Loading copper-plated 12ga. shotgun shells

[Diamond Curly SASS#57086]

I was gifted these shells that were supposed to have been loaded with black powder from a member of my local gun range. I never shoot reloads from anyone even if I have known them for a long time. The shells look more like copper than brass but I thought maybe they were just aged to that color. The shell was marked with the #2 which was supposed to be shot size. I stripped all of them today and doubt they were loaded with black powder and attaching a picture of the unloaded powder. They appeared to be the 209 shotgun primers but surprise number two they are Berdan primers. These shells have no manufacturer stamping other than 12 gauge and are 2 3/4 inches long not 2 1/2 inched like my brass shells. I also am attaching one of them next to my brass shell.

I still think they are copper but not positive. Any questions just send me a message. Thanks, DC

 

 

Edited September 26 by PaleWolf Brunelle, #2495L
edit title & text

[Blackwater 53393]

I’ll take ‘em!!

 

Sending PM!

[Major E A Sterner #12916]

Those are russian shotgun shells,I think they're copper washed steel but don't quote me on that.I bought some at a gun show maybe 15 years ago thinking I would use them for CAS. as I remember they were a very heavy load recoil wise.

[Blackwater 53393]

2 hours ago, Major E A Sterner #12916 said:

Those are russian shotgun shells,I think they're copper washed steel but don't quote me on that.I bought some at a gun show maybe 15 years ago thinking I would use them for CAS. as I remember they were a very heavy load recoil wise.

That’ll be interesting!!  I’ve loaded brass and zinc metallic shells. 
 

I’m looking forward to seeing what these do and how they reload!

 

Good information, Major!

THANKS!

[Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L]

OP did say they were Berdan primed

[Blackwater 53393]

7 hours ago, Cowtown Scout, SASS #53540 L said:

OP did say they were Berdan primed

Yep! There’s a couple of fixes for that.  I figure I’ll reload ‘em with Black Powder and shoot ‘em and then do the conversion. 

[Blackwater 53393]

I finally got around to checking out these shells!!

 

They are, in fact copper plated steel. They will use 11ga components as they have very thin walls. 
 

The Berdan primers are slightly larger than 209s, so I will reload them with a Black Powder load and shoot them. Then, I’ll decide what method to use to get them to hold the 209s.

 

I plan to experiment with my 12ga metallic dies to see if they will roll crimp. They WILL require a different case lube if I resize them! I will find a solution for that issue when I get to that bridge!

 

I will see if the moderators will move this thread to the Wire so that it can be updated at longer intervals!

[Blackwater 53393]

Thanks, PW!! 
 

There’s no real need for this exercise, except to see if these can be made to work with regularly available components.

 

Early CBC and some MagTech brass shells were Berdan primed. If I can develop a simple process to adapt these to use domestic boxer primers, some of those early shells might be reclaimed!

[Blackwater 53393]

SO!  I slid two or three of these into my 12ga CH4D sizing die and they easily went most of the way in. I haven’t decided what specific sizing lube to use, so I didn’t try them in the press.  I’ve been hopping in and out of the shop and running around seeing doctors and I haven’t had time to load them up and shoot ‘em yet. Maybe this weekend.  I did find information on what size drill to use to get the 209s to fit and I plan to drill the Berdan primers to use as bushings.  When that’s done, I’ll drill the primer pocket to produce a fire hole for the 209s and hopefully, a land for them to seat against.

 

I’ll add photos as I go through the process.

 

 

Edited October 1 by Blackwater 53393