Objective
This tool is designed to mount in a single stage reloading press, allowing the user to punch their own full-size 12 gauge shotshell wads and gas seals. This is ideal for folks loading traditional black powder shotshells, shooters who belong to clubs that only allow biodegradable waddings, or anyone who just wants to be able to produce their own components.
Construction
The tool consists of two components including a punch, and die. Starting with the punch, it’s made from hardened tool steel designed to maintain a sharp cutting edge. If you’re the kind of reloader who loads tens of thousands of shells, you’ll be pleased to know the tip has been bored out and extra material left in place so that it can be re-sharpened easily should the need arise. The base of the punch is designed to fit a Lee Precision, single stage press, however it should fit any brand with sufficient clearance that’s compatible with Lee shell holders.
The die will fit any press that accepts standard 7/8-14 threaded reloading dies. It can handle materials up to 1/4 inch thick, with enough clearance to move them freely through the cutting field. I chose to use stainless steel for this part to ensure a long tool life with a minimum of required maintenance. So long as it’s not abused, it should last pretty well forever.
Installation
To install this tool, the operator begins by slotting the punch into place and raising the ram. This step helps ensure everything’s lined up well when installing the die, to avoid damaging the cutting edge during operation.
With the punch upright, the user proceeds to thread the die into place overtop of it.
That’s really all there is to installation; if you can install a reloading die in a single-stage press, you can install this punch tool.
Operation
The operator begins by lowering the ram part way until the punch is just below the feed port on the die, but still inside the base of the die. All reloading presses have a bit of play in the shell holder, so the safest way to protect the cutting edge is to simply feed the punch into the die part way before engaging the cutting edge on material.
Next, the user simply slides the material to be punched into the feed port and begins operating the press as normal. As shotshell wads are punched, they will be pushed out the top of the die where they can be collected. If the operator’s intention is to produce a great many waddings in one sitting, it is advisable to place a container (a margarine container works well) with a hole cut in the bottom on top of the die, allowing them to stack up inside and avoid making a mess.
Materials
The punch works quite well with a number of materials including regular and corrugated cardboard, cork, vegetable fiber, felt, and leather.
Summary
The finished filler wads measure 0.738″, the same internal diameter as a standard 12G shotshell wad. Provided the user employs appropriate material, these can be used to replace conventional full-sized modern shotshell wads as well as traditional varieties used in black powder reloading.
Demonstration
Check out this product video to see these punches in action.