Pacific DL-250

[jparris001]

A fellow forum member (I think he may have dropped out) gave me this Pacific shotgun shell reloader probably 13 years ago. His only request was that I wouldn't sell it, just give it back if I couldn't use it. When I got it there were no powder and shot tubes so it sat on the corner of the workbench forever. I kept looking for tubes and finally one day, a pair showed up on eBay. But now the press had some surface rust and wasn't looking too swift. So I took it all apart and after much scraping and steel wool and Aero-Kroil........ she looks pretty good again.

 

I've loaded with an RCBS for 14 years. So I know reloading for pistol rounds very well. But on this shotgun press I'm at a loss. I figured out all the stations on the press and what needs to happen where. But my press came with no powder or shot bushings. Pacific was absorbed by Hornady and I was told Hornady bushings would work in the Pacific. 

 

All I want to initially reload are some defensive rounds in 12 gauge. But I don't know how much shot and powder to use so I can purchase bushings. And how do you determine which shot cup to use? Factory rounds use buffering in with the shot........is this something I need to do and how do you accurately distribute that throughout the shot? I keep Unique and Power Pistol on the shelf and I've seen reloading data for Unique, but would another powder work better? 

 

Thanks in advance for the help. I want to get this old press up and running.