Reloading for Vintage Shotguns

[7000grain]

Ok gang, I promised a new write up every Friday. Here is this weeks inspired by the Remington Model 10 discussion earlier j. The week. I will post this to the site as well.

Friday Reloading Topic: Reloading for Vintage Shotguns
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If you shoot old doubles, pumps, or early semi-autos, reloading keeps them alive safely. But vintage guns are not modern guns. Treat them accordingly.

WHAT THEY CAN AND CAN’T SHOOT

Most pre-WWII shotguns were built for LOW pressure shells. That means:

• No magnum loads
• No steel shot
• No heavy payloads
• No modern high-velocity hunting ammo

Safe general rule for vintage guns:
• 2 ½” or 2 9/16” shells (not modern 2 ¾” unless chamber measured)
• 7/8 oz to 1 oz shot
• Velocities under 1200 fps
• Pressures under 7,000 PSI

Steel shot is a hard NO in old barrels. It will score the bore and can split chokes. If you want non-toxic:

• Bismuth
• Nice Shot
• Tungsten Matrix (not pure tungsten)

Only if data supports it.

Always measure chamber length. Many old guns marked “2 ¾” were actually shorter. Fired hull length matters, not unfired length.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Hull selection
• Cheddite 2 ½”
• RST hulls
• Trimmed Remington STS
• Paper hulls (if you like nostalgia)

Primers
• Match published data EXACTLY
• 209A and 209 are not interchangeable

Wads
• Fiber wads (authentic)
• BP-style felt wads
• Short shotcups for vintage loads
• No modern long shotcup unless data allows

Powders (popular low pressure)
• Red Dot
• Green Dot
• Unique
• International
• PB (discontinued but good if you have it)

Shot
• Lead only (soft shot preferred)
• Bismuth / Nice Shot for non-toxic

Tools
• MEC 600 Jr
• Roll crimper (optional)
• Hull trimmer if needed
• Chamber gauge

HOW TO MEASURE CHAMBER LENGTH
(Remington Model 10 example)

The Remington Model 10 is a great example. Many were built before standardization and often have SHORT chambers even if later owners ran modern shells.

Correct way to measure:
1. Make sure the gun is unloaded.
2. Remove the barrel (easy on a Model 10).
3. Use a proper chamber gauge OR a fired hull.
4. Insert a fired hull into the chamber.
5. Mark where the hull stops at the forcing cone.
6. Measure from base to that mark.

That measurement is your TRUE chamber length.

Important:
• Fired length matters, not unfired shell length.
• A 2 ¾” shell fires to about 3”.
• If your chamber measures 2 ½”, do NOT shoot modern 2 ¾” loads.

What happens if you do?
• Crimp opens into the forcing cone
• Pressure spikes
• Recoil increases
• You risk cracking wood or damaging the action

Bottom line: measure it. Never assume.

BEST SOURCES FOR DATA

Do NOT trust random forum loads.

Use:
1. Ballistic Products
They specialize in vintage and low pressure loads. Excellent manuals.
• “Low Pressure Shotshell Reloading”
• “Advantages Manual”
2. Hodgdon Reloading Data Center
Free online, pressure tested
3. Alliant Load Guide
Good for classic powders
4. Lyman 5th Edition Shotshell Manual
Solid published data

Stick to tested data only. No guessing.

COMMON VINTAGE GUN TYPES

Damascus barrels
• SAFE only with proven low pressure loads
• No steel
• No magnum
• Inspect for pitting and separation

Early pumps (Model 97, Model 12, Rem Model 10)
• Strong actions
• Still use low pressure loads

Double guns
• Watch for thin barrel walls
• Respect chokes
• Keep loads mild

SHORT SHELL BENEFITS

Short shells reduce pressure and recoil:

• Less stress on action
• Better feeding in old guns
• More authentic performance

You can trim hulls or buy factory 2 ½” shells.

PATTERN TESTING VINTAGE SHOTGUNS

Old guns often have:
• Fixed chokes
• Irregular bores
• Long forcing cones
• Unknown past modifications

Pattern testing tells you what the gun REALLY does.

How to do it:
1. Set a large paper target (36” minimum).
2. Shoot from 16 yards for choke evaluation.
3. Use your actual hunting or target load.
4. Aim at a small center mark.
5. Count pellet hits in a 30” circle.

What to look for:

• Even distribution (no big holes)
• True choke performance
• POI vs POA (does it shoot high or low?)
• Best load for that specific gun

Vintage guns are individuals. Two “same model” guns will pattern differently.

This is how you:
• Pick the right load
• Learn real choke constriction
• Avoid blown patterns
• Improve hit probability

FINAL RULES

• Measure chambers
• Use tested data
• Avoid steel
• Keep pressures low
• Soft shot only
• Inspect barrels

If you don’t know the history of the gun, treat it like it’s 100 years old – because it probably is.

[Blackfire]

May have to look into my original 1887 a little closer.