I saw this on another forum and figured I'd document the steps of the loading process. This is a general technique I was taught by a few fellas on here, I did not create these recipes or process and I am simply documenting the process I was shown as well as the tools used to help anyone in future. I'd like to thank Hawglips, Basser69, 3Toe, and Squeaky for their instruction and helping me with all my questions.

Firstly you need shell components and shot each recipe will call for slightly different components so I will not get into component or load specifics. I ordered most components And tools from BPI or precision reloading.


Also, you will need a few tools. All of which will cost about 100$
ReLoading scale
Hull vice
Roll crimp die
Drill (preferably a drill press)
Powder trickler
Buffer dipper/scoop
Shell holder (this I made from a 1x6 and drilled 10 holes to fit a 20ga hull)
5/8" dowel cut to 2-3/8" length with screw in one end

First you need to prepare your wads. In this case one piece of cork and 2 pieces of felt.

I pushed these down and packed them with the screw on my dowel.


Next I rolled up a Mylar (not all loads will call for this) and placed it in the wad and worked it down snug between the felt and the wad until flush with the wad.




I was shown for this particular load to trim the hulls, not all recipes may call for this. Place the dowel into the hull with screw sticking out.(you may need to take a little sand paper to dowel so it fits in hull better) and trim Hull with razor or exacto knife.

Once you get all the wads and hulls prepared you are ready to move on to putting the shells together.


Weigh powder


Put into hull and tamp down.


And place wad into hull ontop of powder. (some loads might call for a gas seal on top of powder before the wad)


Pack down wad to create a good seal onto powder.

Next you will measure shot and buffer if needed.


Add to wad already packed down in hull on powder.


add overshot card and viabrate or tamp down

Now you are ready to roll crimp, place in hull vice on drill press.


Turn on drill and slowly apply pressure to hull melting/crimping it down onto overshot card. You want to be able to shake shells and not hear shot moving around.


Last, label the shell with a pen, I used fingernail polish to seal shells.

Thank you.