DIY shot cups?

[epichistorymaker]

Hi, I have a .54 smooth, most of the game birds where I live are supposed to be taken with non-lead shot.

Any recommendations on making shot cups?

 

[R Ellis]

28 gauge shot cup may fit it is .550 If not try mylar wrap

 

[Rob M.]

I make mine out of any ole paper laying around ...

 

[Indy Durtdigger]

I do the same thing as Rob M. and make mandrels out of dowel rod to help roll them. As for paper it depends on what I'm using it in so long as it will open up when shot.

 

[Brokennock]

For many kinds of "non-toxic" shot, standard paper is not enough protection from what I understand.
I'm told mylar works, but, just like mylar balloons that escape captivity, it will be hanging around the area you hunt littering up the place for millenia.
Might need to do some research here on which non-lead shot products are soft enough to use a standard paper for a cup, or no cup at all.

 

[epichistorymaker]

For many kinds of "non-toxic" shot, standard paper is not enough protection from what I understand.
I'm told mylar works, but, just like mylar balloons that escape captivity, it will be hanging around the area you hunt littering up the place for millenia.
Might need to do some research here on which non-lead shot products are soft enough to use a standard paper for a cup, or no cup at all.

What sort of damage can occur?

Are we talking about a decrease in accuracy? Or something that could cause a catastrophic failure?

 

[ppg1949]

I make mine out of 3X5 cards or coin wrappers.

 

[WALT53]

I make mine out of 3X5 cards or coin wrappers.

I used 3 wraps of news paper and I’ve tried cornmeal and even toilet paper and know just use 2 or 3 over shot cards on the powder and 1 on the shot .Make my self easy pezzy and only one wad to carry try it 50/55 grains of powder and 60/70 grains equal shot should work to 20 yards for a clynder bore .

 

[x_count]

Hi, I have a .54 smooth, most of the game birds where I live are supposed to be taken with non-lead shot.

Any recommendations on making shot cups?

Bismuth shot is the answer to your problem. No shot cup or wrap needed. It is more expensive than lead, but less than tungsten. As much as we shoot our smoothbores a bag can last a good while. Available at RotoMetals or Ballistic Products.
I took down my tundra swan last year using BB bismuth in my 10 gauge SxS.

 

[Brokennock]

What sort of damage can occur?

Are we talking about a decrease in accuracy? Or something that could cause a catastrophic failure?

Some of the lead substitute shot out there is harder than the steel that muzzleloader barrels are made from. Unless the bore is chrome lined they can scratch up the bore and if the gun has constriction choke the choke cam be chewed up as well. Even if chrome lined I'd play it safe and use bismuth and at least a paper cup.

 

[Historian]

Shoot bismuth shot. Bismuth Tin shot is totally non toxic and easy on muzzleloading gun barrels. As the gentleman above stated, try Roto Metals, Ballistic Products or Zip Metals.