MidSouth Shooters SupplyRotoMetals2Titan ReloadingRepackbox
Load DataWidenersReloading EverythingLee Precision
Inline Fabrication
Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12
Results 21 to 37 of 37

Thread: DIY paper shot cup to replace plastic wad?

  1. #21
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    3,901
    I would not use paper as a replacement for special steel shot wads, which are much tougher than the common wads used for lead shot, you will scar your barrel.

  2. #22
    Boolit Grand Master

    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    Castlegar, B.C., Canada
    Posts
    7,933
    Another thought... the paper might tear as the payload leaves the cartridge and enters the forcing cone especially if using 2 3/4" hulls in a 3" chamber. If the paper tears then the steel shot could get to your barrel. I'd test with lead shot first then recover what's left of the paper tubes to see if you can determine if they shredded or tore. if they are layered and glued they should be pretty tough so a tear should show up.

    You can order bismuth shot from Will Bilozir in Alberta. He is a Canadian BPI distributor.

    You can also order Mylar and Teflon wraps and it might be a good idea to use Mylar or Telflon wraps inside your paper tube then if the tube does tear the wrap will contain the shot. Hmmm, Mylar and Teflon wraps are used with shot anyway so maybe easier and safer than using paper though not readily available. Now having said that if these wraps are safe with shot then even your paper tube shouldn't need a closed bottom as I first said.

    Testing should tell you anyway. Good plan.

    Longbow

  3. #23
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Las Cruces, NM
    Posts
    4,535
    Why are you not using std wads made for steel?

    http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Mul.../products/652/

  4. #24
    Boolit Master marlinman93's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,730
    Quote Originally Posted by charlie b View Post
    Why are you not using std wads made for steel?

    http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Mul.../products/652/
    Yes, the question has been asked previously, with no reply.

  5. #25
    Boolit Master

    rancher1913's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    plains of colorado
    Posts
    3,640
    how about shotcups made from plastic milk jugs, there is a fellow on here that is finding it works for pistol shot loads so it would just be a bigger cup.

  6. #26
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    111
    Quote Originally Posted by charlie b View Post
    Why are you not using std wads made for steel?

    http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Mul.../products/652/
    Dont think they will work with brass shells to much blow by that is why I want to work with paper/cardboard

  7. #27
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    111
    Quote Originally Posted by rancher1913 View Post
    how about shotcups made from plastic milk jugs, there is a fellow on here that is finding it works for pistol shot loads so it would just be a bigger cup.
    That is a great option for me to try as well thanks.

  8. #28
    Boolit Buddy
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    111
    Quote Originally Posted by longbow View Post
    Another thought... the paper might tear as the payload leaves the cartridge and enters the forcing cone especially if using 2 3/4" hulls in a 3" chamber. If the paper tears then the steel shot could get to your barrel. I'd test with lead shot first then recover what's left of the paper tubes to see if you can determine if they shredded or tore. if they are layered and glued they should be pretty tough so a tear should show up.

    You can order bismuth shot from Will Bilozir in Alberta. He is a Canadian BPI distributor.

    You can also order Mylar and Teflon wraps and it might be a good idea to use Mylar or Telflon wraps inside your paper tube then if the tube does tear the wrap will contain the shot. Hmmm, Mylar and Teflon wraps are used with shot anyway so maybe easier and safer than using paper though not readily available. Now having said that if these wraps are safe with shot then even your paper tube shouldn't need a closed bottom as I first said.

    Testing should tell you anyway. Good plan.

    Longbow
    Testing with lead first may be the smartest way to go so if their is a failure at least I wont be doing any damage...
    theirs a reason I ask here first always get answers for things I did not think about doing or trying...

  9. #29
    Boolit Master marlinman93's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Oregon
    Posts
    2,730
    Quote Originally Posted by Survival Bill View Post
    Dont think they will work with brass shells to much blow by that is why I want to work with paper/cardboard
    Guys use them all the time with brass shell casings in cowboy action shooting.

