Loading shotshells by hand wasn’t worth the time and effort for most people until they were not available. If you have tried to find .410 shotshells, you have no doubt found them unavailable or at a price that causes cold sweats and rashes. With a few hand tools and components shotshells can be loaded and the loads that we can’t find to buy can be assembled by hand.
What it takes to get started loading shotshells by hand
- roll crimp tool
- shell holder
- powder
- wads
- shot
- over shot cards
- hulls
- Loading Data
The crimp tool, shell holder, wads, over shot cards, and primed hulls, and loading information are available from Ballistic Products Incorporated. Some of the items can also be found on sites such as ebay. Also you can contact Craig’s Outdoor Sports for help in getting set up to load shotshells.
Loading The Shell
After you have a primed shell a measured amount of the correct powder for the load you have chosen must be dropped into the shell. A powder measure can be used or a dipper such as the ones available from Lee can be used. A dipper made from an old cartridge case and a piece of wire could even be used if you have the ability to make one. The picture shows dropping the powder into the shell using a Lee powder measure.
After the powder charge has been dropped into the shell a wad is inserted. The wad is inserted into the shell and pushed down on the powder using a dowel. A pencil or punch will work.
The next step is to measure or weigh an appropriate shot charge. If you have or can make a dipper with the correct volume, using a dipper will be the most efficient way to measure shot. If a dipper isn’t available the shot can be weighed on a scale. The measured shot charge is dropped into the shell and an overshot card is inserted on top of the shot.
Once the powder, wad, shot, and overshot card is in the primed hull, it is ready to roll crimp, Roll crimping is accomplished by using a roll crimping tool with a hand drill or a drill press. A tool to hold the shell is also needed. Shell holders can be purchased or made from wood or plastic by drilling a hole the correct diameter and cutting the slot out to form the handles.
Finishing The Shell
After powder, wad, shot, and the overshot card are in the shell, the shell can now be roll crimped to finish the process. The Roll crimp tool is chucked up in a drill, the shell is placed in the holder, and the crimp tool is placed on the end of the shell. The drill is turned on and pressure is applied downward to form the roll crimp. The amount of pressure used and the speed of the drill motor determines how nice of a crimp is made. A little bit of trial and error is required to end up with the best looking roll crimps. Even the ones that don’t look perfect seem to function okay, but with a little bit of practice a really fine roll crimp can be consistently produced.
The contents of Craigsoutdoorsports.com are produced for informational purposes only and should be performed by competent gunsmiths only. Craigsoutdoorsports.com and its authors, do not assume any responsibility, directly or indirectly for the safety of the readers attempting to follow any instructions or perform any of the tasks shown, or the use or misuse of any information contained herein, on this website.
Always use and follow published loads from a reliable source. Always double check the powder type and amount used.