Brass hulls for reloading

[Third_Rail]

I've been searching through MidwayUSA and I noticed that they have brass shotshells for reloading with... Now, could I theoretically use a very light load and DBSP for my coachgun, or would I really only be able to use blackpowder??

 

[Dave McCracken]

In theory, it's possible and even not too difficult to make up loads for all brass cases to use in modern shotguns.

But, there's little real data, components for plastic cases oft do not interchange, and it's a slow process.

Ballistic Products and Circle Fly may have some components for brass hulls as well as Midway. BP may have some loading data also.

HTH...

 

[Third_Rail]

I think I'll just be making a light load with a minimum charge of DBSP, and maybe 7/8oz of lead shot. No cup, but a felt pad behind it... a few, and a nitrocard, too.... that SHOULD work nicely. Plus, if I can get this working, I'd be able to reload it until I ruined the primer pocket, not much else could go wrong with it unless I step on it...

 

[Dave McCracken]

I just peeked at those in the new Midway wishbook. Note they take rifle primers. Hard to find usable recipes, IMO.

Pardon my ignorance, but what's DBSP?...

 

[Poodleshooter]

DBSP= Double Base Shotgun Powder? As in nitroglycerin/nitrocellulose instead of just nitrocellulose (single base).

I saw those brass hulls,too. They look very interesting, if regular shotgun wads can be used,and they don't require any resizing.

Regarding the shotgun primer issue: has anyone ever cut up a used shotgun primer? They use what looks very much like a rifle or pistol primer inside of that much larger cup that fits in the pocket.

 

[Third_Rail]

Close, double based smokeless powder. And it turns out that rifle primers work just fine. My uncle's suggestion to me is to start with a super light load and work it up until I can shoot a 1 1/2 oz slug or 1 3/4 oz shot.

 

[kudu]

I saw the brass shells too, when my Midway wish book came. I was wondering about loads just for the heck of it. If anyone works some up, post about them. I might have to pick up a box of 25.

 

[Third_Rail]

Well, I ordered 2 boxes of 25 each, I'll be working up some light loads, then upping it gradually... I'll be working with slow burning flake powder, btw.

 

[Dave McCracken]

A couple caveats, folks....

Unless you're a seasoned ballistic technician with a modern lab at your disposal, DON'T try to develop new loads.

Going from one shotgun primer to another, according to one load book I read recently, can change the pressure in a 1 1/8 oz load 4000 PSI. By itself, that's enough sometimes to turn barrel metal into shrapnel.

Add a guesstimated amount of powder unsuited for the load, and someone has nominated themselves for the Darwin Awards.

OTOH, since these are offered by a reputable company, mayhap there's reliable loading info out there. If so, be sure to follow the recipe exactly.

 

[Third_Rail]

I'm not too worried at all. These are solid brass hulls, designed to take pressures well over standard 2 3/4" hulls.... plus, a rifle primer gives less fire than a 209 primer, thus again lessening the chance of breaking my shotgun. Add in the fact that if you develop a really light load from the ground up there's only a tiny chance of overpressure... and I'm willing to take the chance.