Videos - Reloading shotshells without a press

[Clemsum]

Your Videos made me pull out my old Lee Loader that I used a long time ago and try it again. I used plastic wads and ended up using my press to get a crimp that I liked (just like 1969) but it was fun to use the Lee again.

Mine is in the black/red box and the shot dipper is aluminum and marked from 7/8 to 1&3/4oz. I also have a set of the Lee dippers that are black plastic. Does anyone know what the numbers on the dippers mean. These are before metric system dippers.

I scanned the instructions for the loader and will try to attach them. I had to attach them in 3 posts.

[Clemsum]

Printed instruction pages

[Clemsum]

Photo Instructions, the pages should be viewed side by side

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

Clemsum,

Thanks for posting the instructions. My set is just like yours. I was certain that my shot dipper was a fixed 7/8ths oz dipper because I've tried for 14 years to extend it to no avail.

After seeing yours I decided I was being too gentle. So I tugged the living daylights out of it, and...!BANG!...all of a sudden it poped open. Now I have an adjustable shot dipper!

Thanks Clemsum

[Sir Charles deMouton-Black]

Your Videos made me pull out my old Lee Loader that I used a long time ago and try it again. I used plastic wads and ended up using my press to get a crimp that I liked (just like 1969) but it was fun to use the Lee again.

Mine is in the black/red box and the shot dipper is aluminum and marked from 7/8 to 1&3/4oz. I also have a set of the Lee dippers that are black plastic. Does anyone know what the numbers on the dippers mean. These are before metric system dippers.

I scanned the instructions for the loader and will try to attach them. I had to attach them in 3 posts.

Thanks for posting.  I still have an old 20 ga. Lee Loader & I think the pamphlet is still with it, if I can find it!  I also would be interested in a charge table for the old numbered dippers

[Clemsum]

I scanned the slider chart from the old style dipper set but when I reduced the file size to meet the posting restriction it was not legible. I also had to scan 1 side of the slider in 2 parts due to the length, but you should be able to print it and put it together to get the info.

Send me a message with your e-mail and I will forward the scans.

Clemsum

[wildman1]

BDM, when you say any shotgun hulls, do ya mean any. I'm askin because I've never reloaded shotgun before and was wondering about the nonbrass bases on some of them. WM

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

I've never used hulls without a brass base, but I suppose they would work with this method. If they are reloadable at all, then this method ought to work.

[wildman1]

It's not difficult getting the primers in I just wondered if it was safe. I know ya don't want ta reload nonbrass in rifle or pistol. WM

[fourfingersofdeath]

Most of the guys here that load BP shotshells use the scrounged 'non reloadale' hulls from the trash can after the Sporting Clays guys leave. Most also discard them after one load of black. Nearly everyone loads on a press that I can see. The old tools in the antique shops are more expensive than a Lee Load All. As such, most seem to just use the star crimp.

I like the home made tools, excellent. I will try them even though I have a press. How do the cut shells feed in to the chambers for cowboy shennaghins?

One of our very experienced shooters uses wads punched from waxed banana boxes! Gotta try that as well.

I looked for an old tool for the roll crimping and found it was way cheaper to import the roll crimper from Precision.

Thanks for the entertaining videos, I ended up surfing through countless shotshell loading videos on YouTube! Another few hours down the tubes, but I learnt a fair bit.

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

I got a roll crimper in March at a gunshow for $19...I saw tons of them there.

Just last week I bought a lot of antique reloading tools on eBay for under $50...roll crimper with a plunger to seat wads, two rosewood de-capping blocks a capping tool, two loading tubes, rosewood rod for seating wads, wad cutter and three different adjustable powder/shot scoops.

So, there are still good deals out there.

[wildman1]

Reloaded my first shotgun shell (without a press) last nite looks pretty good. To bad I can't step out the back door and let er rip, but I live in town and that might get some of the neighbors upset. Guess I'll have to wait til I get to the range tomorrow. Thanks for the vidio Mike. WM

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

Way to go Wildman!

[wildman1]

Mike, seems like the questions never end. Been loadin and shootin, and have acquired some gunk in my barrels, doesn't seem ta wanta come out. I'm usin Circle fly nitro card, unlubed wad and overshot card, held in place by a small amount of Elmer's white glue. Looks like glue ta me, any ideas on how to remove it? I am shootin BP and am cleaning after every shoot. Thanks, WM

[Lefty Dude]

I use Elmer's, you must let the glue dry and cure hard before you shoot the loads.

It could also be leading of the shot string. I use a plastic wad for this reason. I install a nitro card over the powder,then the plastic shot cup. Some also use a steel plastic shot cup that has no petals attached.

With my BP all brass shell loads I get no leading or plastic fouling in the barrels.

[Bottom Dealin Mike]

Hi Wildman,

I can't imaging that it is glue in your barrels. The amount of glue to use per shell is tiny, and it is so brittle it just breaks into powder.

I'm with Lefty Dude. I'd check for leading.

[wildman1]

Lefty Dude, Mike thanks that was it. I've only leaded one barrel before, that was in an H&B Buffalo Classic it did not look the same. WM

[Pappy Myles]

Most excellent Mike, thanks for taking the time putting this together!