Several recent price increases on factory shotgun shells have many shooters reloading. Some have no experience and ask advice on Web forums. Many questions are about basic components, so here’s a primer that provides an overview.
There are five basic components in shotgun loads.
Tapered Hulls and Straight-Sided Hulls
Often called a case, reloaders generally call it the hull. There are two basic types. The tapered hull, as its name implies, has a slight taper. The straight-sided hull does not. Tapered hulls have slightly less room for components than straight-sided hulls. This is ballistically important because it affects chamber pressure of the shell as it ignites. Hulls can be reused after shooting factory loads, or they can be purchased new from sporting goods retailers. Some retailers also sell once-fired hulls for reloading. Some factory shells are called promo loads because they’re made with less sturdy components intended for a one-time use. Most reloaders don’t bother with these, opting instead for hulls from manufacturers’ main lines and premium loads.
Shotgun Primer
A short cylinder that fits into the center of the base of the hull and provides the charge that ignites the shell when the firing pin strikes. Several manufacturers make primers, each of which has its own level of brissance, or explosive force. This affects how quickly and forcefully the shell’s powder ignites, which affects chamber pressure. Because a hot primer can push certain recipes into the unsafe range of chamber pressures, reloaders are very careful to match the correct primer with a particular load. Recipes specify which primer is the correct match.
Shotshell Powder
A wide range of powder is available from a number of manufacturers. Powder characteristics vary by grain size and density, explosive force, speed of ignition, completion of combustion and amount of residue left in the barrel. Recipes indicate exactly which powder and how much of it may be used in a load. A fundamental of reloading dictates that powder is not substituted or varied in amount without having the load tested by a ballistics expert to make certain it’s safe. That’s why reloaders rely on tested recipes.
Shotgun Wad
Made mostly of plastic, wads perform three functions. First, they seal in the gases of the exploding powder, making the full force of the ignition work to propel the shot forward. Second, wads contain the shot in a plastic cup that keeps it in a compact column as it travels down the barrel and protects against a buildup of lead. Third, wads cushion the shot so it doesn’t get deformed by the explosion. Different wads have different chamber pressure characteristics, so be sure to get the right one specified in the recipe.
Lead Shot
Lead, plated lead, steel, and dense alloys are available to reloaders. Lead is the typical choice for practice. Some prefer chrome or copper plated lead for upland birds and small game. Steel is required for waterfowl, and some use the dense alloys. Recipes specify how much shot to use.
Before buying components, pick a recipe for a particular use, whether practice or hunting. The recipe determines which components go together in a specific load. Using tested recipes, shotgunners can find the load that works best for them and saves money over factory loads.
Safety First
Don’t vary a recipe without consulting a ballistics expert. As pricey as that may sound, their services are available at reasonable rates. Experienced reloaders who adjust recipes or develop their own routinely have ballistics experts test their loads and provide advice on tweaking them.
 |
