16ga.com ~ View topic

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1308 Location: Western WA

I realize this will sound crazy to most folks, but if you hunt with 2 1/2” you will understand. Has anyone here tried converting new loaded 2 3/4” shells to 2 1/2” by cutting out the center crimp and then applying a roll crimp, or maybe a Hartin crimp?

TIA
B.

*Last edited by skeettx on Sun Sep 27, 2020 11:20 am; edited 1 time in total*

No. I reload for both 2 3/4 and 2 1/2 inch

I have lots of both plastic and paper 2 1/2 hulls that should now last me a life time

I shoot 2 1/2 ammo in my Win Model 12 skeet, Old Browning A-5, Krieghoff drilling, and GECO Belgian SXS

I shoot 2 3/4 ammo in my Citori, Rem 1100, Belgian O/U, Baikal O/U, and Rem 3200.

Yeee Hawww

Mike

Joined: 17 Oct 2019 Posts: 455 Location: New Jersey

Sounds like a lot of work.

Joined: 04 Mar 2019 Posts: 1837 Location: Central ND

You have to fully open up the factory crimp, sounds easy enough, but most have had some sort of heat applied, so there is going to be a wrinkle/ridge at the crimp that you have to smooth out.

To get a nice crimp you must cut the hulls off cleanly.

All this means is that you must unload and reload each hull.

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1308 Location: Western WA

Thanks for the feedback. Should have been more clear, I reload lots of 2 1/2” lead and ITX, just looking for way to convert commercial 2 3/4” bismuth shells to 2 1/2”.

B.

Joined: 19 Oct 2015 Posts: 94 Location: seattle, wa

Joined: 08 Feb 2009 Posts: 1308 Location: Western WA

Cliff,
Feel free to fire questions my way. 2 1/2” 16 ga shells are actually easier to load than 2 3/4” and they work in virtually all 16 ga guns. PM me for details. Maybe we can meet up in person and compare notes...and down some birds, feathered or clay, with our 2 1/2” 16 gauges!
B.

I've found that to get a nice looking roll crimp I cut my hulls to 2 and 5/16s .
I get nice looking roll crimps without the remains of the fold crimp breaking up
the roll. I am loading 7/8s ounce in these hulls.

Regards, Gordon

Joined: 19 Oct 2015 Posts: 94 Location: seattle, wa

Thanks Brewster & Gordon. I appreciate the info. Brewster, I will be in touch. Thanks.
Cliff

Joined: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 1460 Location: Eagle, Nebraska

I load almost exclusively for 2.5"
Its the same load I use in 2.75" only roll crimp the short hulls. THen I don't have to worry about what shells, what gun etc, I can grab a box and go or have shells in truck and doesn't matter what gun I take.

Joined: 12 Sep 2010 Posts: 1973 Location: Maine

Just buy bismuth shot and roll your own from scratch.

And shoot 7/8 or 1 ounce. At 1/8 to 1/4 ounce per shell and $20 or so a pound, the dollars will add up quickly.

I used to open 2 3/4 (lead shot) shells and cut them down to 2 1/2, roll crimp, etc. Not really worth the trouble. But it can be done.

Joined: 09 Feb 2015 Posts: 817

Sorry but I don't get all the hype. Why open new 2 3/4, ammo unless you don't have a gun that shoots 2 3/4 shells. Otherwise just shoot them then cut them back for roll crimp. You can achieve the same load in 2 1/2 as 2 3/4 loads. Probably just me but sounds like a lot of extra work. I've got plenty of 2 1/2" hulls. Probably more than I'll ever need. Probably never load them all. I shoot mainly 2 3/4 and throw most of them away after 6 to 8 reloads. Not good enough the short hulls.