.72 AEA 12 ga Harpoon shot shells

[Quad82]

I have been making my own 3D .50 cal shot shell capsules for my Wingshots for over a year. But now I have a .72 cal AEA Harpoon and need shot capsules for it. Instead of making my own 3D or paying $1+ for them on line, I came up with a solution that anyone can make and shoot for less than 3 cents plus lead each. I buy a bag of 500 12ga shotgun wads for $12. Cut the cup off one end and cut the wad off the other. Slip the cup half way in the shell holder and fill with whatever weight shot you want. Put the wad on top and pack it down in the holder. Will not fall out. That’s it! I have shot a couple hundred of these. You can pack them differently using different brand wads to have them open at closer or longer ranges unlike the 3D ones that shatter in the barrel.

 

[Richely]

Don’t have experience with airgun shotguns , but do have a history with power burners. PB shot shells early on used a heavy paper disk held with a roll crimp to contain the shot. The down side was that the disk blocked shot in the center of the shot spread opening a hole in the center of the spread pattern. A later and current ‘star’ crimp that eliminated the disk allowed for more uniform spread patterns. Placing the wad be in front of the load would have similar effect as the old paper disk I would assume.

Also the wad is what gives the gas/air seal. Having it in front doesn’t assure optimum discharge of the shot in the cup.

 

[Richely]

In exploring options for shot delivery set up a large sheet of paper (36” square or so) at an appropriate distance and shoot patterns. Look to achieve a uniform distribution of pellets.

Holes in the pattern are missed targets or missed or wounded game.

edited. Having issues with spoil check.

 

[Quad82]

That is true. Not much different then loading my smoothbore muzzleloaders with shot and wad. At 20 yards I keep about 80% of a 1oz load of #8 TSS in a 8x11 printer paper.

 

[Devink]

I have been making my own 3D .50 cal shot shell capsules for my Wingshots for over a year. But now I have a .72 cal AEA Harpoon and need shot capsules for it. Instead of making my own 3D or paying $1+ for them on line, I came up with a solution that anyone can make and shoot for less than 3 cents plus lead each. I buy a bag of 500 12ga shotgun wads for $12. Cut the cup off one end and cut the wad off the other. Slip the cup half way in the shell holder and fill with whatever weight shot you want. Put the wad on top and pack it down in the holder. Will not fall out. That’s it! I have shot a couple hundred of these. You can pack them differently using different brand wads to have them open at closer or longer ranges unlike the 3D ones that shatter in the barrel.

That's awesome! I'd love to see a picture or video of the ammo or shells you use. I've played with wads some with it. Still hard to get anything affordable that works good.