Hull mistake - safe?

[DMGunn]

Hello, all.

I am just getting started with a bit of reloading - like everyone else it seems - and last night I did my first 4 shotshells. To preface, let me say I live in a small town where there is no chance of finding a reloading manual, but I will be buying the Lymans 5th edition on Friday when I go to the nearest Gander Mountain. So for now I am using a recipe I found somewhere.........

I am doing 27 pieces of #4 buckshot, WAA-12 wads, and something like 23.6 gr of Universal Clays in 2-3/4" Remington hulls. I read here that all the Remington green hulls are compatible, so I figured I was good to go. While I was counting #4 pellets and dispensing them into the first shell, I realized there were no existing crimp marks. To my horror I remembered these were originally slugs.... :banghead:....... well, I did 3 more just for the experience, and because I couldn't help myself (I am enjoying this), but I would like to know if I can use these things, or if it was just an educational exercise.

Are these hulls safe to use in this manner?

 

[freakshow10mm]

So for now I am using a recipe I found somewhere.........

STOP RIGHT THERE!!!

That is not smart and not safe. You have no clue what you are doing and you might get hurt or hurt someone around you.

Buy the book ABC's of Reloading. Read it cover to cover.

Buy at least one shotun manual. Read it cover to cover.

A shotgun load is a recipe. Use the exact components in the exact manner in which they are listed and described.

Since you are new, do NOT take any load off the Internet or from someone who is quoting it from their head.

This is your golden rule: If it is not in the manual in front of me, do not load it.

Any time you use words like "a recipe I found somewhere", "to my horror I remembered these were originally slugs", and "something like23.6gr of Universal Clays" it makes me cringe. It seriously does. Until you know exactly what you are doing, don't do anything. Handloading takes care and attention to details. You haven't shown that yet. Crawl, walk, then jog, then run.

 

[DMGunn]

I should have been more specific. I have a tendency to understate.

The recipe came from a legitimate source - one of my precious few resources - I just don't remember which one (Lee manual, Hogden website, just don't remember). The powder, likewise, is correct, but I couldn't recall the exact measure when I asked the question - and it wasn't part of the question. I agree, I know nothing about this, and I will be doing a large amount of reading this weekend.

The answer to my question will no doubt be covered in one of the manuals.........I will take your advice on the book and most likely pick that one up as well.

 

[lgbloader]

Any time you use words like "a recipe I found somewhere", "to my horror I remembered these were originally slugs", and "something like23.6gr of Universal Clays" it makes me cringe. It seriously does.

Yup.

Until you know exactly what you are doing, don't do anything.

Asolutely correct.

Handloading takes care and attention to details. You haven't shown that yet. Crawl, walk, then jog, then run.

I would listen to Freakshow.
LGB

 

[DMGunn]

No disrespect, but no, my house is not on fire. Even though I followed an established recipe, I discounted these four shells as practice. I had no intention of using them unless by chance it turned out that the hulls were the same as the Remington shotshell loads. This is why I asked the question. If I was indeed "clueless" which, by the way is not appreciated, I would have gone out and fired the loads without a second thought. THEN "my house would be on fire". I am not about to go down any new paths, I was simply trying to get a feel for the crimp, and going through the steps in anticipation of the AA hulls I will have after I shoot some clays this weekend.

 

[Wildyams]

I would recommend the Lyman Shotshell reloading handbook. it has a ton of information in it from .410 to 10 gauge. It also has relaoding information for lead, steel, bismuth, heavyshot and slugs.

as for crimping a hull that was originally loaded with a slug, i'm not sure about. but its only 4 shells, so i would just not risk it.

 

[RoostRider]

If I had said "Yeah, I do it all the time".... what would you have done?

If it blew out your eyes when you shot them, could you look me in the eye and say it was anyones fault but your own?

I think lgbloader is pointing out that it is clueless to try getting very sensitive, potentially dangerous information from a net forum..... that shows right there that you don't know what you are doing and that you should read some books BEFORE you start reloading, no matter how long you have to wait to start reloading.....

