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    how to reload the short 16 gauge RST for you L C Smith Archived Message

    Posted by Jent P Mitchell III on November 16, 2014, 3:58 pm

    Here are some pictures of the newest style of PW Model 375C 16 gauge reloading tool reloading some of the short RST 16 gauge shells. This PW 375C reloading tool can be adjusted to reload the short 16 gauge RST hulls without any major modifications.



    This is the short 16 gauge RST hull starting in the PW 375C



    This is the short RST 16 gauge hull in the PW sizing die. The hull is just beginning to be reloaded.



    Old spent primer being removed in this photo. The new primer is inserted at this same station on the PW 375C.



    The powder and wad and lead shot go in at this station.



    The wad goes in at the same station as the powder and the lead shot do.





    The crimp starter is starting the crimp here. I placed 3 United States dimes under the crimp starter die to lower the die fingers just enough to get a good start on the short 16 gauge RST hulls.





    This is the middle stage of crimping a short 16 gauge RST hull.



    This is where you remove the almost completed 16 gauge RST hull from the PW 375C sizing die.





    This is what the RST relaoded hull looks like at the almost completed stage.





    This is the special tapering die that you purchase as an extra item for this PW reloading press. You will need to go to the hardware store and purchase a longer piece of ALL THREAD ROD for this tapering die to get the die down low enough for these short 16 gauge hulls.



    This is a finished 16 gauge short shell.







    This is a relatively HOT little 16 gauge reload. I used 1 ounce of lead shot with a Remington 209 PSTS Primer and Universal Clays Powder. Universal Clays is manufactured or packaged by HODGDON. I used a Remington R-16 plastic wad. This Remington R-16 wad will easily slip inside of the RST hull. I did put mild wad seating pressure on the wad but the truth is that the wad seating pressure occurs when the case mouth is crimped.

    I tested this reload in a very very strong Winchester Model 1912 16 gauge pumpgun that is a short 16 gauge pumpgun. These reloads shot well out of my pumpgun. There were no signs of high pressure BUT I could tell that these reloads were hotter then a standard target load. I plan to test these reloads in a 16 gauge Browning A-5 soon. They should be strong enough to operate the A-5 action.

    Good Shooting To You All, Jent





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