OT – Brass Shotshells Project Completed.

[cshold]

There all done.

Now it’s the wait for the Parker to arrive so I can pattern these to see how
well I did for my first go around. If they prove acceptable, spring gobbler’s
look out. (3 dram 2F, 1 1/8 ounce # 5 shot)

20SxS/ShotShellReloadingTools001.jpg[/IMG]

[Hobie]

Neat. Now you just need to write up a step by step...

[nemhed]

Those big brass shells look cool as heck. Are those 2 & 3/4"? Being completely ignorant on shotshell reloading, what is the Duco cement for?

[cshold]

Neat. Now you just need to write up a step by step...

LOL Lets see how they work first.

[cshold]

Those big brass shells look cool as heck. Are those 2 & 3/4"? Being completely ignorant on shotshell reloading, what is the Duco cement for?

2.5"

A thin bead of Duco cement is used around the overshot card
to hold it securely in place. If a slight roll crimp was used you
wouldn’t really need the glue. I put a very thin coat over the
entire shot card to help keep moisture out.

[Hobie]

Neat. Now you just need to write up a step by step...

LOL Lets see how they work first.

Get on out to the range!

Seriously, there is a dearth of information on the subject as you found out. Most writers seem to speak in generalities.

[nemhed]

Those big brass shells look cool as heck. Are those 2 & 3/4"? Being completely ignorant on shotshell reloading, what is the Duco cement for?

2.5"

A thin bead of Duco cement is used around the overshot card
to hold it securely in place. If a slight roll crimp was used you
wouldn’t really need the glue. I put a very thin coat over the
entire shot card to help keep moisture out.

So if there is no crimping involved and I would assume minimal case sizing, then I guess those shells should hold up pretty well to a lot of reloading?

[cshold]

Those big brass shells look cool as heck. Are those 2 & 3/4"? Being completely ignorant on shotshell reloading, what is the Duco cement for?

2.5"

A thin bead of Duco cement is used around the overshot card
to hold it securely in place. If a slight roll crimp was used you
wouldn’t really need the glue. I put a very thin coat over the
entire shot card to help keep moisture out.

So if there is no crimping involved and I would assume minimal case sizing, then I guess those shells should hold up pretty well to a lot of reloading?

Yes, I have read upwards of 40 times.
Supposedly, if shot out of the same gun
resizing is not needed at all.

[two bit okie]

while I really appreciate the fab work evidenced by your pics, did you do this because you wanted to do your own loader, or will the lee kit not work on brass.

I ask because I have an old lee and will be getting some brass cases to try this in my coach gun side by side. You have inspired me to try it.

[cshold]

while I really appreciate the fab work evidenced by your pics, did you do this because you wanted to do your own loader, or will the lee kit not work on brass.

I ask because I have an old lee and will be getting some brass cases to try this in my coach gun side by side. You have inspired me to try it.

Not sure about the Lee loader

I chose to do it all by hand with hand made tools.
I am a BP muzzleloader type guy at hart.
That may or may not explain the mentality of doing it this way.
Maybe my muzzle-loading brothers can help me explain it better.
Is it slow doing it this way? O yea
Is it a blast and rewarding? Absolutely is.

[C. Cash]

Great work...you should be proud of those!

[perry owens]

Those big brass shells look cool as heck. Are those 2 & 3/4"? Being completely ignorant on shotshell reloading, what is the Duco cement for?

2.5"

A thin bead of Duco cement is used around the overshot card
to hold it securely in place. If a slight roll crimp was used you
wouldn’t really need the glue. I put a very thin coat over the
entire shot card to help keep moisture out.

So if there is no crimping involved and I would assume minimal case sizing, then I guess those shells should hold up pretty well to a lot of reloading?

Yes, I have read upwards of 40 times.
Supposedly, if shot out of the same gun
resizing is not needed at all.

I shoot my Magtech brass out of two 1897's and a coach gun and have never had to resize any yet. I made a tool that mounts in a drill press and puts a light roll crimp on the case. The idea was to make them faster to load into a double gun. It worked but with black powder the roll crimp doesn't blow out on firing so they are a pain to reload
Perry Owens

[Gun Smith]

The original sealing material for overshot wads was waterglass, a compound used to seal eggs in the early 1900's.

[cshold]

The original sealing material for overshot wads was waterglass, a compound used to seal eggs in the early 1900's.

Though not recommended for lengthy storage.