The fact that you are contemplating shooting loads you know very little about, after making them without learning all the ins and outs first, based on advice from a net forum.... well, it forebodes very bad reloading practices....

Welcome to the world of good reloading practices! This is really one of those things you should do right or not do at all.....

 

[rcmodel]

I don't know right off the top of my head?

But a roll-crimped slug hull may not be long enough to make a star-crimp over buck-shot.

On top of that, I don't know if the base wad is the same height or not, which would change the internal volume & resulting pressure.

If you compare an empty slug hull with an empty "green" shot hull, and everything measures exactly the same length & depth inside, the recipe would be fine.

If it was fine to start with.

rc

 

[USSR]

If it blew out your eyes when you shot them, could you look me in the eye and say it was anyones fault but your own?

Uh, he wouldn't be looking anyone in the eye.

Don

 

[Owen]

if there is any doubt in your mind, don't shoot them.

 

[Bula]

I absolutely agree with the above posters, read, read and read again. But, guys if we all knew absolutely everything about reloading prior to pulling the press lever, would we even need the Handloading forum? When I ask about load advice for anything, the responsability to validate said loads is absolutely on me. I think you guys came off a little harsh, dude is just trying to tap into the great resource here at THR.

 

[lgbloader]

but I would like to know if I can use these things

No disrespect but the above original post does sound very clueless. Especially this last line here.

I wont try to argue with you about how much you know or don't know about Handloading. Only you can honestly answer that. But there is a thread about newbees coming on this forum here and stating some very dangerous practice:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=443467


Your post was kinda relevant. I hope you work it out.

Good Shooting.

LGB

 

[DMGunn]

Thanks for the replies, guys.....the recipe is sound - the only variable is the shells. My original post makes it sound like I was all eager to go out and shoot these things - sorry about the tone - the reality is that I have no shortage of good (factory) shells, and good common sense. On the other hand, I may be known as somewhat of a tightwad, so as I assembled these 4 "educational" shells, they ended up looking so nice that I started to consider putting them to use. I realize this is a hobby of precision, and that is why I asked the question here on THR - home of the most knowledgeable and responsible shooters (for the most part) that I have come across (I lurked for quite some time before registering). I wanted to come across as I did, because I found a bit of humor in it. Obviously I was alone in that respect.

Point is, I will be poring over the books this weekend (got a glimpse at one today, and was happy to see pics and detailed descriptions of various hulls), and will go from there.

I appreciate the concerns, just not the condescending attitude of some of the guys here - I try to be tactful when dealing with other people whose background is unknown to me, and I expect the same courtesy in return.

Thank you rcmodel - you are the only person that actually tried to answer the question - and as far as the practice shells are concerned, they will be relieved of their buckshot and disposed of.

 

[lgbloader]

Good to hear you got a loading manual. Best thing you could do right now is read, read, read.

Shotshell is very unique in the fact that one good hull recipe in the correct type hull could be recipe for disaster in another hull type using the same exact components. Not at all like metallic handloading.

You will figure that out as you go. Looks like your now on track.

LGB

 

[huntsman]

Thanks for the replies, guys.....the recipe is sound - the only variable is the shells.

Cut a hull open to see what the base is, if it crimped ok the only real issue is pressure.

Are you using WAA12R wad? You powder choice is in line for what Hodgdon shows for AA hulls. I use HS-6 for my Buck (#4 & 00) with Remington hulls.

 

[USSR]

I'm presently using 28.0gr of Unique with 9 single-aught (.319") weighing about 1 oz. in a Figure 8 wad and Remington hull.

Don

 

[RoostRider]

If it blew out your eyes when you shot them, could you look me in the eye and say it was anyones fault but your own?

Uh, he wouldn't be looking anyone in the eye.

Exactly.... so the answer would be... NO...

DMGunn- glad to hear you got it figured out.... NOW you're on your way to a good reloading career.... have fun and be safe...

PS- better for us to err on the side of caution with the warnings than let you blow your eyes out.... right?....