doublegunshop.com - home Forums General Discussion DoubleGun BBS @ doublegunshop.com Brass Hull Question

I have used some of the magtech hulls with the small primer hole. I was wondering if the older Alcan brass hulls can be modified for the 209 primer? Do any of you have any preference for either style? I know RMC makes hulls but are quite expensive. Any input welcome.

Dwight:
I believe any Alcan brass hull is at least 40+ years old today. At that age, I would not venture to use them. Brass becomes brittle with age, and may split on firing. This is a big reason why governments dispose of old ammunition. I'd say just buy more MagTech hulls and keep your mind at ease.

Best, Kensal

Hello

I have and use Alcan and Magtech hulls.

For Alcan hulls, I have thousands of *57 primers.

What is your issue with Magtech hulls?



It is easy to make a decapping pin and recapping insert
to allow these used on a standard MEC press or other
press
Mike

The smaller primers for 16 ga hulls since I don't have dies for my PW. I use my lee loadall. I have not used any Alcan. How do you make the recapping insert?

The recapping insert is easy but I cheated and got mine
from an old shotshell press.



In the old days they could load either regular primers
or battery cup primers.

For the Magtech 16 gauge hulls are you using an over diameter wad?

http://circlefly.com/html/wad_sizing_chart.html

Why are you using brass cases and not 2.5 inch plastic or paper hulls?

http://www.precisionreloading.com/mm5/me...ode=16_GA_2_1-2

Alcan made some brass hulls for the Remington size 57 primer, which unless you have a supply on hand will be very hard to find today. The vast majority of their brass hulls however were made for a 6.45mm Berdan primer. This primer is .254" in diameter or larger than a 209 primer. The Berdan primer was suitable only for black & bulk or easy igniting dense smokeless as Red Dot.

An old Lyman manual recommended for their use with progressive powders to drill through the primer pocket with an undersize drill from inside the case & C'Sink the pocket till a 209 size primer would press in flush.
I have never tried this but Lyman did recommend it. Would also be a possibility should anyone have any of the early Berdan Mag-Tech brass.
Should be no big deal though to fit a single stage loader to prime with the pistol primers of current Mag-tech brass, which would be best all around for using the all-brass shells.

I would not recommend modifying Magtech brass for 209 size primers,
I would not recommend modifying Alcan brass for 209 size primers.
I would use them as they were intended to be used, as is !!

*57 primers can still be found.
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=214241474


It is not a problem to work with large pistol primers in Magtech brass.

But if brass is not mandated by some special need, I see no major
problem with plastic or paper hulls.

Mike

Thanks for the info. Right now I use the plastic hulls 2 1/2" from chedite and they work fine. I have used the magtech brass hulls for 28 ga with the oversize wads. I saw that there are some 16 ga Alcan hulls available and was wondering if there was any advantage to using them. I have not tried an 1 1/8 in the 2 1/2" hulls for waterfowl or phesant.

No advantage to using the Alcan hulls if you are satsified with plastic.
As far as 1 1/8 ounce stuff, why?
The one ounce square load is great for pheasants and also with non-tox for ducks and geese.
Just my old man opinion

RETIRED Today

I use the 2.5 inch 16 gauge stuff in my Kreighoff drilling, Geco Guild gun, Win Model 12 Skeet grade, OLD pre-war A-5 Browning,
and my 16 gauge Browning Superposed.

Mike

The late season northern mallards and the giant Canada geese can be pretty tuff stuff here in the north. Normally I shoot a 2 7/8 10 but thought someday I might try the 16.