OT- (Sorry) Info needed on loading brass shotshells?

[abcollector]

Where would a body find the information to reload brass shotshells with both blackpowder and smokeless powder? And are brass shells okay to fire in any modern shotgun or are there some that you shouldn't shoot them in?

Thanks

[Lefty Dude]

http://www.circlefly.com

[Gun Smith]

They can be used in any properly chambered gun. The problem is the sharp edged lip as opposed the the large radiuslip on paper or plastic shells may hang up in magazine shotguns. The load is more important than the type of shell you use. A brass shotshell will not make your shotgun better able to handle hot loads. When I was 'smithing I had customers that shot high base shells in their damascus barreled shotguns. I never saw one that had blown up. That doesn't mean it never happened. About the only thing I remember about loading brass shells was that we used waterglass to seal and hold the over shot wad in place. This stopped the repeated crimping that wears out you expensive brass cases. Loading data is the old original dram measurement on shotshell boxes, i.e. 3 DRAMS black powder to 1 OUNCE of shot. That would be a field load. The important thing to remember is NEVER leave a space in the shell between the powder and shot. And adjust the wad column to just level the shot to the top wad.

[Lefty Dude]

I reload and shoot brass 16 ga. shells. I would not attempt this, had I not had years of both cartridge & shotgun reloading experience. Reloading Brass shotgun shells is a combination of both. I reload smokless. My cases are modified by Hammer Double and use standard 209 primers. Magtec makes the shells in 410 to 12 ga. and they are set up to use large rifle primers.

I use a combination of fiber wads & plastic wad columns. I was fortunate to find at a gun show lots of old Alcan wads, two grocery sacks full and in boxes for $5.00. Also a friend gave me the same amount of Alcans marked for brass shells. I have a life time supply.

Other sources of info:

http://www.balisticproducts.com

http://www.rockymountaincartridge.com