I have seen some all brass shotgun shells. I am interested if anyone still make them and what special reloading equipment is needed to reload it and what "crimping" method is used (some kind of wad or paper patch or so) . . Is it also suitable for semiautos or only for break opens . . ?

Jiri

All-metal commercial shotgun hulls are loaded manually in most cases. Various sources will sell the special wads, which usually are one gauge bigger (that is, a 12-gauge hull is loaded with an 11-gauge wad-column.

The wad column consists of an Over-Powder card-wad, then one or more filler wads, the shot charge, and an Over-Shot wad. The Over-Shot wad usually is glued in place, not crimped, although a skillful loader can create a light crimp in he desires.

If you wish more details, please e-mail me directly and I will attempt to help.

Paladin

Jiri,could you tell me what kind of all brass shells you mean,the thin brass perfects,or the turned brass cases usualy used on large bore shotguns, eg; 4&8bores

Ballard carries brass shotgun hulls. They have a website, but I'm not sure what it is. Do a search on the net and you'll track them down.

Mac

I am interested especially in 16 gauge 2 7/8". I hope I will be able load hevier loads than factory 1 or 1 1/8. I could make also some by myself (lathe turned), but need some drawings . . .

Jiri

Jiri, use caution in thinking that you can safely load to higher pressures just by using a brass case, when a paper or plastic case is used and you experience gun failure as result of high pressures, the failure rarely occurs in the chamber area but rather down the barrel, ahead of the chamber and often near the muzzel where barrel walls are thinest. I shoot a damascus 16, that I load with the turned brass cases. I find them easier to deal with, since I don't shoot this shotgun very often. Gene

[ 12-20-2002, 17:01: Message edited by: muffin ]