12GA Dummy Rounds

[mcracco]

I need dummy rounds to start practicing reloads on my new 870 and I am surprised there are none. Fiocchi is the only one that I could find who offers real world weight and construction shells but no one has any stock. I reload handgun and rifle but not shotshell so that's not an option. Out of desperation I ordered some AT Action Pro dummy rounds but I know they are empty and won't feel like real rounds.

Just got them in and I was very pleasantly surprised to find they are hollow and the ID looks real familiar. Sure enough, a .44 cal 250gr lead bullet is a snug fit in the hole. Stuffed two of them in the hole which equals 1.14 oz. Sealed the end with some epoxy and the finished part is perfect for my needs.

I do have a guy at work who knows someone who reloads shotshells and was going to make some up for me but I think I can cancel that request.

[DaveC]

Good info, and an interesting project. As I'm sure you well know, but perhaps casual readers might overlook, all real ammo has to be stashed away and reloading sessions have to be meaningful, focused, and, when over, they are OVER. Shotgun goes back where it goes, reloaded with your typical ammunition, or unloaded completely if that is how you store it, and the training mode is switched OFF.

I have heard of a single negligent discharge story in Washington State with a Mossberg 500 blowing a hole in the floor... I am sure there are others.

Personally, I use the commonly available 12-ga. snap caps because they wear for a very long time and repeated use. They look pretty beat up these days, but they still work OK. I like the idea of making a more proximate size and weight. I guess I'm inclined to ask you how the brass case heads will hold up to repeated practice loadings? Interesting DIY, thanks for posting it.

[MStarmer]

I have the same practice rounds... I may have to try the same thing, I don't have .44 cal but I do have 230gr .45 bullets laying around. Good idea for sure.

As far as the brass, I've had mine for quite some time and they are a little chewed up, I was thinking of hitting them with some scotchbrite or similar to smooth them out a bit. I can't see any of them lasting all that long with the extractor doing a number on them.

[Vitaly]

Brownells offers dummy rounds too: http://tinyurl.com/b874hee

But if you reload ammo or have friends which reload ammo, you can do them yourself. Just don't remove fired primer and don't add gunpowder. Or you can remove primer and insert piece of rubber.

[Bastard File]

The Remington inert shot shells are the best I have ever used. As Vitaly said they can be purchased from Brownells in a box of 25. I have several boxes of them as I frequently work on dry fire and loading drills.

[mcracco]

Brownells lists dummy rounds but they have no stock same as Midway, Cheaper, etc.

[Synchronizor]

I have the same practice rounds... I may have to try the same thing, I don't have .44 cal but I do have 230gr .45 bullets laying around.

If the .429" bullets are snug, you might have issues trying to stuff a .452" slug in there. If they'll fit though, I'd be interested to know. I've been looking for some decent dummy rounds myself, and I find a lot of spent .45 ACP bullets where I go shooting.