Loading Paper Shotgun Shells

Loading historically accurate paper shotgun shells with black powder using antique materials and equipment.

[@JWheeler331]

I have loaded brass shells for my older shotgun shells but recently ordered a few hundred once fired paper hulls. Looking forward to figuring out these. Thanks for the video.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Have fun with it. Same principle, but you'll burn them out in 4 to 6 loadings depending on the charge. Watch for pin holes developing where the paper meets the brass base. A lot of times I won't notice until I compress the powder slightly and it breaks through the paper case just above the brass. Still, I enjoy loading paper as much as brass. Thanks for watching, Todd.

[@charleshurley2582]

Great video, very informative...

[@gijoe508]

Great video!

[@rodsvintagesxschannel.3095]

Another trick with the tool i do...i take a q tip and put a little lube in the track where the edge of shell sits to be rolled, it treats the cut edge for the next loading from being burnt from the black powder. Ive gotten 5/6 loadings before hulls deteriorate.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Thanks Rod, I'll do this next time. I appreciate your comments and will look up your channel. Todd

[@rodsvintagesxschannel.3095]

@@frontierwesternheritage1356 thanks Todd, if youd like to msg on FB id be happy to offer any insite. Ive been loading for 12 and 16 gauge sxs's for a long time, im located in Cape Breton Nova Scotia , Canada... Just got through Hurricane fiona.. Luckily the eye passed right over my local area...the eerieness of dead silence was ...well...eerie. Lots of damage in neighboring areas. Hopefully we get back to normal soon.

[@butchyboy69]

I enjoyed your video. I have loaded some BP shotgun shells before. I found out about the plastic shells melting on my own. Still, I have found reloading to be almost as mu

[@453421abcdefg12345]

A very good idea using the case trimmer to cut to correct length, experiments show that contrary to belief ,the use of a 2 3/4" case in a 2 1/2" chamber does not increase pressure, I notice that you do not use a wad starter, a simple tube that makes inserting the wads much easier, especially once a cartridge has been used a few times, the one thing you must never do is try to push the wad through the starter with your finger, as there are spring "fingers" to ease the wad past the tatty lips of the case ,they will allow your finger to go in, but not come out! So the use of a dowel is essential. Many thanks for posting this excellent tutorial ! Chris B.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

I did not know there's such a thing as a wad starter! Nice tip. I'll look around for one!

[@453421abcdefg12345]

@@frontierwesternheritage1356 All it is is a tube that fits over the outside of the case, with spring steel fingers that fit inside the case, the wad, which is sometimes difficult to start into the case, is guided into the mouth by the fingers, however, if one pushes the wad in with a finger,(digit), the spring fingers allow it in, but of course will not allow it back out, the only way is to wrap thin sheet shim stock around the trapped digit, and open up the springs, easy! Chris B.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

@@453421abcdefg12345 I bet a plastic one, detached from a MEC reloader, would help.

[@453421abcdefg12345]

@@frontierwesternheritage1356 Give it a try, you will like it! Chris B.

[@rodsvintagesxschannel.3095]

I load these as well for my vintage damascus 12 and 16 gauge guns. Love vids like this. , keep the old guns Alive!!. Inhave a greener " dominion gun" And yes 2.5" chambers are likely on older 1s. I have english and belgian and even a swedish sxs with short chambers, i to use vintage wads " CIL " Canadian Industries LTD. Also i get them from ballistic products, by the way, pyrodex RS works great in the shotshells also...inuse goex. Pyrodex is cheaper, i use a brass measure ( volumetric ) at 80/90 gr. And i keep weight of shot around 1 oz...to. 1 1/8oz.. Theres a video of me shooting 2 of my guns on my channel, feel free to view my videos, im really a sxs shotgun guy.

[@l.a.3887]

👍👍

[@blackpowderfirearmenthusia3194]

Good video thank you.

[@bigboresledder]

Well done video. How well do you like the case trimmer from Ballistic Products? They are a great resource for this kind of stuff.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

I hadn't ordered from Ballistic Products before. But I will continue to use them. The case trimmer is the best method I've used so far. Thanks for watching.

[@SilverSlugVideos]

I know ppl use 11 gauge wads and sometimes 10 gauge nitro cards for brass hulls, for paper hulls, do you recommend downsizing for the much thicker walls? Like 13 or 14 gauge wads/nitro cards?

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

I got lucky and was given a ton of 12 gauge wads and cards by a friend who owned an antique store. So they are all from the period when paper hulls were almost exclusively used and were made to fit properly. Therefore, I've never had to buy them and recommend you call or email a supplier to make sure you're getting the right size. Since 12 gauge muzzleloading wads won't work and bulge the paper case, you're properly right about 13 or 14 gauge. I just don't have the experience to tell you for sure. Todd

[@matthewkemp5338]

Did they use brass hulls?

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Yes, brass shotshells were more popular in the United States than Europe. Pinfire paper shells never really caught on here. But central fire paper shells and brass were used concurrently. The improvement of the waxed paper shell for added moisture resistance started a stronger trend toward paper. So brass was not the only choice, but certainly popular.

[@lhurst9550]

I had the same question. It would appear the doc has a Phd in History.