DIY Mini Shells - Possible?

sixty9santa

sixty9santa

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So I just ordered the Russian Forest Camp Roll Crimper Table Tool and I was wondering how this can be used to make Aguila style mini shells from target loads?
I have about 300 unfired rounds of target loads and I'm entertaining the idea of making mini slugs or simply mini bird/buck shot rounds from 2 3/4" hulls.
Any ideas?
 
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Shells like the aguila Mini shell are loaded with nothing more than a gas seal wad which doesn't have a cushion section.
The stiffness and compliance of the cushion section of the wad also happens to affect pressure.
Shotshell load data is very component specific, right down to the hull, primer, wad, payload, etc.

Target shotshells are usually loaded with relatively fast powders, you will not be able to safely make minishells by modifying target loads if you're using the factory powder.
You're better off loading from scratch using published load data.
 
hmr-hound said:
Cool tool, it does look like the press stroke might limit how short you can go. The drill tool is now in my amazon cart lol, that should load shorty shells just fine
Click to expand...


I use a short shell kit from Mec on my 660Jr to over come the shell length press stroke.

Wads i use ;The SSW is a short wad with a compact cushion section.

My loads are 1 7/8" not mini , but they feed and cycle.

Like Digitalblue mentioned, You're better off loading from scratch using published load data.
 
Rookie{OMC} said:
I use a short shell kit from Mec on my 660Jr to over come the shell length press stroke.

Wads i use ;The SSW is a short wad with a compact cushion section.

My loads are 1 7/8" not mini , but they feed and cycle.

Like Digitalblue mentioned, You're better off loading from scratch using published load data.
Click to expand...

The minis are what, 1 5/8"?

What sort of a load do you make and what's your purpose?
 
How much power is required for 3 gun? In the one I shoot we have to knock over some heavy steel. I light load would not work.

If you took a loaded round, cut off the end, dumped the shot, pulled the wad and cut the was off just above the piston (getting rid of the shot cup and legs) you could then cut the shell back to take 3/4 oz of shot sitting on top of the piston.

But the pressure would be unknown. Reducing the shot charge would help, but without a pressure gun, I would not know where I stood.

If you need power, mini-shells a re a non-starter.

I would glue a top wad on top, since I don't have a roll crimper.
 
I loaded up some 1 3/4" mini's for 3 gun last week, and was so happy when I got 10 of them in the mag. But... they feed 2 at a time on the lifter on my A5 and none make it to the chamber. If I feed one mini in the mag first so it's the last one out, then I can get 7 more regular shells in the mag, one in the chamber and ghost load one below the bolt for a total of 10 to start the stage.
I loaded the mini's the same as the regular target loads 1 1/8 oz except I cut out the middle 1/2" part of the wad. Then put in an overshot card and roll crimp with the Forest camp tool.
 
Hawken. said:
I loaded up some 1 3/4" mini's for 3 gun last week, and was so happy when I got 10 of them in the mag. But... they feed 2 at a time on the lifter on my A5 and none make it to the chamber. If I feed one mini in the mag first so it's the last one out, then I can get 7 more regular shells in the mag, one in the chamber and ghost load one below the bolt for a total of 10 to start the stage.
I loaded the mini's the same as the regular target loads 1 1/8 oz except I cut out the middle 1/2" part of the wad. Then put in an overshot card and roll crimp with the Forest camp tool.
Click to expand...


I settled at 1 7/8" . Feeds and cycles in Win 1100, Versa max, and my 870.

I also had problems going shorter.

I just use the normal 8 fold crimp to close them up. ( I do skive the hulls for folded crimps) I roll crimp the slug loads
 
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