Brand new 8 gauge wad punch came in this morning.

[Milton C Starr]

Took a few weeks to finally get here but I finally got my wad punch for the 8 gauge. A few weeks ago I started browsing for wad punches or circle punches, there seem to be alot of different styles and names depending on the seller.

I was beginning to think I wouldn't find a size for the 8 gauge, the fiber wads and overshot cards you buy are .850". I have seen 7/8" wads used in 8 bores rifles but those have much thicker barrels and dont have to worry about being squeezed through a choke. What I found is 21.5mm is what you're looking for I've read tolerances for machining put the punches diameter at .846-852" etc which seems perfect to me.

There's a few reasons I wanted a punch, in Toms book I think he mentions felt seals better in the bore than fiber wads and also they don't confetti out the muzzle. Another point is I use 3/4" of wadding in my 2 1/4oz loads, the fiber wads come in 1/2" sizes. While they are easy to split they are always slightly different or inconsistent. The plan is to use three 1/4" durafelt wads so I will have a better material and the wad height will be the same each time. The last point is I dont like the looks of the plain white overshot cards, I will probably get some stamps made so I can mark them to how they looked back in the day.

I did some testing with some thick green paper I had on hand, they appear the same diameter as the white ones I bought as you can maybe see the green one overlaid on a white one. I think its going to work out as intended not bad for the $9.99 I paid :rotf:. I was surprised it actually came in a decent little case.

[Mills Morrison]

Cool!!!

[Milton C Starr]

Heres a few more pics.

[Milton C Starr]

Cool!!!

Mills you replied faster than I could upload the test of the pics haha.
I plan to work on doing some wad and card making for the 10 gauge eventually. Well I guess when it comes to wadding I dont have to worry about whats in or out of stock anymore.

[charlie cleveland]

great pictures and the green wad looks good....charlie

[Stan Hillis]

Nice, clean looking cuts on the wads. I'm interested in what you have in mind for doing vintage style stamping on the OS wads. I've always wanted to find something to do that with, too.

[Milton C Starr]

Well what I plan on doing is measuring the visible area of the overshot card after its roll crimped to see what diameter stamp I need. Then decide what design to use I've seen many different kinds of overshot card markings. My personal favorite are the ones that have the shot size payload weight and powder type. You can get custom ink stamps made for $10-20, not that expensive as I only need a few for the 8 gauge. Eventually I will tackle doing the 10 gauges but they don't get brought out nearly as much as my 8 gauge since it's mostly what I carry when hunting. Oh I almost forgot what kind or color of material you want to use, from my eyes alot of the original overshot cards look like some sort of manilla color though I have seen some old Winchesters with a very bright green card. So I suppose it's up to personal preference.

[charlie cleveland]

keep working on this roject I enjoy your post s......charlie

[Milton C Starr]

Charlie I emailed Fiocchi about ordering some of their 8 ga hulls since they sell them as a reloading component in Europe at least. They told me to contact a local dealer/distributor about placing orders, so ill probably look into that if I run low on hulls.

[Milton C Starr]

Got my roll of Durafelt in a few minutes ago and punched out some wads.
these wont confetti out the muzzle like fiber wads do and should provide a better gas seal. Going with 1/4" wads gives a more consistent wad stack height, I have read fiber wads mostly with the wax ones can push through the center of the pattern. While I have never had this happen, I think going with 1/4" wads should help them separate from the shot column easier.

This is sold as F-1 hard felt but my wad punch cuts through it with a breeze, I am happy with the results so far.

[charlie cleveland]

that's a fine looking load....charlie

[Milton C Starr]

Thanks Charlie, I personally think the felt looks much nicer in the clear hulls but will also be a better quality wad. Though this particular felt is not cheap so I could see using the fiber wads for load development or for the range and save the felt for hunting loads.

I may end up developing my own 8 ga loading manual haha it'll be all bluedot loads though.

[charlie cleveland]

I also like the bluedot loads...charlie

[Arthur Shaffer]

Milt

I have thought about this before and one solution would be to use a thick and a thin overshot, so to speak. Design whatever you want and print it out on card stock thin enough to run through a color Laser printer and a business card or proper size label template. Then design whatever you want, even graphics, and print a sheet of 5o or so, at a time. When ready to use them simply punch themout and place over the thick overshot wad. If you can find blank peel and stick labels, uou could apply them after loading; just use a 12 ga punch for the stickers. That way you could use logos, graphics or whatever.

[Mike Koneski]

Milt, I ordered 3 of the punches as they are cheap enough and figured I'd get more than one because "stuff" happens. Took maybe 3-4 weeks for them to arrive from the UK which is better than the estimated delivery of early March. All I need is material to punch and I'll be set to do roll crimping with punched wads or fold crimping with plastic wads. Thanks for all the info you provided.

[Milton C Starr]

I am using this specific felt for my loads as it came highly recommended from some waterfowl hunters.
http://www.durofelt.com/image_75.html

Though I would probably order some thinner rolls as well depending on what load you decide to roll so you can try different combos to get your perfect wad column height. For me using the Winchester hulls and Bluedot three 1/4" wads and a 1/8" nitro card gives me the exact height for roll crimping 2 1/4oz loads.

With felt or fiber wads and roll crimping you can make all sorts of adjustments to how you load. I was just thinking how I could probably make a cold weather specific load but It doesnt really get all that cold down here.

I came up with a idea for a die to remake the skirted gas seals Winchester used in their 8 ga shells but I dont really see a need for them.

[charlie cleveland]

those plastic gas seals that come in the Winchester industrial 8 ga loads really work well in black powder and triple 777 loads...I only use one over the powder then put my bb s or lead over it and a paper over shot card....at 45 steps a turkey will dream no more.....these 3 ounce loads are working out good...them shells your loading milt look plumb factory.....charlie

[Kevin McCormack]

I haven't reloaded in years and never 8 ga. anyway, but I am wondering if none of the standard diameter leather punches available through Tandy, Weaver, etc. would not be very close to ideal for punching out both wads and overshot/overpowder card wads?? The better grade tools (e.g. Osbourne) are a little pricey but are very heavy duty, razor sharp, and last forever with proper care and sharpening. Closely matching the casing diameter would be the key. Plus no shipping from the UK, Canada or China.