  10. #30
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Outside Rolla, Missouri
    Posts
    2,170
    As you're using brass hulls you're obviously also using, probably, a hard card and fiber cushion wad. Paper shot cups should work fine. I use them in all my BP, brass case loads. I would question whether or not they will protect your bore from the steel shot, not whether or not they will work as a shot cup.
    "In general, the art of government is to take as much money as possible from one class of citizens and give it to another class of citizens" Voltaire'

    The common virtue of capitalism is the sharing of equal opportunity. The common vice of socialism is the equal sharing of misery

    NRA Benefactor 2008

  11. #31
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    530
    Do you have Tetra pak type of cardboard pacs in the States? They have plastic or wax coated cardboard that might be suitable for this need.

    S

  12. #32
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Las Cruces, NM
    Posts
    4,535
    I use plastic wads in brass shells, but, mine are 20ga.

  13. #33
    In Remembrance
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Near Mazomanie, Wi.
    Posts
    1,195
    I am in the process of loading some original brass 12 ga. shells with black powder. I have developed a pattern with 5 petals, made from file folder stock for a shot cup. I load the BP, an over powder card, then fiber cushion wad(s), the shot cup/shot, and cards to make the up the rest of the column height. I haven't shot any of these, but I don't see why this shouldn't work, the shot cup is between wads so should stay together. At least, I hope. Time will tell.
    NRA Life
    NMLRA Life
    F&AM

  14. #34
    Boolit Mold
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Posts
    3
    I know this is and old thread but I've been working on building some short (2") shells and tried a paper sleeve made from sheet rock joint tape that actually worked well. My purpose was to keep cast #1 buck off the barrel as in the plastic wads using straight walled hulls with gas seal, cushion wad and assorted fillers to build the column and still keep the shot from leading the barrels. I cut the tape into 2.5" pieces and using the fold line built into the tape halved the cut pieces. after figuring out the shot column height I cut some tabs and pre-folded them to the middle of what became the shot collar and also made a partial base for the cup and the shot to sit on. The collars didn't appear to slip or crumple up. From the picturesClick image for larger version. 

Name:	Paper shot collar.jpg 
Views:	40 
Size:	20.3 KB 
ID:	282582

    they appear to have stayed in place to the muzzle where they were torn by gas expansion. The paper wasn't pierced where the pellets rode the bore as is seen in the plastic wad. I measured no significant velocity change between shells with paper collars an those without but didn't record an improvement in pattern density that I was hoping for either.
    Captain R.

  15. #35
    Boolit Master
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Eastern WY
    Posts
    1,959
    You said you would use 'BB' size shot. BB's for air rifles are much harder than 'steel' shot made for loading shotgun shells. Air rifle BB's can damage your shotgun barrel due to hardness. I hope you were talking about shotgunning steel shot.

  16. #36
    Boolit Bub
    Join Date
    May 2021
    Posts
    57
    Quote Originally Posted by Survival Bill View Post
    Can one make 12 ga paper shot cups to replace plastic wads I am just wondering as since we have to use steel shot that I want to still protect my shotgun barrel but am wondering if their are pressure problems if paper does not compress would they have to be lubed or what ever or will a paper shot cup work just fine for a plastic wad replacement?
    Im definitely going to start making my own wads and cards. I went out a couple weekends in a row shooting at the little range on my sisters property they set up....yeah...plastic everywhere.
    I just ordered a punch off ebay to make the cards and wads with...just need to get some cork and whatever else I can use that will degrade quick.
    I know if I had property and someone wanted to shoot or hunt i dont want plastic wads all over my woods.

  17. #37
    Boolit Grand Master Harter66's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2010
    Location
    120 miles North of Texarkana 9 miles from OK in the green hell
    Posts
    5,347
    BB sized shot is .186 , size B is .177 as is air rifle shot . For clarity only .
    In the time of darkest defeat,our victory may be nearest. Wm. McKinley.

    I was young and stupid then I'm older now. Me 1992 .

    Richard Lee Hart 6/29/39-7/25/18


    Without trial we cannot learn and grow . It is through our stuggles that we become stronger .
    Brother I'm going to be Pythagerus , DiVinci , and Atlas all rolled into one soon .

Page 2 of 2 FirstFirst 12

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check