I once saw some 12g cases that were all Brass. I am sure that they were expensive compared to plastic-brass. What are these used for? Other than price the pros and cons of all Brass? Are these still available?

quote:

Originally posted by Bob96:
I once saw some 12g cases that were all Brass. I am sure that they were expensive compared to plastic-brass. What are these used for? Other than price the pros and cons of all Brass? Are these still available?

That is all you could by in 1899

Yes, all you could buy many, many, many years ago. Those would certainly be collectors items if you could get your hands on some in good shape. We are spoiled with what we have today. I have a box of waxed paper shells from the 60s that I have as a curio.

LWD

Bob;

All brass shotshells are still being made in many different gauges. They aren't as popular as they were one hundred years ago, at that time they had two advantages, they worked well with black powder because of their greater internal volume and they didn't swell in damp weather as the early paper shells did. But today their volume isn't of much use because smokeless powder isn't as bulky as black, they require special oversize wads as they are thinner than paper and plastic hulls and they can be difficult to get to work in repeaters, but they can be made to work. The government used lots of them loaded with buckshot in the islands during WW2.

If you like old double shotguns and black powder they are the way to go.

I belive Bertram in Ausie makes them. I have a box bought in South Africa in the mid 1980's. You used to be able to buy special wads to use with them that were finger fit. Just squeezed them into the cases over the powder and then over the shot (used regular or special shot shell shell wads). Could be had with either regular shot shell primer or large rifle. Since we couldn't get shot shell primers back then, I bought ones that used large rifle.

That one box of shells lasted the crop guards from the mid 80's till the folks moved into town in 2002. loaded them with home cast buck shot.

Grafs carries them in most gauges. They take
large rifle primers. Ballistic products carries
the needed wads. I believe the current crop of
these shells is made by CBC in Brazil.

Armour Brass in South Africa used to make them, and sell the wads to go with them. Advantages?
They last forever. I still have all 20, bought in the '80's
A very basic home-made primer punch is the only tool you need to reload (apart from powder scoop and shot measure, of course)
You can reload them in the field
They work beautifully with slugs

Disadvantages?
They cost the earth

Hi Rikkie- You are Right. The ones I have are from Armour. Still have one packet off wads left. Haven't been able to find new wads for a good few years!- Not that the folks are any where near the farm any more and nolonger need them!

Midway carries them, I bought some in 410 and 20 ga last spring, they are a little pricey but will last forever. I have 25 or so rem and win all brass that i bought back in the early 60's. that are still in good condition and i've reloaded them many times. They use large rifle or pistol primers.

Cabelas carries Magtech brass shotshells.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/sta...cat200003&hasJS=true

Grafs sells it too, it uses large pistol primers.

http://www.grafs.com/shotshell/product/170151

I have used Elmers Glue to hold the over shot
card. Even so these loads are delicate particularly with the large guages. Wads are one guage larger due to the thin case.
Good Luck!

I think brass shotshells are a classy choice for old drillings in old chamberings like the 16 gauge in 65mm length.