[nnewuser]

After a shot spill; I forgot to open the powder drop when I re started .
I realized my mistake and separated the shells without powder for disassembly.
In the past I would pry open the crimp with a screwdriver.
This time I went to Home Depot and bought a 1 1/4 PVC cutter. The tool cut off the
top just below the crimp in seconds. The wad slipped out undamaged and I processed twenty
cases in a few minutes

 

[thor_sen]

Thanks for posting this (any!) tip to help others!

I frequent a LOT of firearms forums and on some other forums older, crustier (sometimes latently emotionally insecure) members are quick to jump on newer members for posting tips the experienced may have already seen posted in the past.

Good to see someone w 177 posts endeavoring to help others, not just “take” info!

 

[lt0026]

D-Loader Shotshell Dismantler - Precision Reloading

 

[Eadams]

After a shot spill; I forgot to open the powder drop when I re started .
I realized my mistake and separated the shells without powder for disassembly.
In the past I would pry open the crimp with a screwdriver.
This time I went to Home Depot and bought a 1 1/4 PVC cutter. The tool cut off the
top just below the crimp in seconds. The wad slipped out undamaged and I processed twenty
cases in a few minutes

I use the very same thing. Works great!

 

[oneounceload]

Treat yourself to a nice one:

Home Page

www.theunloader.com

Gary makes them by hand in MT using gunstock leftover pieces of nice woods

 

[hoashooter]

Guessing for 12 gauge?

 

[oneounceload]

The ones above work for all gauge shells 12 and under

 

[jacksonl17]

Has anyone seen a 3d printed version? Seems like you could make one for about 50 cents worth of plastic. Maybe I have a new project to add to the list...

 

[PennSkeet]

$50 for a handmade tool to cut open defective shells just to recover 30 cents worth of components seems like a huge waste of money.

How many would someone expect to cut open in a lifetime? If it's more than 50, I would definitely reconsider my reloading skills!

You can get a Rigid brand tubing cutter for $13 on Amazon.

 

[AHI]

lifetime supply.

8 Pack Utility Knife Box Cutters (9mm Wide Blade Cutter 4 Colors) Box Cutter Retractable, Compact Utility Knives, Extended Use for Office, Craft, Razor Knife, Paper Knife, Disposable Box Opener - - Amazon.com

8 Pack Utility Knife Box Cutters (9mm Wide Blade Cutter 4 Colors) Box Cutter Retractable, Compact Utility Knives, Extended Use for Office, Craft, Razor Knife, Paper Knife, Disposable Box Opener - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[oneounceload]

$50 for a handmade tool to cut open defective shells just to recover 30 cents worth of components seems like a huge waste of money.

How many would someone expect to cut open in a lifetime? If it's more than 50, I would definitely reconsider my reloading skills!

You can get a Rigid brand tubing cutter for $13 on Amazon.

Spending more than $500 for a shotgun would fit your anaology. Sometimes, folks just like to support a fellow shooter and craftsman who makes a beautiful tool that functions flawlessly

 

[Skeet_Man]

lifetime supply.

8 Pack Utility Knife Box Cutters (9mm Wide Blade Cutter 4 Colors) Box Cutter Retractable, Compact Utility Knives, Extended Use for Office, Craft, Razor Knife, Paper Knife, Disposable Box Opener - - Amazon.com

8 Pack Utility Knife Box Cutters (9mm Wide Blade Cutter 4 Colors) Box Cutter Retractable, Compact Utility Knives, Extended Use for Office, Craft, Razor Knife, Paper Knife, Disposable Box Opener - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

I have scars on both hands that say using a box cutter to open a shotgun shell is a TERRIBLE idea. Experience is a heartless teacher.

 

[AHI]

I cut the crimp only. Just extend the blade enough to do that.

 

[PennSkeet]

Spending more than $500 for a shotgun would fit your anaology. Sometimes, folks just like to support a fellow shooter and craftsman who makes a beautiful tool that functions flawlessly

Good point, although there's several important reasons why someone buys a $10,000 Krieghoff instead of a $500 Mossberg for tournament skeet shooting.

As far as I can tell, the custom shell cutter doesn't offer anything a quality pipe and tube cutter doesn't, except for a really good looking tool.

 

[oneounceload]

Good point, although there's several important reasons why someone buys a $10,000 Krieghoff instead of a $500 Mossberg for tournament skeet shooting.

As far as I can tell, the custom shell cutter doesn't offer anything a quality pipe and tube cutter doesn't, except for a really good looking tool.

It offers consistency where the hull is cut exactly in the same place every time so there is no spillage - and with my ten thumbs, that is a high priority. I have a PVC cutter I use for sprinkler piping, etc. but this works better for me, and the few extra bucks is not an issue.

 

[DagSwane]

Pvc pipe cutter is $11-20 total, works for cutting pvc too..

Or you can pry open the crimp with a small Phillips or flat head screw driver, and pliers, saves all components, and the screwdrivers/pliers can be used for other tasks too…

I’ve opened up about 500+ rounds of HW15 turkey loads in 10 and 12 gauge to recover the shot/buffer/wax beads to use in duplex and subgauge loading. The factory hulls/wads/powder/primers are all usable with load data for steel and bismuth (tested). And the hulls can be reused after the first reload.

 

[DEG]

I just use a small screwdriver to pry open the crimp enough to dump the shot and throw the rest away. Not worth my time and effort to try to recover a few pennies of other components and I'm definitely not going to spend money in an effort to save less than 50 cents per year.

Cheapest PVC cutter I could find on Home Depot's website was a little over $9. I'm saving money by throwing the rest away after recovering the shot since I won't live long enough to ever recover the cost of the tool.

 

[Eadams]

I use a pair of Kobalt Pex cutters. Works great!