[rjohns94]

this method speaks of the ancient in those of like spirit, where rounds were hand formed around the camp fire while out on long hunts. The fabrication of each round, the self suficiency in the act, is lived in the lives and spirit of those that venture back in time when one had to rely on self more than anything else. To make do with the fixins before them, where each shot was measured out of the front stuffers they carried and lived by, and more often than not, resulted in game on the ground. The patience of the art is born on years of waiting. This spirit is fading in this time of instant gratification and lack of satisfaction. Well done brother, the spirit lives on.

[cshold]

this method speaks of the ancient in those of like spirit, where rounds were hand formed around the camp fire while out on long hunts. The fabrication of each round, the self suficiency in the act, is lived in the lives and spirit of those that venture back in time when one had to rely on self more than anything else. To make do with the fixins before them, where each shot was measured out of the front stuffers they carried and lived by, and more often than not, resulted in game on the ground. The patience of the art is born on years of waiting. This spirit is fading in this time of instant gratification and lack of satisfaction. Well done brother, the spirit lives on.

“I am a BP muzzleloader type guy at heart.
That may or may not explain the mentality of doing it this way.
Maybe my muzzle-loading brothers can help me explain it better”.

Thanks Mike,
That’s exactly what I wanted to convey.
I knew our lever brother professor would step up with the right words.

[rjohns94]

Certainly it goes even further back, to the shaping of rocks and flint, in the back of a cave, the choosing of the arrow that will be launched first, the stiffness and length and straightness of the shaft for the arrow or spear. The sharpening of the iron, bronze or damascus turned steel in anticipation of the next days battle, or to reset the edge marred by the days existance. Long has man and his predecesors attended to their weapons with care and through ritual learned from need and the "doing". It strikes at our primal side, it resonates within the spirit of the stalk.

[Nath]

Thats neat casastahle, each one is special to bought ammo well done.

Nath.

[cshold]

Thats neat casastahle, each one is special to bought ammo well done.

Nath.

Thanks Nath,
Man it would be so cool if a couple of us could get together and
come over to your neck of the woods and do a little bird hunting
together one day.

[Nath]

Thats neat casastahle, each one is special to bought ammo well done.

Nath.

Thanks Nath,
Man it would be so cool if a couple of us could get together and
come over to your neck of the woods and do a little bird hunting
together one day.

Some good wood pidgeon roost shooting at the moment, or Tia could bolt us a rabbit or two, bound to bump into a squirl or two. If you comin' this weekend bring wet weather gear!

Nath.

[Rusty]

I always thought one of the coolest scenes in a movie was in the movie "Sgt. York" with Gary Cooper. When they are all out at the beef shoot competition where Alvin shoots four dead centers, one of his buddies played by the actor Ward Bond is casting his rifle balls in a ladle over a camp fire. That's the spirit.

[AJMD429]

this method speaks of the ancient in those of like spirit, where rounds were hand formed around the camp fire while out on long hunts. The fabrication of each round, the self suficiency in the act, is lived in the lives and spirit of those that venture back in time when one had to rely on self more than anything else. To make do with the fixins before them, where each shot was measured out of the front stuffers they carried and lived by, and more often than not, resulted in game on the ground. The patience of the art is born on years of waiting. This spirit is fading in this time of instant gratification and lack of satisfaction. Well done brother, the spirit lives on.

When your book of 'gun poetry' comes out, sign me up for a copy. You're a good writer!

[.Dirty-.Thirty]

Any chance you can add the reloading brass shells page that you have laying on the table to this thread were we can read it? Any links and info will be appreciated.

[adirondakjack]

I ran em for years for CAS. Hint, replace the Duco cement with Probond or Titebond wood glue. Just a drop on top the overshot card, swish with a Q tip, and let it dry one minute. Seals better than Duco, no stink, no mess, MUCH cheaper (big bottle for $5) and if it drips, a wet paper towel takes it off before it dries. Shock and water are no issue, and best of all, almost zero residue left behind after firing. Ya don't even have to scrape em out, just ignore what little is there.

OH, btw, yer tools are preiiter than mine. I used pieces of 3/4 dowel, one with a decapping pin from a LEE die down the middle (used in tandem with a small hammer to decap em) the other as a rammer to seat wads, and made my own shell plate to cap em on the single stage press. But yers are real nice looking

[cshold]

Any chance you can add the reloading brass shells page that you have laying on the table to this thread were we can read it? Any links and info will be appreciated.

Yes I have accumulated a number of documents in my
quest for brass shotshell info.
When I get back from the gun show today I will see if
I can figure out how to post these doc’s. on here for you.

[kimwcook]

That's pretty neat. I've been tempted to do the brass shotshell route for SASS, but never got around to it. Did you buy your tools as a kit? And, where did you get them?

[cshold]

Any chance you can add the reloading brass shells page that you have laying on the table to this thread were we can read it? Any links and info will be appreciated.

