Loading Brass Shotgun Shells

Loading up for spring is a good activity during the winter months on the northern tier. This video provides a short history of brass shotgun shells as well as the basics of loading them. It's no substitute for a thorough read through a black powder reloading book. But will give you an idea of the steps involved.

[@SlickSixguns]

I just bought some of those exact same shells

[@user-zb4pg4fv5t]

I remember the paper shotgun shells, They where like a very thick wax-paper. They where still around on the farm in the 1970's when I was growing up. BTW if you like Western history, Look up Nelson Story on Wikipedia, I am related to him. This is why I live in both MT and WV/OH Ohio river valley. And people say MT has no history, It is just forgotten history by most.

[@bigboresledder]

I have an Ithaca 10 gauge made in 1886 I have test fired with a string from around the corner. Brass cases are a problem so I shortened some Winchester plastic cases to 2.870 and that seems OK. This is a very use full video! Thanks

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Thank you for watching. Keep enjoying that 10 gauge.

[@keganjones9063]

Thanks for this video. I have had that RCBS die set on backorder for a while and hopefully will finally get it before the end of the month. That larger diameter threading on the press is also necessary for reloading .577/.450 for the Martini-Henry.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Thanks. Good to know.

[@oasis6444]

Hi, Thx for the video. Just a question: can you do it the same way with smokeless powder?

[@453421abcdefg12345]

Nice to see you back in action Todd! you can just run varnish around the inside of the case mouth over the top wad, that saves stressing the brass case, and holds tight. And as for static, an anti static bracelet plugged into an earth socket will prevent that. Stay safe ! Chris B.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Good tip. I'll try the varnish method.

[@jonathanhill7096]

Can you recommend a blackpowder reloading manual? Enjoyed the video and glad your back.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Jonathan, start with Lyman's Black Powder Loading book. It will have a lot of info not related to cartridges, but will also teach you characteristics of black powder. Once you get the basics, Ballistic Products has a good manual on brass case reloading. Paper case loading is the same procedure only with smaller diameter wads.

[@terryqueen3233]

I heard you say Magtech I believe is that where you got your brass shells? I certainly would like to find me some for my old shotgun, and did you say you got your wods at Circle fly? Could you please answer these two questions I really would like to get some brass shells for my shotgun and I haven't been able to find any yet. I sure am glad you showed this video thanks again. Have a great day and stay safe and whatever you do keep your powder dry! Also if you could could you put a link to those two places that you got those things, thanks again. Also another question can you shoot a slug out of those shells?

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Terry, the shells are indeed Magtech. Try Buffalo Arms or MidwayUSA. I've had them a while, so I'm not sure about availability right now. For wads, go to thegunworks.com and order 11 gauge Circle Fly Wads. They fit the brass cases perfectly.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

My concern with slugs is getting the diameter big enough to fit snuggly in the brass case and then being over sized for the barrel. It's one thing for a shot column to hit the forcing cone and another thing for an oversized slug to do it. I have some old slug rounds in paper, but the slug is about bore size. The thin walled brass wouldn't hold it tightly. Maybe some subscribers have experience with this.

[@amandasanders7373]

Love your videos. Thanks for your hard work and dedication. Whereabout do you order all those black powder dies and tools ?

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Thank you for your kind words. I've found tools and supplies at Midwayusa, Buffalo Arms, Track of the Wolf, Dixie Gun Works, Ballistic Products, MontanaPrecision Swaging, and a number of other online sources.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

I usually do an internet search for what I need and see what pops up. Thanks for watching, Todd

[@joeldennis831]

