Fellas, I am trying to think my way through a 12- or 20-bore Paradox project based on an inexpensive H&R with rifled shotgun slug barrel. Question is who makes a die for putting a decent crimp in the mouth of the all-brass shells? Because brass shotshells are larger inside than pper or plastic, it will take a good crimp over the shoulders of the conical slugs to ensure good compression and ignition with black powder loads. Did Graeme Wright address this in his book? Can't recall.

I used to load a lot of 16 ga brass shotshells and never had to crimp for a single shot. Crimping will eventually wear out your cases. Instead, get some oversize wads made especially for brass shells. Don't know where you can get them now-a-days and you may even have to make your own but they work.

Cheechako: I realize that regular crimping, even with periodic annealing, will wear out case mouths. But I need to be able to crimp an 835-grain conical with a nose that sticks out of the case, and as the conical is .732 and the inside diameter of the Magtech brass cases is about .760, lube and a crimp is indicated for a good black powder burn. I'll use 11-gauge Circle Fly wads for the wad column beneath the slug though.

Have you considered contacting the companies that handle or make the brass shotgun hulls? I found several places that deal in these by running a search in www.dogpile.com.
I hope this helps,
Jeff

You might try looking into some 50BMG brass. The cases are thicker and might come closer to the right dimensions. I turned the base down to the extractor groove, made a thick brass washer and silver soldered it on. Others have threaded the washer on. Then turn down in a lathe for the proper rim size. The BMG cases will be much stronger also.

I have had good luck loading 10 ga brass using a stiff
over wad stuck in with elmers glue. Perhaps that could be adapted to hour problem.
Good luck!

I've never fooled around with brass shells, but I am planning on doing something similar to what you are doing regarding shells with slugs. I know that brass shells can be roll crimped. If you have access to a lathe send me a PM and I'll figure out a drawing for you to make your own, it is not complicated. Alternatively you could make your own taper crimp die out of a section of 7/8" stock.

Mark

A fellow once turned up at the range with some brass 12g he had shortened to the appropriate seating depth. He then crimped the case to the slug as you would with pistol ammo.

I fear though, the crimping die he used was of his own manufacture.

The worst of this story is that he couldn`t hit the broad side of a barn with it, it was fun for him though. He suggested he would continue different slug types to obtain some sort of accuracy.

Good luck