Ive been a reloader for a long time now but never loaded shotshells. i have an older stevens 311 sxs and am thinking of reloading for this gun and two others. what kind of shot would you guys reccomend for these guns as i want to also use it for waterfowl and being stuck here in kalifornia i also need non lead for certain parts of the state for upland game. ive also looked at the lee shotgun press, looks economical but your thoughts appreciated.

Gary, I prefer MEC loaders over LEE. I just think they are tougher and I load in volume when I load. Personally I would use bismuth but unless you are going to shoot a lot I think you would come out cheaper buying factory ammo. It is always pretty costly to start from scratch vs having a lot of the stuff you need. I am loading this year because I had bags of shot from the 1980s, primers and pwdr from a year or so back. All I needed was wads. I am loading shells for about $3.50 a box vs $7+ for new shells.

The 311 is a good meat gun. I have one that I carried all over America, including California. It killed many ducks and pheasants around the Rio Vista area but I have never used bismuth or non-toxic in it.

Gary, I prefer MEC loaders over LEE. I just think they are tougher and I load in volume when I load. Personally I would use bismuth but unless you are going to shoot a lot I think you would come out cheaper buying factory ammo. It is always pretty costly to start from scratch vs having a lot of the stuff you need. I am loading this year because I had bags of shot from the 1980s, primers and pwdr from a year or so back. All I needed was wads. I am loading shells for about $3.50 a box vs $7+ for new shells.

The 311 is a good meat gun. I have one that I carried all over America, including California. It killed many ducks and pheasants around the Rio Vista area but I have never used bismuth or non-toxic in it.

Thanks for the info. I looked on midway and a few others and didnt see bismuth for sale. any idea's where i could find it?

Right now Bismuth shot isn't available. The man who owned the company died and the company closed. Temporary or permanent, I'm not sure. Another company claims to be making it but has yet to ship any (that I'm aware of).

This stuff -

http://shop2.mailordercentral.com/bpicart/products.asp?dept=370

= is non-toxic and safe in your gun, but it's pretty steep in price.

As far as press goes, I like MEC. A used 600jr can be had for about the same price as a new LEE and is far more press.

DC

Unless your going to shoot a large volume of shotgun shells such as in some type of competition your not going to save any money, especially with shot at $50.00 a bag even for lead shot. If your just hunting it's less expensive to just buy a few boxes of shells.

I've loaded shotgun shells for a bunch of years and do prefer the Lee loader. It was what I started with and then a fella talked me into a MEC 600. Used it about a year and finally went back to a Lee. Just like the way it loads better, but that's just me.

I'd sure have a gunsmith check your shotgun out. It's recommended that steel and some of new shot not be fired in the older shotguns.

Unless your going to shoot a large volume of shotgun shells such as in some type of competition your not going to save any money, especially with shot at $50.00 a bag even for lead shot. If your just hunting it's less expensive to just buy a few boxes of shells.

I've loaded shotgun shells for a bunch of years and do prefer the Lee loader. It was what I started with and then a fella talked me into a MEC 600. Used it about a year and finally went back to a Lee. Just like the way it loads better, but that's just me.

I'd sure have a gunsmith check your shotgun out. It's recommended that steel and some of new shot not be fired in the older shotguns.

yeah, that was what i was thinking about steel shot, i want to try and avoid it. what alternatives to steel and lead are their?

Shells loaded with Bismuth shot are available from Mack's Prairie Wings in Stuttgart AR www.mackspw.com (http://www.mackspw.com)
They arn't cheap but he has them. I would use them in my 311 before any other non-tox.

Shells loaded with Bismuth shot are available from Mack's Prairie Wings in Stuttgart AR www.mackspw.com (http://www.mackspw.com)
They arn't cheap but he has them. I would use them in my 311 before any other non-tox.


thanks much.

You can also use tungsten matrix in older shotguns such as the 311. It is made by Kent. I know it is available from Sportsman's Warehouse, but should also be in most of the larger sports stores.