Polar Orbit

Thanks Sitsinhedges. FES were excellent. Ordered a brick of G1000's, due on Thursday. John rated the Rios' saying he now shifts triple the Rio's than Fiocchi's. RIo's a bit softer but Fiocchi's have been redesigned now anyway.

😂 Yep. That's exactly what has happened. My Gamefair stuff has ran out. My supply of hulls switched to mainly Fiocchi in the meantime, which is why I wanted bigger diameter primers. Sitsinhedges recommended FES and looking at their site they have exactly what I'm after. Cheap too. Gonna call him today, maybe get some more propellant as well. Not too much of a hurry as this lockdown looks like it will drag on a while yet. Best Regards, Mark.

ok

FES 136 miles (2hr 38 Mins) from Bedford - Clay & Game 138 miles (2hr 39 mins) from Bedford (says google-ma-bob) North or South I'm stuffed if driving. Unless I go for £20-£45 delivery costs. Guess I'll get a few mates together to see if I can do a big mail order and then split delivery costs. When you consider all the additional costs it's barely worth reloading for shotgun unless you live nearby a decent supplier.

Yep. Suits me. Looking for Fiocchi right now... Cheers, M.

Hi Sits... Have done a bit more research now, see pic. I want these primers for mainly fiocchi trap hulls so I would fully expect these to be a tailored fit. I will go for them in preference if I can find somewhere local to Bedford who stocks them. Any ideas? Thanks for the tip. Kindest regards, Mark.

I am struggling to find RIO G1000 type 209 primers anywhere within a reasonable distance of Bedford. These are larger diameter primers designed to fit the larger pockets in European hulls like Fiocchi. I know Clay & Game stock them and I could get them shipped to local rfd but hate the hazmat carriage charge. It's a long drive to explain to plod during Covid too... Can anyone suggest who stocks these anywhere within a reasonable drive from Bedford? Cheers, everyone, Mark.

Yep, makes sense. I trawled thru a load of slug data in my handbook & compared to equiv shot loads with same powders. Slugs come out faster, probably as they have less barrel wall friction while accelerating up the tube. Slugs seem to do about +10-15% velocity compared to shot for the same load. I have been hunting thru http://slugshooting.accountsupport.com/Forum4/viewforum.php?f=32 on Saddler's advice above too. A mine of info but they seem to be pushing the max with American propellants at £40+ a pound. Easier just picking up my rifle really. These slugs are just for a bit PSG & target fun. I also found this http://www.buckandslug.co.uk/slugdata/12f675data.html but again, US powder. I have most of a tub of Vectan AS and Clay&Game load data for 5 different 24g loads. These are between 21-25 grains giving velocities between 1370-1490 fps and pressure 430 to 540 Bar, (less than 28g AS loads). I'll probably try working up a few trial loads with AS starting at 21 grains looking for pressure signs & see how they group. A mate has a chrono too when he can find it. Failing that I have a bit of Blue Dot left which I can try a dozen rounds while I save up for the next tub of american stuff. Thanks all for your help. Mark.

Using "Reloading for Shotgunners" 5th edition & running a mec grabber. Plenty in there but all US propellants. Also have factory data from vectan but its limited on slugs. Looking for something with more common cheaper propellants for 7/8 lee slugs.

Anyone know any accurate loads for 7/8oz lee drive-key slugs (with plaswads)? Looking for something like vectan or csb as its cheap rather than old american loads using unobtainium. I have the factory vectan data but it only mentions brennekes from 32g & up. Would 24gram trap/skeet load data work? Any slug related hints & tips would help too. Cheers, Mark.

These are now gone. On their to Liam in worksop.

I am having a clearout & was going bin these. Better to give away, so free to anyone who wants to pick them up in Bedford in next few days. Somewhere between 500-1000 once/twice fired winchester compression formed 12 hulls. Mostly AA 2 3/4" with 5/8" & 1/4" heads. Mostly 6 point but a few 8 point plus a few 3" & couple dozen Rem RXP. Remember to bring a sack. Any eve after 6pm or call first. Mark on 07790389852

Eley subs. Tried many others in anchutz 525 & ruger 1022. Eley grouped best in both for me.