Great video and very helpful. I have a question however… I have an old Belgian hammer sxs 12 gauge that is clean and sound. I have all the components to load BP brass shotshell a but when I chamber the empty brass shotshell they don’t fully chamber. They protrude about 1/4” from the case rim. They do chamber in another 12 gauge j have so I believe the chambers on the hammer gun are just a tad small. I hesitate to buy the RCBS shotshell sizing just to try to make them work. Do you know if the RCBS die will size the brass enough to make them work or do I have an out of spec chamber? I would really like to get my hands on an empty RCBS resized brass shell to try before I buy the die set. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Joel, Do plastic rounds chamber okay? I hesitate to provide too much advice over the internet. I don't want you trying something that harms you or the gun. So I'll go with the standard answer of "find a reputable gunsmith". Two things to ask about: 1. Chamber length. You might have a very short chamber made for an obsolete round. 2. Chamber diameter. It could be a little tight. That's where the plastic shell comes in. They are usually tapered and will slide passed a short chamber's forcing cone. If chamber dimensions are tight, the modern shell might stick as well. Then you'll know. The gunsmith can check both possibilities safely and give you an answer. You will also get some feedback on the overall sturdiness of the gun. A good shotgun gunsmith will consider things you never heard of. Thanks for asking, Todd

[@joeldennis831]

Thank you for your advise. Looks like the search is on for a shotgun gunsmith.

[@StevenMMan]

So a quick question. What is your inside diameter of your cartridges after sizing. I have a project that requires a .727-.730 inside the cartridge diameter. My virgin brass is at .766, so trying to decide if the die set will be worth the purchase. I've posted on my channel hints to the project. Mountain man

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Steve, There's not much resizing happening with the die. A lot of times there is no resistance. I always resize just to be sure, but it I seldom have to work hard at it. I'll measure, though, and see where they end up. Todd

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Steve, Just measured a case. It's .766. So, if expansion happens, it get resized to .766. Sorry this doesn't solve your issue, but at least it didn't cost you money to find out. Todd

[@StevenMMan]

@Frontier Western Heritage I appreciate it. At this point the only reason I see for that die kit is the shell holder, and the crimping attachment. I reached out to rocky mountain cartridge company yesterday. Not heard back from them yet. Thank you

[@JWheeler331]

I haven’t crimped mine yet but want to because they would feed better in the original 1887.

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

I'm jealous. A Winchester 1887 is on my list. I have yet to scrape together the funds, however. Have fun with it and thanks for watching, Todd

[@JWheeler331]

@@frontierwesternheritage1356 I lucked up on and original 1887 at a pretty good price because it had been redone. It’s a pretty gun though. Also found a nice original 1901 in 10g that I absolutely love. Both can be seen on my channel. Thanks for making great content.

[@pacanis]

Is there a Part 1 to this? I admit, I was fast forwarding a lot to get to the actual using of the RCBS die, but I didn't see you set up the die in your press or use it for decapping... Don't you use the decapping insert?

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

Thanks for commenting. I used a hand held decapper and tumbled the brass in a rock tumbler with polishing solution and ceramic beads. The tumbler cleans out the primer pocket and the inside of the case. I apologize if I didn't mention any of this. I did resize the cases in the RCBS die, but they didn't need it. I could resize and decap with the die, but then black powder fouling gets inside the die. That's why I use a hand decapper, polish the brass, and then resize. Thanks for watching, Todd

[@pacanis]

Thanks for the reply, Todd. Very good point on the BP fouling. That is exactly what I have been loading my brass shells with. By hand. I just got the RCBS Cowboy die and was going to start using that, but maybe I'll rethink still doing a few steps without it. Appreciate all the great videos you put out!@@frontierwesternheritage1356

[@terrellkroening6023]

Question: What is the press # that you are using? I have the dies but need the press. Thanks

[@frontierwesternheritage1356]

It's the RCBS Rock Chucker single stage press. I'd go out in the garage and get the number for you, but I'm in Texas hunting wild pigs. The most important feature is the removable coulet that holds regular dies when in place and the shotgun die can fit there when the coulet is removed. Thanks for watching, Todd

[@terrellkroening6023]

:Your the best !! Thank you @@frontierwesternheritage1356

[@joevangorder1006]

For anyone else looking into this, I found Creedmoor sports sells a replacement turret head for the t7 press that takes wedges for quick change of both 1¼-12 and standard 7/8 dies... it's not cheap at around $400 but in my case it saved me from buying and storing another separate press just to have the correct threads for these dies or if I ever decide to load 50bmg. Very happy they had this available. Thanks for the video on loading them!! It's appreciated!!

[@anatolygrishin4234]

Don't crimp brass shotshells.