Anyone that would like copies of my Brass shotshell doc's
send me your email address. I will have to send them as an attach.
Not sure how to post them on the forum from my word files.

[.Dirty-.Thirty]

PM sent with my email addy

[Rustolium]

while I really appreciate the fab work evidenced by your pics, did you do this because you wanted to do your own loader, or will the lee kit not work on brass.

I ask because I have an old lee and will be getting some brass cases to try this in my coach gun side by side. You have inspired me to try it.

Not sure about the Lee loader

I chose to do it all by hand with hand made tools.
I am a BP muzzleloader type guy at hart.
That may or may not explain the mentality of doing it this way.
Maybe my muzzle-loading brothers can help me explain it better.
Is it slow doing it this way? O yea
Is it a blast and rewarding? Absolutely is.

I was wondering if you would mind sharing plans for your reloading tools? I looked at getting some brass shotshells before I deployed last summer, but didn't know how to reload them. I want to make my own tools too. I love being a machinist!

[cshold]

while I really appreciate the fab work evidenced by your pics, did you do this because you wanted to do your own loader, or will the lee kit not work on brass.

I ask because I have an old lee and will be getting some brass cases to try this in my coach gun side by side. You have inspired me to try it.

Not sure about the Lee loader

I chose to do it all by hand with hand made tools.
I am a BP muzzleloader type guy at hart.
That may or may not explain the mentality of doing it this way.
Maybe my muzzle-loading brothers can help me explain it better.
Is it slow doing it this way? O yea
Is it a blast and rewarding? Absolutely is.

I was wondering if you would mind sharing plans for your reloading tools? I looked at getting some brass shotshells before I deployed last summer, but didn't know how to reload them. I want to make my own tools too. I love being a machinist!

No plans were used.
My machinist friend just worked off the shell dimensions.
In a matter of about 20 min. he handed me the 3 brass tools.

[rjohns94]

how come I can't see the pictures anymore? do they get deleted off the topics of the older posts?

[cshold]

Mike,
Once my pictures go to about page 2 in the forum I delete
them out of my Photobucket account to makeroom for new ones.
With the free account you can only store so many pictures.

[.Dirty-.Thirty]

I wish we still had the pictures How did your patterning go? Can a shot cup be used with blackpowder/substitute. Have you found any links or info to share on these, I'm about to get started into this. Can't wait!!

[Rimfire McNutjob]

The past couple of Handloader magazines had articles about all brass blackpowder shotshell loading. Fascinating stuff.

[cshold]

I wish we still had the pictures How did your patterning go? Can a shot cup be used with blackpowder/substitute. Have you found any links or info to share on these, I'm about to get started into this. Can't wait!!

The original pictures are back up at the beginning of this thread.

[.Dirty-.Thirty]

Appreciate the pictures, that gave me the fever for sure!! I started a thread with some questions, if you can help out I'd appreciate it! .D-30

[cshold]

Appreciate the pictures, that gave me the fever for sure!! I started a thread with some questions, if you can help out I'd appreciate it! .D-30

PM me your email address, I will send you the info. I have.

[firefuzz]

Neat. Now you just need to write up a step by step...

LOL Lets see how they work first.

Get on out to the range!

Seriously, there is a dearth of information on the subject as you found out. Most writers seem to speak in generalities.

Aren't you back from the range yet?

Rob

[cshold]

Neat. Now you just need to write up a step by step...

LOL Lets see how they work first.

Get on out to the range!

Seriously, there is a dearth of information on the subject as you found out. Most writers seem to speak in generalities.

Aren't you back from the range yet?

Rob

Just trying to help a new guy in the forum out.

[Old Ironsights]

I've got to start doing that for my 2.5" 16ga...

[Griff]

I'll be headed down this road when I get home with my cards and wads. I'm cheatin' tho':

RCBS Rockchucker Supreme and their 99060 - COWBOY SHOTSHELL DIE 12 GA-BRASS CS


Black Powder Shotgun Shell: Plastic-Paper-Brass

[cshold]

I've got to start doing that for my 2.5" 16ga...

You will have a great time doing it Old Ironsights

Simple hand tools are all you really need.

It puts you in touch with how our ancestors did it. And our ancestors put meat
on the table with those 2.5” black powder shells, not 3.5” super mags
that some think we need today.

What I like most is there is no plastic involved, no plastic shot cups, wads
Or shells left laying around in the woods and fields.

Also the true choke of the barrel is used, the pattern is not enhanced
or altered by a plastic shot cup. Back in the day choke was a true sought after
science of shotgun makers.