Tutorial On Brass Shotgun Shell Reloading

Romeo 33 Delta · March 28, 2009, 11:17 AM

Folks ... I've been reloading for about 20+ years now, but only for rifles and pistols. I have a couple of cowboy action 12 gauges and a really sweet Martini 12 gauge and I'd like to get a brief tutorial from you on the proper and safe reloading of 2-3/4", 12ga brass case with a mild load ... not for hunting ... just blowing up cardboard ta rgets.

Thanks in advance

**Mike Irwin** · March 28, 2009, 11:21 AM

Well, you'd need to locate the proper thickness material to make the top wads.

And, depending on the powder and shot load, you might need to add a few spacer wads, as well.

Other than that, it's a pretty straight forward procedure, not unlike loading a straight walled rifle case.

The differences, of course, are that you have to crimp the top wad in place, and to do that, you need a special die.

Last time I looked, RCBS offered dies for reloading brass cases.

HiBC · March 29, 2009, 07:57 PM

I have watched a friend load them,blackpowder.

I can't tell you the whole deal,but,

Get in touch with Ballistic Products.They ARE shotgun reloading.I have heard just their catalogue is a wealth of info.

The ID of brass cases is larger than plastic hulls due to thinner walls.
To get a good gas seal,and therefore good ignition and not blow-by through the load,Ballistic products has 11 ga wads and cups

And,you may want to check to make sure you truly do have a 2 3/4 in chamber.Older 12 ga might be a 2 1/2 or 2 5/8

snuffy · March 29, 2009, 10:19 PM

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/

Quote:

And,you may want to check to make sure you truly do have a 2 3/4 in chamber.Older 12 ga might be a 2 1/2 or 2 5/8

The brass is less than 2.5 inches long, so that allows their use in most european
shorter chambers.

I've loaded some just for grins, really no set purpose. I use 10 gauge over shot wads, and 10 ga. plastic gas seals. I also have some 10 ga. card wads, 12 ga. fiber fillers can be used as long as a 10 ga. is above and below the smaller filler wad. I have the RCBS dies, but don't have a press that I can use them in. I used a latex crankcase sealer to hold the overshot wad in place.

Romeo 33 Delta · March 30, 2009, 02:42 PM

Hi and thanks to you all for my first, tentative steps.

March 28, 2009, 11:17 AM	#1
Romeo 33 Delta Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2009 Posts: 315	Tutorial On Brass Shotgun Shell Reloading Folks ... I've been reloading for about 20+ years now, but only for rifles and pistols. I have a couple of cowboy action 12 gauges and a really sweet Martini 12 gauge and I'd like to get a brief tutorial from you on the proper and safe reloading of 2-3/4", 12ga brass case with a mild load ... not for hunting ... just blowing up cardboard ta rgets. Thanks in advance

March 28, 2009, 11:21 AM	#2
Mike Irwin Staff Join Date: April 13, 2000 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 41,389	Well, you'd need to locate the proper thickness material to make the top wads. And, depending on the powder and shot load, you might need to add a few spacer wads, as well. Other than that, it's a pretty straight forward procedure, not unlike loading a straight walled rifle case. The differences, of course, are that you have to crimp the top wad in place, and to do that, you need a special die. Last time I looked, RCBS offered dies for reloading brass cases. __________________ "The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind" -Theodorus Gaza Baby Jesus cries when the fat redneck doesn't have military-grade firepower.

March 29, 2009, 07:57 PM	#3
HiBC Senior Member Join Date: November 13, 2006 Posts: 8,286	I have watched a friend load them,blackpowder. I can't tell you the whole deal,but, Get in touch with Ballistic Products.They ARE shotgun reloading.I have heard just their catalogue is a wealth of info. The ID of brass cases is larger than plastic hulls due to thinner walls. To get a good gas seal,and therefore good ignition and not blow-by through the load,Ballistic products has 11 ga wads and cups And,you may want to check to make sure you truly do have a 2 3/4 in chamber.Older 12 ga might be a 2 1/2 or 2 5/8

March 30, 2009, 02:42 PM	#5
Romeo 33 Delta Senior Member Join Date: March 27, 2009 Posts: 315	Hi and thanks to you all for my first, tentative steps.