Shotgun shooting can be an expensive hobby, especially given the rising cost of ammunition. However, it doesn’t have to be. You can save some bucks by loading your shotgun shells. Loading your own shells gives you complete control over the quality and performance of your ammunition. In this guide, you’ll learn how to load your own shotgun shells easily and safely.
What You Need
Before you get started, ensure that you have all the essential tools. You’ll need a reloading press, die set, reloading manual, primers, gunpowder, wads, and hulls. You can get all these items at a reloading supplies store. It’s crucial to follow the reloading manual’s instructions for each component carefully.
The Reloading Process
Assuming that you have all the necessary tools, here is the reloading process. Note that this guide provides a general overview; you should follow the specific instructions provided in the reloading manual for the specific components.
Step 1: Clean and Inspect Hulls
The first step is to clean your hulls with warm water and let them air dry. Then, you should inspect each hull to ensure that there are no cracks, dents, or other damage that would make it unsafe to use. After the inspection, sort the hulls into piles according to their length and size for ease of use during reloading.
Step 2: Resize and Prime the Hulls
Using the resizing die, resize your hulls to the appropriate size. This step ensures a proper fit between the hull and the resizing die. Then, prime the hulls using the priming tool. Primers are the ignition source that ignites the gunpowder in the hull.
Step 3: Fill the Hulls with Gunpowder
Using a powder measure, measure and pour gunpowder into the primed hull. Follow the instructions provided in the reloading manual to ensure you get the right powder charge. Ensure that you don’t exceed the maximum powder charge recommended.
Step 4: Place and Seat the Wads
Place the wad into the hull over the gunpowder and use a wad seating die to seat it down. Wads are essential in keeping the pellets separate to ensure an even shot pattern.
Step 5: Load the Shot and Crimp the Hulls
Pour the shot into the hull through the wad and use the crimping die to crimp the hull. Crimping seals the hull and holds the shot in place. Follow the instructions provided in the reloading manual to ensure a proper crimp.
Conclusion
Loading your own shotgun shells can be a fun and cost-effective alternative to buying pre-made ammunition. It gives you complete control over the quality, performance, and consistency of your ammunition. However, you should always follow the reloading manual’s instructions carefully and exercise extreme care and safety throughout the process. By following these steps, you’ll be able to create your own shotgun shells like a pro!
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