Replicating antique shotshells?

[WestKentucky]

I have read and found a few references to how old shotshells were made. Yes shells, not muzzleloader guns. I want to use and/or mimick the technology available in the 1880 to 1900ish era. That means fiber wads and overshot cards with black powder if my thoughts and insights are right. I would use a black powder replacement (pyrodex fff) most likely because it is cheaper and much more easily found locally.

So, am I correct in my research that a period 16ga load in a 2-5/8 shell would be about 70 gr BP, a fiber wad, an ounce of shot, and an overshot card crimped into place? If using plastic hulls, a rollcrimp will be easiest so using the same or similar recipe, just rollcrimp so that the whole load is snugly crimped into place?

Sorry if i made some stupid mistakes trying to figure this out, my shotgun reloading is very limited and is in line with more modern equipment and modern loads.

 

[troy fairweather]

i use the magtech brass shotshells, there about $20 to $25 for a box of 25. with bp they last for ever. i use pyrodex rs because black is not sold here in ny. works great for me. i use a hard over powder wad, then a fiber wad, shot the a over shot card use wood glue to hold the over shot card in place. very easy to load. lee makes a adjustable powder/ shot dipper for less then $5. with the brass shells if they close in the gun then there safe to use, trim if to long.

there is site with good loading info and loads, i am trying to find it for you. making bp shotshells are fun to do and shoot. what gun you loading for?
i have used plastic shells they don't last to long, but i cut off the crimp and load like the brass shells.

 

[troy fairweather]

if buying wads for the brass cases you get one ga bigger. so for 16g you will need 15ga wads, i may have some for you let me look.

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/170/1

 

[troy fairweather]

http://www.tbullock.com/bpsg.html

 

[indy1919a4]

So if you used a shot gun case that was not as big as the chamber would you have a problem in this case??? Fascinating video thanks..

 

[troy fairweather]

So if you used a shot gun case that was not as big as the chamber would you have a problem in this case??? Fascinating video thanks..

you mean shooting a smaller gauge shell in the chamber?

 

[indy1919a4]

you mean shooting a smaller gauge shell in the chamber?

Good point, I was not clear, So staying with the 10 ga shell example, I was referencing the part where he was making the chamber casts, then cutting down the brass cases to that chamber.. What if you had brass shells that were not as long as the chamber.. But the same gauge as the shotgun.

 

[troy fairweather]

Good point, I was not clear, So staying with the 10 ga shell example, I was referencing the part where he was making the chamber casts, then cutting down the brass cases to that chamber.. What if you had brass shells that were not as long as the chamber.. But the same gauge as the shotgun.

ya that would work fine. they could be 1/2'' shorter and would work.

 

[indy1919a4]

That was what I was thinking, I realize in the example that was being showing, the concern was making them fit, But I was thinking that life would be easier if they were no so long. Moocho thanks

 

[eastbank]

I shoot black powder in plastic once fired cases, I prime in my mec 650 and hand dip the powder and then just run them tru the mec, inserting the plastic wad and dropping the shot and crimping them. I throw them away after one fireing. at out turkey shoots they give away all the cases and I have close to 1000 on hand at all times. I shoot them out of a stevens-springfield hammer gun with steel barrels and clean up with water and then carb cleaner to clean any plastic in the bore.

 

[troy fairweather]

only one i have right now is a 1872 newman bros hammered sxs 12ga with the side lever, made in belgium. i shot a light load of 2 1/2 DRAMS with #6 shot, no real need for more. for cleaning i used the bath tube with hot water and soap, olive oil in the bore when dry or ballistol if i have any. always check a week or so later that you got the bore clean.