16ga.com ~ View topic - Brass hulls...fired hulls...dos and donts

Joined: 31 Jul 2016 Posts: 9 Location: East Bridgewater MA

im still in the getting rolling phase of this Shot gun thing but have ordered Magtech shells and may load some black powder for fun but think that smokeless will be as much fun and it seems a few guys here load smokeless in the brass shells..ill have more questions for you!!
My biggest question is this...can i load once fired plastic hulls like loading brass hulls???...by that i mean can i load them with an over shot card glued in??...I have a bundle in reloading stuff now and dont want to add to it with a Shot shell reloader...and dont mind loading them the slow old way...has anyone done this?
thanks in advance

I suggest that you obtain a copy of Lyman's 5th addition of Shotshell Reloading.
Once fired plastic hulls are not generally sealed with OSC's, instead and using a press, a crimp is applied to the hull mouth.
I started reloading over 55 years ago using a Lee loader and still use the same set of tools when I load my RMC hunting loads.
Sorry, I have no experience loading Magtech hulls.
good Luck,
Jim

Joined: 31 Jul 2016 Posts: 9 Location: East Bridgewater MA

Magtech brass are challenging in that their internal dimensions are meant for fibre wads and the data for them is black powder tyoe loads.

There are a few who have developed some smokeless data for fibre wads, and even some plastic hull smokeless loads, but they are to the best of my knowledge all down at home without the benefit of commercial verification

That does not mean you can't use their data, I have tested some loads, but it is not without risk.

The better course is to do plastic hulls and use tested data, as you gain experience and determine what works best for you then play with magtechs.

Further yes you can do plastic hulls with a roll crimper on a drill to seal them.

I use a cheap drill press from harbor freight, but you can use a hand drill to do the job

Joined: 31 Jul 2016 Posts: 9 Location: East Bridgewater MA

Joined: 31 Jul 2016 Posts: 9 Location: East Bridgewater MA

Look Here

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lee-Load-All-II-/172289155189?hash=item281d3be075:g:9eQAAOSwtnpXnMPH

Dave if you use the search function and search for MAGTEC SMOKELESS RELOADING, you will find some useful info.
Jim

As the Colonel stated, I would suggest working with the plastic hulls first and gain a level of expertise before working with the magtechs and smokeless powders. I do have at least six different loads in the magtechs with smokeless and payloads from 5/8 oz to 1 1/8 oz. Only one has been pressure tested. The others are based on assumptions of comparing tested plastic loads and placing them in a larger volume magtech hull. I have tried unwaxed wads and waxed wads. I lose velocity with the unwaxed due to poorer gas sealing. So I use only waxed fiber wads. I also use the reloading dies to size the brass, and also place a crimp on the mouth to retain the overshot card. I do not use glue for the overshot card. I believe Byrdog has used 12 ga plastic wads in the magtechs which I have tried but I have not been able to get decent results with that method. Byrdog may be able to offer more advice for you also.

Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 603 Location: Victoria BC Canada

I am back from holidays, and back on 16ga.com.

To answer the OP, yes you can use plastic hulls of almost any convenient length with an over shot card glued in. I have done it. Mostly with RXPs and Nitro 28s as they don't roll crimp

I still prefer the Hartin crimp over roll crimping as long as the crimp section of the hull remains unsplit. search this forum for the details. Roll crimping depends on just the right thickness and pliability of plastic for success.