Thread: Reloading brass hulls for an English Black powder s/b/s 12 gauge.

A simple question, but as I have no local s I can ask, I ask here.


I am reloading, BLACK POWDER FF, card and fibre wads, (no plastic) in period brass hulls for an old English 12 gauge s/b/s. Thanks to the admirable Kingsley Field, I now have a goodly number of brass hulls ranging from 2 ½ to 3 inch. Time to mention that I will not be crimping them for logical and the preservation of vanishing past artifact reasons.


However, I need to establish the chamber size of the “old Girl” as nothing, I repeat NOTHING about chamber size is stamped anywhere on her barrels. I thought that by sliding a rod down from the chamber end of the barrel, I would encounter a “resistance”’ when I reached the “forcing cone” point but no, only a smooooooooooth gradual reduction in size in the gauge until it pops out the spout................ Bother.


She has Extractors and if I insert uncrimped, brass 2 inch, and 2 1/2 inch hulls, the lock closes nicely. Doesn’t want anything to do with uncrimped brass 2 ¾ or 3 inch hulls.


QUESTIONS:......at last I hear you sigh.
1...Am I correct in assuming her optimum chamber capacity is 2 ½?


2..As I have a good collection of other hulls which I am keen to load with different loads, am I again correct in assuming that any loaded brass hull NOT CRIMPED with an overall length of 2 inches up to 2 ½ should be OK?


3... Does this also apply to paper / card / plastic hulls, STAR CRIMPED with an overall PRE FIRED length of up to 2 ½ inches, or do I have to ensure that the after fired overall length does not exceed 2 1/2 inch?


I dwell upon this as I’m a bit concerned about intruding into the “forcing cone” area and producing too much pressure as she has “Twist” barrels which demand my respect.

Also any advice on “adhering” the over shot card to the brass hull seeing I am not crimping, would be appreciated. I thought 4 spots of my bee’s wax lube mix . Wotcha fink?

All comment most appreciated.