Interested in this post. I'm on a similar gig... My lad often uses my hatsan hide gun on clays but it's too long for him. Was considering the telescopic MPA stock so it could fit us both. Did the MPA stock fit straight on without any mods or was it slightly different? BTW I have a variation in for Sec 1 magazine. Anyone know if the MPA 9+1 or 7+1 mag tube fits the std escort? Thanks Folks & Regards, Mark.

Lots of advice, all of of it excellent. I reload 12g for field & clays with a mec grabber. For 12 & 20g in common loads (3/4 to 1-1/4 oz) it will cost you more than buying factory and at 500/month you won't have much spare time. You only break even, maybe in a few years, if you shoot a LOT of really specialist loads like some of the wildfowling stuff. There's masses of load data out there, mostly american and mostly irrelevant or outdated for decent modern loads in UK. American components are expensive (&/or difficult) to get in the UK. My last green dot & blue dot cost me £38 each a pound (without shipping), which make around 220 to 290 carts a tub, depending. Using modern single base powders like Vectan help a bit at around £22 for 0.5kg. When you figure primers at around £40 per thousand on top, without wads or shot, it's clear we're all on a hiding to nothing. It's more hobby than money saver. You'll need to travel to dodge the hazardous shipping costs too. However, loading for 410 is more worthwhile. Factory ammo is a lot more expensive and you use half as much powder & shot reloading. I suggest don't bother in 12 or 20 but do try a used mec 600/650 in 410 (with universal bar) off ebay from USA or somewhere. Use 209's & European powders from as local a supplier as you can find and use recycled shot in plastic wads. Also, watch your pressures in 410. For all you Vectan users out there I have the current Vectan shotgun load data (missing from their website) sent to me by a very nice lady at Nobelsport. I can't upload it here as it's 7Mb so PM me if you want a copy. Have fun. Mark.

Yep, although i already had a copy from Clay & Game. I am hunting out Gualandi Super G 17's & V-zeros at moment from Clay & Game at moment. Meanwhile experimenting towards bottom end of 36g loads with alternative B&P wads. They're a bit slow but I'm loathe to up the load without data. Regarding 410 stuff, abandoned for time being. Reckon breech pressure will be too high. Reckon I'll stick to vectan and blue dot in future. Thanks for the help & kindest regards, Mark.

Hi Folks, I have given an unopened can of what must 20 yr old Shotgun 82 and am looking for data on 410 & big 12g loads. I am looking to make "Cap-Lifters" 36g+ in 70mm cases with 209's & a Gualandi Super G Magnum wad (I have great loads with blue dot like this). I already bought a copy of the Nobel Glasgow reloading guide on Amazon and tried a few options out, but it's limited and most recipes are too light and simply cheaper to buy instead. Interested to know if folks remember any good recipes I can try out. Probably more important is I am also looking to use 82 for light 410 loads for the kids. It may be a bit too quick for this and could be a pressure problem. But again, if anyone can help with 410 loads using Shotgun 82, this in particular would be a great help. Thanks all and best regards, Mark.

Hi All, very kindly just been given a whole can of Nobel Glasgow 82 (500gm yellow can) in vague hope of using it for heavy loads for 12g. Ordered a used copy of "Nobel glasgow powders for the handloader" off Amazon for some detail. (£3.24, not bad). Recognising this is old stuff you can't get anymore, and that I'm tinkering with a Loadall & small quantities of cartridges, has anyone got any pearls of wisdom gained from years of earlier experience with this stuff? I'm not too sure this will meter reliably as it seems a bit bulky and may not work so well with Lee's plastic bushes. Also, I can't find grains data for 82 in Lee bushes. I'm looking for the biggest lead load I can get into a 70mm PT case as possible. Any Guidance gratefully received. Thanks, Polar.

21's for clays out my Berretta auto 28's (& up) in 7's on pigeons out my Hatsan auto. 32's & up in 4's or 5's for rabbits & hares. Go straight thru so I don't spit out shot on the plate. 56's in BB's last week. (just to see what they're like. Ouch!)

