Stainless Shotgun Shells?

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marsofold

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Just got a Stoeger 20-Gauge 20" barrel shotgun at a yard sale. I vaguely remember seeing stainless steel reloadable shotgun shells online a long time ago (1990s)? I reload 454 Casull shells and would like to reload metal shotgun shells if they actually exist. Does anyone remenber such existing, and if so do they still exist to buy or am I just getting foggy with age? Thanks to any help with this question.
 
As in whole body made of stainless steel? That would be incredibly hard on the collets of any shotshell reloader, probably would get stuck in my MEC. Rio makes hulls with a high based nickel-plated steel base, but the only all-metal hulls I've seen, like jeepnik says, are brass.
 
"Silver Bear", the Russian brand, has various steel shotgun shells -- I've seen them in 12 ga and 410 ga. The cases are usually zinc-plated, and apparently (not 100% sure) Boxer primed. I see pictures of other steel shotgun cases that have been copper plated. I dunno if they are sold empty, but hey, you can empty them the "fun" way.
 
If there ever was such a thing, there is not now. Brass shells exist. Magtech are the least expensive, but are too thin to use plastic 20 components and are intended for Black Powder. Rocky Mountain Cartridge Company made lathe turned brass shells that use plastic shell components but they are quite expensive.
 
Gelrir said:
"Silver Bear", the Russian brand, has various steel shotgun shells -- I've seen them in 12 ga and 410 ga. The cases are usually zinc-plated, and apparently (not 100% sure) Boxer primed. I see pictures of other steel shotgun cases that have been copper plated. I dunno if they are sold empty, but hey, you can empty them the "fun" way.
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Thank you; I had forgot about Silver Bear. I've only seen them in .410, though.
 
In the 60’s Alcan marketed an all metal shell, for the hand loading market. Just watched a YouTube Video on it The base was brass color but steel,same as a modern plastic hull, the hull itself a dull grey metal, non magnetic. YouTuber thought it may be aluminum.
 
Aren't the brass cases typically 2 1/2"? Do they use an over-wad instead of a folded crimp?

I believe they mostly use large pistol primers.

Are there any that take a small rifle primer?
 
I’ve never fired all metal shotgun shells. Does the glue holding the card in place ever melt under the friction/heat of firing and gum up the barrel?

Stay safe.
 
Riomouse911 said:
I’ve never fired all metal shotgun shells. Does the glue holding the card in place ever melt under the friction/heat of firing and gum up the barrel?

Stay safe.
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Not if it's being done right. The overshot card should be two gauges larger diameter than the shell being loaded, pushed down hard on the shot. The glue should be just a dab either side to make sure the card doesn't shift. It gets blown out with the shot. I have never found glue or waterglass residue in a barrel and that includes after a 40 round match of CAS.
 
5DE4913F-A2CD-409E-9B71-B98C3DEA1152.jpeg I use RMC hulls for upland hunting when I am walking with a SXS. Yes, they are expensive. They will, however, last long enough that my grandkids will be able to use them. Very finely made.
I also use them for heavy duty slug loads. This one is loaded with a BPI “Thug Slug”.
I used to use waterglass (liquid sodium silicate) to seal the shot loads. Now adays I use Devcon cement. Works just fine.
Crimping....you are not gonna crimp an RMC hull. Too strong a case.
The drawn brass hulls from Magtech will crimp but the crimp may not straighten out when fired. (How do I know this?)
 
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Pete D. said:
View attachment 869071 I use RMC hulls for upland hunting when I am walking with a SXS. Yes, they are expensive. They will, however, last long enough that my grandkids will be able to use them. Very finely made.
I also use them for heavy duty slug loads. This one is loaded with a BPI “Thug Slug”.
I used to use waterglass (liquid sodium silicate) to seal the shot loads. Now adays I use Devcon cement. Works just fine.
Crimping....you are not gonna crimp an RMC hull. Too strong a case.
The drawn brass hulls from Magtech will crimp but the crimp may not straighten out when fired. (How do I know this?)
Click to expand...

I assume you need a full length resize for these? I've just got a lee load all so I dont think they'd work with my press but maybe...

I've seen em before and decent 16 ga. hulls are so hard to find.
 
The RMC hulls generally do not need resizing.
I have a resizer for them but rarely use it.
 
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