10 ga. wad alternative

[Milton C Starr]

I havnt noticed any leading problems using nitro cards and fiber but I am using coated lead. I have made my own shotcups before but didnt notice any benefit in pattern so stopped using them. You can get a wad trimmer to shorten those steel shot wads, a 10 ga wad should be close in dimensions to a 12 ga hull so a 12ga hull trimmer would probably work. Really all you need for cutting slits is something shaped like a cross or t pattern as the petals should be cut equally apart. Oh yeah I just remembered I seen a guy just chuck a broad head arrow tip into a drill press to cut uniform wad slits.

[Keith Doty]

Many years ago when I started reloading steel shot (suffering sever price shock) none of the wads were split. Only source was a company called Non-toxic Components as I remember. They sold and I had a wad splitter that kinda looked like the 4 blade nut/veg chopper you use in the kitchen. As steel shot prices came down, duck limits came down, and my income went up I stopped reloading steel, got rid of the special stuff and all the steel components. I wish I had that tool back.