Dangers of shotshell shortening.

OkayShooter

OkayShooter

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So I make prepper slugs. I use bird shot, use tools to cut the inner crimp out, re cast the shot into slugs. Put them back into the shell.

I use Lee 7/8oz drive slugs and got good accuracy. But because they're short. They rattle around.

I also have lyman 525grn that are longer but accuracy isnt as good.

What danger is it. If I cut the crimp right out, pull the wad out, cut the pedals shorter, slap back the slug and roll crimp the shell?

Left I used the cut out crimp as a spacer, right just a piece of cardboard.

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No issue at all as long as there's petals around the base of the slug to keep it riding right down the bore

I reload using claybuster 7/8oz grey wads and never have an issue and dont need to trim. I fold crimp and roll crimp. It makes no difference over than overall length
 
Snider shooter said:
Shouldn’t be a problem. When I was experimenting with the old style Lyman I’d cut the petals back and some cases where too long so I cut some off. Helped with roll crimping. I stopped doing it due to finding a better load with the Lyman 525 gr slug.
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The Lymans you sold me, they still rattle a little. I found the federal value pack, the hulls a little thinner than the challengers I used before.

So if I shorten the hulls 1/4", won't have any dangers?

Basically I want to trim the pedals on the wad, then roll crimp the hull. To fit the slug better. Which would shorten the OAL a good 1/4".
 
OkayShooter said:
The Lymans you sold me, they still rattle a little. I found the federal value pack, the hulls a little thinner than the challengers I used before.

So if I shorten the hulls 1/4", won't have any dangers?

Basically I want to trim the pedals on the wad, then roll crimp the hull. To fit the slug better. Which would shorten the OAL a good 1/4".
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Hull length does not matter much.
 
A couple ways to make the slug fit. Shorten the case or put a card wad under the slug. If petals are too long cut them. I was having trouble with star crimp and trying to roll crimp. I found cutting most of the crimp off allowed the roll crimped to work better. I have new Fiochii cases with no crimp which give a nice roll crimp. I also experimented with cutting 3” down. Plastic was a little thick for a good roll crimp. Best crimp I got was on Winchester and Remington compression formed cases. Front part of cases are thinner.
 
Thanks. The federal shells im using are def thinner than the Challenger shells I used.

Guess I'll look at some new tools.

I use a leather punch for cardboard wad cards to keep the drive slug from sticking to the wad and sometimes can compress it too much. Might have a 5/8 hole saw somewheres.

 
As everyone is saying .... there is no danger.

You are making basically 2 changes:

1.) Roll crimp instead of a fold crimp
2.) Replacing the shot with a slug

And both of those changes ..... will reduce pressure ...

You are good to go!!!
 
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0faustus0 said:
As everyone is saying .... there is no danger.

You are making basically 2 changes:

1.) Roll crimp instead of a fold crimp
2.) Replacing the shot with a slug

And both of those changes ..... will reduce pressure ...

You are good to go!!!
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It is cheaper than buying slugs, components and another press.

Figure a spacer card with a rolled crimp to hold the slugs in better, as they rattle.

My buddy told me to turn down my punch to fit a drill to cut cardboard better.
 
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