace
Your reloading area needs to be carefully chosen. Choose a place that’s well-ventilated to minimize the dangers of inhaling fumes. Good lighting is essential to see clearly. Make sure your work surface is stable, and your reloading equipment is securely mounted. Keep children and pets away from your reloading area.
Selecting the Right Components
Reloading involves mixing various components. Only use components that are specifically designed for reloading. The wrong components, or a mixture of components that aren’t compatible, may cause failures.
Examining Your Equipment
Reloading tools need to be in perfect working order. Make sure that all your equipment is functioning as intended. Your reloading press, powder scales, and dies should be properly calibrated, and free of any damage. This ensures accuracy and consistency in your loads.
Safeguarding Your Supplies
Powder and primers are unstable. Store powder, primers, and loaded shells separately, away from heat, flames, and direct sunlight. Maintain a clean and organized storage space.
Referencing the Reloading Manual
Your reloading manual is your bible. Always consult a reputable reloading manual before starting. Different manuals will contain variations of load data. Follow the data and recommendations from the manual.
Understanding 20 Gauge Components
Understanding Hulls
The hull is the structural component of your 20 gauge shell. Hulls can be manufactured in a variety of materials. Plastic hulls are standard. Paper hulls, once popular, are becoming more rare. Identify the specific brand of hull you’re using, such as Remington or Winchester, as different brands might have slightly different internal dimensions, which can affect the load data. Always inspect hulls carefully before reloading. Look for cracks, bulges, or any signs of wear. Discard damaged hulls, as they can cause malfunctions and safety hazards.
Examining Primers
Primers are the ignition source for your ammunition. They contain a sensitive explosive compound that ignites when struck by the firing pin. Primers come in various types. Standard primers are suitable for most loads. Magnum primers are often used with slow-burning powders or in cold weather. Use the type of primer recommended by your load data. Familiarize yourself with primer brands, and ensure compatibility with your chosen powder.
Focusing on Powders
Powder selection is crucial. Select the right powder. The correct powder contributes to the energy needed to propel the shot. You will want a powder that is meant for shotshell loads, not rifle or pistol. Different powders have different burn rates, which is the speed at which they burn. Using the wrong burn rate powder will have disastrous effects. Powder selection will be determined by your goals.
Choosing Wads
The wad serves multiple functions. It protects the shot from the barrel walls and provides a gas seal, which contains the expanding gasses behind the shot. A wad also contributes to the shot pattern. Different wads are designed to work with different shot sizes and hull types. There are one-piece wads, which are a complete unit, and multi-piece wads, which have an attached base wad. Selecting the right wad for the load is essential for achieving optimal patterns and performance.
Evaluating Shot
The shot is the projectile, the part that ultimately hits the target. Shot comes in various sizes. The smaller the number, the larger the shot size. For target shooting, shot sizes like 7.5 and 8 are common. For hunting, larger sizes like 4 or 2 are frequently used. Shot is typically made of lead, but other materials, like steel or tungsten, are also employed.
20 Gauge Load Data: Detailed Information
Accessing Load Data
*20 gauge load data* is the foundation of safe and effective reloading. It provides the specific measurements for each component. Without this information, you cannot successfully reload any ammunition.
Sources of Information
The primary sources of *20 gauge load data* are reloading manuals published by established manufacturers. These manuals contain meticulously tested data for various combinations of hulls, primers, powders, wads, and shot sizes. Explore reloading manuals from reliable sources. Look into online resources. Many websites, forums, and the manufacturer websites provide additional data. Verify the information and cross-reference it with your reloading manual.
Load Examples
(Please note: Always consult a current reloading manual for specific *20 gauge load data*. The following is provided for illustrative purposes only.)
Target Loads (Example)
- Hull: Remington or Winchester
- Primer: Standard 209 Primer
- Powder: Example – 16.0 grains of powder
- Wad: Example – Claybuster 20ga wad
- Shot: 7/8 oz of #7.5 shot
- Estimated Velocity: 1200 feet per second
Hunting Loads (Example)
- Hull: Remington or Winchester
- Primer: Magnum 209 Primer
- Powder: Example – 19.0 grains of powder
- Wad: Example – Winchester WAA20 wad
- Shot: 1 oz of #6 shot
- Estimated Velocity: 1250 feet per second
Ensure you know what is required to handle loads like these, and any load for that matter.
Tips for Success
Start small. Always begin with the minimum load specified in your reloading manual and gradually increase the powder charge, keeping a close eye for any signs of excessive pressure. Do not exceed the maximum load data. The recommended load data is as important as the minimum. Overcharging the shell is dangerous. Check the velocity of your loads. Use a chronograph to measure the velocity of your reloads, and make sure the velocity corresponds with the load data. Check for pressure. When the shell is fired, the pressure should be contained. If there is too much pressure, you will see signs like a flattened or pierced primer, or a bulge on the hull.
Step-by-Step Reloading Process
Preparing the Hull
The first step is to prepare your hulls. Clean the hulls to remove any dirt or debris. Resizing involves running the hulls through a resizing die to restore them to their original dimensions. Make sure the primer pocket is clean and correctly sized for your primer.
Metering the Powder
Proper powder measurement is critical. Use a powder dispenser, and weigh each charge with a reliable powder scale to ensure the correct amount of powder.
Inserting the Wad
Insert the wad into the hull. Seat the wad to the proper depth, as recommended in your load data.
Adding the Shot
Carefully pour the correct amount of shot into the hull, ensuring it aligns with the data.
Creating the Crimp
The final step is to crimp the shell. There are several types of crimps, each giving a professional finish to your ammunition. Properly adjusting the crimp is essential to secure the shot and powder.
Troubleshooting
Common Reloading Complications
There is a lot to manage when you are reloading your own ammunition. You may encounter various problems like misfires, low velocity, or excessive recoil. It’s also possible to have a problem with poor patterns.
Troubleshooting Tips
If your ammunition fails to fire, check the primer seating to ensure it is correctly installed. Verify the powder charge. Sometimes you may have missed measuring the amount of powder, and your round will not function. Check the wad selection to make sure you are using the correct wad for the particular load. Check the crimp to make sure it is formed well enough to keep the load together. If problems persist, consult your reloading manual and seek advice.
Conclusion
Final Thoughts
Reloading 20 gauge shells presents an opportunity to refine your shooting experience, save money, and fully customize your ammunition. The journey involves learning, meticulous attention to detail, and a commitment to safety. By using this guide, you will gain the knowledge you need to successfully load your own shells.
Remember, safety comes first. Always consult reputable resources, and never take shortcuts. The reward of custom ammunition is within reach. Start the journey, and discover the satisfaction of reloading!
