need help on Heavi-Shot reloading

[patw]

I ordered and received some Heavi-Shot with the idea of reloading it in my old Mec 600.  I had figured I would just use my old lead data and make some shells with an ounce and a half just like old times.  I have since learned that Heavi-Shot need special wads, and I can't find load data online.  I don't mind buying the book on reloading for heavishot, but I would prefer to make only one order instead of buying the book to find out what I need and then having to make a new order for the components .  Could someone give me an idea as to what wads I need to order for an ounce and a half  of heavi shot (BBs), and what powders can be used.

thanks

Pat

ps if anyone has used it, how did you like hunting with Heavi-Shot?

[New Hampshire]

Ballistic Products sells a special wad called the TPS (which stands for Tungsten Propulsion System.)  This is a good place to start as the book has a lot of recipies using this wad.  There are also quite a few using the Multi-Metal wad.  I think the manual has a few other odds and ends wads listed, but if you go with one or both of the above you should be well covered.

Powders?  Well I dont remember any specific powder off hand that is used a lot right now off hand.  But one that pops into my head is Alliants STEEL.  I believe it gets used a lot in the Hevi-shot applications.  If you twisted my arm and told me you needed a suggestion or else then this would be it.

As for using it hunting.  Ive got mixed feelings.  I only Turkey hunt (no waterfoul.)  Yes it does pattern pretty well, but at the ranges Im bound to shoot turkeys at there are plated lead loadings that can do just as well.  Of course if you are a water bird hunter you do not have that option, and I believe WFs can take longer shots using the Hevi shot (I read about dropping birds at 60 yards with a 20 ga.)  Since steel shot limits you to closer shots (which some might view as a good thing,) the Hevi shot might open up a whole new world for you.  You could probably extend your killing range (assuming your using steel shot for water birds,) from about 30-40 yards out to almost 50to 60 and possibly beyond.  I say this as "possibly."  If a water fowle hunter can tell me what the minimum ft/lb is need to kill a duck the Hevi Shot manual has a chart in the back which lists what the ft/lb energy a pellet has at a given velocity and it lists down range energy.  The manual might say, but I dont remember and a water fowler would probably know it better......

So I hope this helps you to start.
Brian M.

[patw]

Thanks, that was what I needed.  I have the manual and wads coming, and took the opportunity to buy a few other things I could not live without.  Cant wait to try it.  Where we hunt the geese often seem to fly just out of range of steel shot, so I will keep abox of heavi-shot on hand for those days.

[New Hampshire]

Glad to help, good luck, now go get yourself some geese   .
Brian M.

[dakotashooter2]

You might also check out the Hogdon ANNUAL reloading magazine/manual available at many newsstands ($7.99). I belive it has some heavi-shot and bismuth loading data. Keep in mind hevi-shot is slightly heavier and more irregular than lead shot and as hard or harder than steel, hence the need for thicker shot cups.