Can I reload old fashioned paper shells?

[Richard Flanders]

So Steve.... about reloading old paper shells. You just need the fiber base wads and card fillers. I think BPI might still sell some of that stuff. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to use a Lee Loader on the old paper shells. You'll need to either find old reloading manuals or cut one open to see what's inside. I used to reload a lot paper shells in the early 60's using a vintage reloading setup. It wasn't that many years ago I tossed all the old base wads and filler cards I had. Wish I still had them because I have a LOT of very nice old once fired paper hulls I'd like to reload. If you want an MEC loader you might haunt gun shows. You can often find the older ones that have all steel fixtures for $20, and all the parts to get them going again are still available, or maybe you buy 2-3 old ones and mix/match parts to get one going. My smoothest MEC of the 5 on my bench... BY FAR is the oldest all steel one. It operates like butter and never ever malfunctions. None of the plastic ones come close to it in smoothness.

[Dan Foley]

Richard,
I reload almost exclusively paper hulls. However, they can be a bit hard to find. You mention you have "a lot" laying around. What gauges do you currently have paper hulls for? And would you be willing to part with some of them?

Thanks,
Dan

[Jeff Mayhew]

I went straight to RMC brass, figuring 10 gauge paper hulls are simply unobtainable (loading BP). If that's not the case, would sure like to get my hands on some.

[Dan Foley]

I am specifically looking for any paper hulls in 16 gauge, 28 gauge and 3" .410 bore. If anybody here can help I would be very grateful.

[C.O.B.]

Dan I have hulls in everything from 12 to 410 but they arn't paper. I believe the paper hulls that we were using came from graff & Sons at about .15 cents ea.