I have a SAK on my Sako Quad 17hmr and think its better than the scirroco SM11 I used previously. The hmr has hotter and more muzzle blast than 22's and that erodes thin baffles (in scirroco). The SAK uses circular chambers running across the bore to disrupt the shock wave which don't erode so quick. I find there's no discernable difference (without a meter) in sound moderation between the two but the SAK will last longer than Scirroco and it's far easier to clean. You'll never shut up the hmr completely like a 22 as it's well supersonic. Laws of Physics sadly. I use the scirroco on my Anschutz 525 22LR and using RWS subs I think it's maybe a little quieter than the SAK was. The SAK is shorter and maybe lighter than the Scirroco which makes it better handling IMO on a full length barrel. The Anschutz is very short so I don't notice the extra length at all. You can spend an awful lot of money on mods and you won't really notice any startling differences in silencing performance, some are better than others though, certainly in build quality & longevity. PES are nice. IMO for 17hmr, you want either steel or fairly thick baffles. Ask the retailer what's inside the can. After that it's really how much length and weight you can tolerate. I'm happy enough with SAK on my hmr & scirocco on my 22 with subs. Hope this helps. Regards, Mark. Has anyone tried a steel Parker Hale on 17hmr? Any good? :unsure:

Issue resolved but I'll not use that dealer again. Emailed Remington in US and here's what they said Split necks should not occur on new rounds. These could potentially damage the chamber of the rifle. Our importer in the UK should be able to assist you with replacing the ammunition. Edgar Brothers Lyme Green Business Park Macclesfield, SK11 0LR 011-441-625-613-177 Shot a 3/4" group with Hornady V-max on first outing. I'll stick with these.

Right then. Took them back yesterday to Bedford Country Pursuits (I had been warned) and got my £15 back. They were Batch F18P18Went to Sporting Targets and got 100 Hornady V-Max for £20. That's more like it. Checked them all this morning and not a single bad one. They looked better quality too, more uniform and no tiny dings in the cases either. Will go and zero Sako with these today. Remingtons were recommended by a stalker acquaintence who highly rated them. However trawling the web, Hornady seem to perform as well or better than Remington so why pay more? The main things I've learned from all this. 17HMR ammo can be variable so I'll check any new batch in the shop. Only a few RFD's really know what they're talking about and spotting them is becoming easier. I'll let you know how I get on. Thanksd everyone for your help & advice. Mark.

That's it then. I'm taking them back right now. Thanks, Mark.

Hi everyone, just bought some 17HMR Remington premiers and it turns out that eight out of the 50 have split necks. I spotted one then checked the rest. I pulled one bullet out by hand, which was a surprise! I have seen other makes split as a result of firing but never unfired ones. See attached pic. Cracks are uppermost (mostly). Anyone had anything similar? More to the point is it something to worry about? I am thinking fliers at the least and maybe debris in the barrel etc. Also, I am shooting a Sako and was told Federals were best. Any other views? Mark.

Thanks everyone, keep it coming. Some interesting info gratefully received. I knew semis weren't as accurate as B/A's, (maybe 50p peice compared to 20p peice of B/A at 30m?) but never thought about the cycling noise. Are they really that noisy? Some quite positve comments on the Anschutz tho'. Probably a good choice for a semi, although I'll now have a proper look at the CZ511 too. Imperfection's one looks a nice enough rifle and CZ/BRNO are excellent value. Does the 511 still have good spares support? On the other hand, I know the Bolt action advice is good too. I mentioned I am considering a Sako Quad in 17HMR as well. Maybe I'll save myself the trouble (& cash) and get that in 17 plus a 22 barrel & mag. Somebody told me there was a purpose made mount that indexes between the different cal's for the quad. Is that True? I reckon you'd still have to check zero between swapping barrels. Maybe too much messing about. Having said that, £700-£900 for a 17/22 Quad set up is a heap of dosh compared to a £200 semi and maybe I should just get "anything" and start shooting until I get a better idea of how I prefer to shoot. ie Hide vs Lamp vs walked up (vs out the car window, nice one Gimlet). Nearly all my Rabbits are walked up with a 12g in daylight, so it's a long walk between rabbits. The 22 was intended to be quiet so more Rabs per mile...? Had a couple with my air rifle during summer but don't rate 12lb air without spending serious money and getting quite specialised in technique. Gimlet. Noticed you have HW60J in 17HMR. How do rate it? Reason is it's one of the three 17HMR's I've been considering, the others being Anschutz 1517 and the Sako. Is it a Rekord trigger unit? Haven't been able to find one close enough to go have a look.