scrat
Member
Ok lets get one thing straight im not posting this to say this is the way you should reload shells. However for those who have ever reloaded shotgun shells using an old lee loader you will understand the concept behind this. There was an article posted in Guns of the Old West a year ago. A fantastic article where the author showed how to make 12 guage shotgun shells using black powder. The authors tools were a wooden 5/8 dowl a long 3 1/2 inch penny nail, a socket, small hammer and a xacto knife.
Ok lets look at some lee loaders. These are some Very rare lee loaders. From top to bottom 12Guage Deluxe lee loader, .410 deluxe lee loader, (brand new never used .410 lee loader)
However i will be using for this DEMONSTRATION
a hammer, shot gun cleaning rod, socket 3 1/2 inch penny nail. Supplies new primer, wad and over the shot card
First step cut off the crimp use an exacto knife try to cut straight. In this picture i just cut it fast to show you For demonstration purpose
Next place the shell over the socket use the penny nail insert it in the primer and tap out
Now place a new primer on a flat surface place the shell over the primer. put your cleaning rod in the hull and tap down until flush.
now charge your case with your favorite load and powder. After you do this. Take your matching Wad. Start inserting it by hand then use the cleaning rod and tap it until it firmly meets the powder.
now pour in your desired measure of shot
Now insert your over the shot card.
there you go your done. One tip i learned a long time ago. A dab of elmers glue around the over the shot card. Now this method of loading shells actually works and people do use this method. Though a press is a lot better. It is possible to load shot gun shells by hand. A lee loader is very similar to doing this differences is that the lee loader has a tube that is used to make sure the shell is not swelled. by inserting the shell the theroy was the shell should go down to size. This however was originally designed to use with paper shells where you could steam them to get them straight. The lee loaders i have also use the tube to hold the shell in place then use a dowel type rod to push in the crimp. There are a few circular hand held starter crimps that make it possible to get a good factory style crimp using a lee loader. I usualy only cut the tops on shells that have been used several times or shells that i intend on using black powder. As black powder burns a lot hotter and usually melts the plastic a little. Im sure there are others than can give you some advice if you are interested in loading for shells. One thing i did not show or mention is the wads used, shot used and powder used. You need to consult to a load data chart to get that information as it is very important to use the proper load for shot gun shells. Again this was just to give you a demonstration on how shells used to be loaded in the old days.
Ok lets look at some lee loaders. These are some Very rare lee loaders. From top to bottom 12Guage Deluxe lee loader, .410 deluxe lee loader, (brand new never used .410 lee loader)
However i will be using for this DEMONSTRATION
a hammer, shot gun cleaning rod, socket 3 1/2 inch penny nail. Supplies new primer, wad and over the shot card
First step cut off the crimp use an exacto knife try to cut straight. In this picture i just cut it fast to show you For demonstration purpose
Next place the shell over the socket use the penny nail insert it in the primer and tap out
Now place a new primer on a flat surface place the shell over the primer. put your cleaning rod in the hull and tap down until flush.
now charge your case with your favorite load and powder. After you do this. Take your matching Wad. Start inserting it by hand then use the cleaning rod and tap it until it firmly meets the powder.
now pour in your desired measure of shot
Now insert your over the shot card.
there you go your done. One tip i learned a long time ago. A dab of elmers glue around the over the shot card. Now this method of loading shells actually works and people do use this method. Though a press is a lot better. It is possible to load shot gun shells by hand. A lee loader is very similar to doing this differences is that the lee loader has a tube that is used to make sure the shell is not swelled. by inserting the shell the theroy was the shell should go down to size. This however was originally designed to use with paper shells where you could steam them to get them straight. The lee loaders i have also use the tube to hold the shell in place then use a dowel type rod to push in the crimp. There are a few circular hand held starter crimps that make it possible to get a good factory style crimp using a lee loader. I usualy only cut the tops on shells that have been used several times or shells that i intend on using black powder. As black powder burns a lot hotter and usually melts the plastic a little. Im sure there are others than can give you some advice if you are interested in loading for shells. One thing i did not show or mention is the wads used, shot used and powder used. You need to consult to a load data chart to get that information as it is very important to use the proper load for shot gun shells. Again this was just to give you a demonstration on how shells used to be loaded in the old days.
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