Spent Shot Gun cartridges - How to seperate the parts?

[Ray Singh]

Evening freinds.

Living in Marlborough, I always find spent shot gun shells in the fields whilst out with the kids.
I want to make a set of shotgun cartridge cuff links to try and blend in with the locals.

I have collected loads of shells - in order to find a matching pair. Now ive got two matching pairs.

I also have a set off old cuff links that I don't like any more. They are the ideal size to fit over the metal part of the shell. The problem i have is how do i seperate the metal part of the shell from the plastic/paper outer cartridge? I'm going mad!! I don't want to drill out the middle firing pin.

I know that shot gun shells are a bit scene at the moment - so has anyone seperated these reently?

I want to make this sort of thing:

[smurf]

Paper cases

Cut it down to the brass and get a dremmel with a sanding drum and go gently

Plastic case

Same thing

Then epoxy in the cufflinks and polish till your fingers bleed

[Dorset_Clive]

There's a very slim chance of a little unburnt powder being left, so I'd be tempted to rinse out the cartridge first just in case.

[Ray Singh]

Good point - i didnt think of that....Could end up nasty...

[LowStandards]

You really want some brass .410's for cufflinks, not something you'd usually find in a field.

Almost all cartridges are coated steel not brass due to cost, but because of there size a lot of .410 are still brass

I can look in the bins next time I go shooting if you like?

[Ray Singh]

Low standards - Yes please!

I am keen to have a set like the ones in my picture above. If you say i need .410 - then i need .410. Please have a look to see if you can find any that I could use.

Thanks

[LowStandards]

They're 12 Gauge in the pic, but I think they'd be mighty large as cufflinks

Here's some random .410 ones I've found, you can see they're actually brass opposed to coated steel




I'll have a rummage round and see what I can find, 20 gauge could be a good size, i'll grab a few sets of sizes

[Ray Singh]

My local freindly garage - Watters in Fyfield helped me seperate the parts by drilling the plastic out.



More updates as and when i get them.

[deathgaytothemax]

I made these a while ago. Was going to make some cufflinks but never got round to it

[Midas]

I've got some .44 Special or .357 Mag cases knocking about which would probably be a better bet.

[Ray Singh]

thanks Midas. Any pictures of what youve got?

[LowStandards]

Oct 4, 2014 10:00:57 GMT Ray Singh said:

My local freindly garage - Watters in Fyfield helped me seperate the parts by drilling the plastic out.



More updates as and when i get them.

I really like the bottom ones, they should make a nice set of cufflinks.

I imagine you have to drill down the primer or is the 'brass' tall enough?

[Ray Singh]

The Eley ones had a long primer, which i had to drill out.
The Gordon system 12 is a harder beast. The maroon part is plastic and the plastic is very deep into the shell. These are difficult to turn into cuff links. I can send them out to you if you fancy a go?

[Midas]

Oct 5, 2014 19:36:47 GMT Ray Singh said:

thanks Midas. Any pictures of what youve got?

Just dug them out, they are .44 Special which have been through a Marlin lever action rifle. As has already been mentioned Shotgun cartridge bases are actually thin steel with a colour wash rather than solid brass. Using something from a firearm will give you a much more durable product made from solid brass.

I've got some smaller stuff from my rifle which is .243 Winchester, essentially a necked down .308/7.62.

[Midas]

Oct 6, 2014 19:49:44 GMT Ray Singh said:

The Eley ones had a long primer, which i had to drill out.
The Gordon system 12 is a harder beast. The maroon part is plastic and the plastic is very deep into the shell. These are difficult to turn into cuff links. I can send them out to you if you fancy a go?

The primers punch out easily from the inside, they are just a friction fit. I used to make hand tools for reloading and a light tap with a small mallet will pop a primer out without any stress. All the primers are the same length and are common to all shotgun calibres unless you get hold of the all brass cases from Magtech which use small pistol primers.