Worst Case Scenario Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Just got my SxS and wondered if buying 6 or so snap caps would allow me to practice unloading/reloading at home. Good idea? Any recommendations on which ones mimic weight/feel of the real thing? Whatcha think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Buy 'em or make 'em, its what I'll be doing when the gun comes back from the MFR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Worst Case Scenario Posted March 28, 2022 Author Share Posted March 28, 2022 I've seen something about making them but not much detail on getting the weight right. Anyone know a video or tutorial that does it right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Search this how to make shotgun snap caps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Medallion Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Load up a few with spent primers and sawdust for powder. Don't wast money on snap caps. I bought a few and never used them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nostrum Damus SASS #110702 Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Do you want to practice loading or shucking? They're full of shot and weigh more when you load 'em, obviously. I use completely empty crimped and closed hulls, no primer (so everyone can clearly see that they are dummies when they are in the belt). The weight matters much less to me when grabbing from my shell belt, but I want to make sure I'm shucking with sufficient motion and while keeping the barrel within the 170-degree limit. As TO/RO, I often have to warn shooters that they are breaking the 170 rule when shucking their SXS guns, usually by pointing the barrels straight up or even slightly past vertical. Shucking is done by pulling backwards, not by pointing the gun up in the sky and pulling down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carolina Reaper Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 I originally made my own but they didn’t hold up well to all the handling and hitting the floor - I eventually got these from Amazon - I also liked that they look nothing like an actual live round https://www.amazon.com/Action-Pro-Shotgun-Trainer-Cartridge/dp/B00RG6RJ32/ref=sr_1_18?crid=1WJCNJKX9DK64&keywords=Shotgun+snap+caps&qid=1648476225&sprefix=shotgun+snap+caps%2Caps%2C112&sr=8-18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cypress Sun Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 You can also use pencil erasers in the primer location. This allows you to replace them as needed. Use sawdust or sand as powder with normal wad and shot. One important part though...purchase a tube of Plumbers Goop in the purple tube. Use it to seal the crimped end of the shell. Stand the shell on end, add the Goop so that it barely is over the top rim, it will "absorb" into the shell and seal it. By doing this, it keeps the shot from coming out after multiple uses. Also, only practice where the shucked/jacked shells will land on a padded area like carpet or padding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Worst Case Scenario Posted March 28, 2022 Author Share Posted March 28, 2022 Great advise, thanks all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eyesa Horg Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 I believe this came from Grizz a while back. To fill the primer hole, chuck a piece of hot glue stick in your drill press and push the hull onto it while it's spinning. Trim off excess. Works well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cholla Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 I bought four factory snap caps so I could practice. I do not feel like they replicate a real-life feel. Yes, they are close to the real thing if the shells are loaded, but they do not replicate an empty hull, so shucking them is easy and not realistic. Since there is no expanding of the hull and crimp, they just fall out. They also create a hazard to tile floors and bare feet when shucked, painfully so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Chapo Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 I tried making some yesterday by putting 38 bullets in the hull and topping it off with hot glue. Unfortunately I packed them too tight and the hulls won't fit in the chambers, so I'm going to try something else. I may just do one bullet per hull now that Cholla has mentioned that, because shucking a heavier hull isn't realistic compared to an empty one with just a spent primer in it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rip Snorter Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Seems to me there are two practice situations: The first, loading and dry firing which should be done with snapcaps (bought or built) that cushion the hammer fall. The second, situation, shucking the empties can best be done using empty shells which are free. The second stage practice would be easier on those who care to practice barefoot or on hard surfaces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tequila Shooter Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 If you’re using them for a SxS then you should consider making up simulated loaded hulls. The key is to try to get the feel as close to possible of your actual shell, so length and weight should be close. I wouldn’t use a spent primer though you’ll want something that will absorb the impact of the firing pins. If you have a FASTENAL or a McMasters and Carr near you you can get 5.5mm diameter Burna-N o-ring stock, preferably the harder 90 durometer. Place a piece in the primer pocket, a little rubber cement, trim to fit, good to go. For shucking practice just take some of the shells you’ve already shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straight Arrow Hombre Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 I find no value in practicing with weighted shells. Quite the opposite really. if you can load empty shells fast and reliably, the loaded shells will be a piece of cake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branchwater Jack SASS #88854 Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 6 hours ago, Nostrum Damus SASS #110702 said: As TO/RO, I often have to warn shooters that they are breaking the 170 rule when shucking their SXS guns, usually by pointing the barrels straight up or even slightly past vertical. Shucking is done by pulling backwards, not by pointing the gun up in the sky and pulling down. Great point. Another comes when folks don't give themselves enough room. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Pay the shipping (small USPS flat rate box) and I'll send you 6 or if you prefer 8. They are about the same weight as a AA or STS empty hull. Primer pocket is filled with an O-ring that will hold up to more dry fire practice than you can stand. The interior is filled with an extremely light weight material that will allow the hull to maintain its shape. They will either be Hot Pink or Orange in color so you can visually tell them from most live rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Pat Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 Look at these from Brownell’s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sedalia Dave Posted March 28, 2022 Share Posted March 28, 2022 9 minutes ago, Irish-Pat said: Look at these from Brownell’s How do they compare in weight to an empty AA or STS hull? Practicing with a SXS using hulls that are heavier than empties will cause a shooter to develop poor shucking habits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tequila Shooter Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 Quit all this shucking stuff, get an ‘87 and lever your way to happiness. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tequila Shooter Posted March 29, 2022 Share Posted March 29, 2022 @Worst Case Scenario I have some of Sedalia Dave’s dummy rounds, they work great and hold up well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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