2 1/2" shotgun shells

Does anyone know how hard it is to reload 2 1/2' shells. Are their hulls, and wads available?

Will i need seperate die sets for a MEC Grabber(if they are available)/
I am looking to load low pressure shells in bot 12 and 16ga.
Thank you

Same as any other shell really.. By chance, do you have a Damascus twist or black powder steel shotgun? You mentioned low pressure.. If so, only use blackpowder or BP substitutes.

Shotshells are relatively low pressure to begin with compared to bullet type cartridges. 8-12K psi or cup(cant remember)..

Most 2.5" shells I have seen are brass. Way back when - there was only brass shells. Since there was no crimp to need room to unfold, they chambered the gun to the same length as the shell. Where as today's shell need room to unfold. A 2.75 in shell today is actually 2.3" in length, and a 3" shell is approx 2.6-2.7" in length.

If you do have a 2.5" chambered gun in 12 or 16ga, its a good chance its an older piece designed to use blackpowder brass shells. Which are loaded usually by hand and a wad glued or waxed over the load.

A must read if you do have a BP 2.5" gun.
http://www.circlefly.com/html/bp_cartridges.html

Suppliers:

American chamber 2 5/8"
http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com/page7.html

http://shop2.mailordercentral.com/bp...s.asp?dept=224
http://www.magtechammunition.com/sto...00000,00000102

thanks, This is actually for 2 9/16" shells with smokeless powder. The kind most british guns and the old Ithicaand other americans shot.I think they need to be under 9000 PSI. I have seen a lot of manufactures of these including one in PA- rst shells- but I wanted to see if i could reload them as they are kind of pricey. http://www.rstshells.com

Hey---the 1.2" all brass 12 & 16 Ga Shotshell hulls are available from Midway.

Dale Foster