overshot cards 12 gauge factory

Place an overshot card on top of the shot charge just before crimping to improve overall crimp quality and seal in small shot and/or buffer. Excellent for use with BPI Roll Crimpers.

Our testing lab has proven that poor crimps can alter the performance of an otherwise good load. Overshot cards always produce better, more consistent crimps and this consistency is demonstrated in the standard deviation of loads in our lab. Our ballistic lab recommends overshot cards for better crimps in all loads.

Clear Overshot Disks(either plain or printed with shot size) are also offered for great roll crimping options. See pictures in Additional Images or click on this link.

Shotshell size selection: Use the same size gauge as your hull. Smaller diameter cards also work if your particular size is out of stock. For example, a 20ga overshot card works in a 16-gauge shotshell and so on.

Our overshot cards range in stock thickness from .030" to .040", depending upon the gauge you select. Overshot cards are essential for roll crimps and they add the finishing touch under fold crimps to improve crimp quality and seal in small pellets and/or buffering materials. Our ballistic lab recommends overshot cards in every load.

Place an overshot card on top of the shot charge just before crimping to improve overall crimp quality and seal in small shot and/or buffer. Excellent for use with BPI Roll Crimpers.

Our testing lab has proven that poor crimps can alter the performance of an otherwise good load. Overshot cards always produce better, more consistent crimps and this consistency is demonstrated in the standard deviation of loads in our lab. Our ballistic lab recommends overshot cards for better crimps in all loads.

Clear Overshot Disks(either plain or printed with shot size) are also offered for great roll crimping options. See pictures in Additional Images or click on this link.

Shotshell size selection:Use the same size gauge as your hull. Smaller diameter cards also work if your particular size is out of stock. For example, a 20ga overshot card works in a 16-gauge shotshell and so on.

Place an overshot card on top of the shot charge just before crimping to improve overall crimp quality and seal in small shot and/or buffer. Excellent for use with BPI Roll Crimpers.

Our testing lab has proven that poor crimps can alter the performance of an otherwise good load. Overshot cards always produce better, more consistent crimps and this consistency is demonstrated in the standard deviation of loads in our lab. Our ballistic lab recommends overshot cards for better crimps in all loads.

Shotshell size selection:Use the same size gauge as your hull. Smaller diameter cards also work if your particular size is out of stock. For example, a 20ga overshot card works in a 16-gauge shotshell and so on.

If you’ve been reading my articles for any length of time, you probably know I load a lot of shotgun shells using Lyman and other published data. Over the years I’ve also developed a large number of custom loads, many of which require filler wads or overshot cards to get the correct shot column and a good crimp. Although these aren’t the most expensive components on the market, they still add up, particularly if you need several per shell. To make matters worse, they’re often difficult to find, particularly if your local gun store stops stocking the brands you’re accustomed to.

With this in mind I’ve designed and manufactured my own custom punch for producing 12 gauge filler wads and overshot cards. The model shown in the video above represents my prototype, which I’ve been using and testing for quite a while now.

With the material in place it’s a simple matter of operating the press handle, and punching filler wads. Each one comes out the exact internal diameter of a standard 12 gauge shotshell wad. If I need to produce a lot and don’t want to make a mess, I just place a margarine container with a hole in the bottom onto the nozzle at the top of the die, and punch as many as I need.

With a good supply of these on hand, it’s no trouble at all to customize my shot columns by placing them above or below my shot or slugs. Likewise, if I’ve got a difficult load to crimp well, like low-volume birdshot or roundball slugs, adding one to the top as an overshot card makes things a snap.

I’m really happy with how my punch turned out, and already working on designs for a 20G model. If things go well I may try some others like a 410, 16 or 28 gauge.

Why reload? A couple reasons:Customization - I can raise/lower velocity, increase/decrease payload, etc. to achieve best killing effectiveness. This seems more important because the 20 gauge isn"t well supported by ammunition manufacturers.

But reloading only really makes sense for hunting loads. Trap & Skeet loads can be purchased for under $6/25, whereas reloading them is $5/25. If I were a gamer, I might reload put-put loads for breaking clays, but then I probably wouldn"t use a 20 gauge.

The absolute highest performance powder in the 20 gauge is Hodgdon LilGun. If you want top velocity at lowest pressure, LilGun is it. The best all-around powder for high-performance 7/8oz - 1oz lead shot loads, where absolute highest velocity is not important, is IMO Hodgdon LongShot.

Ducks seem to die best for me with #3 shot. #3 gives adequate 40 yd penetration, and adequate pattern density. #4 steel is good to 30 yards in my opinion - it gives great pattern density but runs out of steam too fast to kill cleanly at 40 yards. My opinion of course as there are many folks who like #4 shot. I think #3 steel shot is the best size for ducks with a 20 gauge.

Ballistic Products CSD20 is the best wad for 1 oz and greater high-performance lead shot loads. The name "CSD20" is a BPI creation, as the manufacturer, (B&P) calls it something else. Kent uses this wad in their 20 gauge "Fasteel" product. Use 28 gauge fiber wads in the bottom of the shot cup for lighter shot charges. Or something more flexible in the bottom of the shot cup to make good fold crimps easier, as this wad lacks a crush section.

RSI"s 3" SAM1 is the highest capacity 20 gauge wad for steel shot currently available. It is also the most expensive ($23.50 / 250). Do not order the pre-split as the quality is horrible. This wad will protect your barrel/choke with all shot sizes.

Ballistic Products Inc"s "Advantages" manual is the very best source for high-performance data, bar none. But understand that BPI produces that load data partially as a sales tool for their components. So if you are looking for high-performance lead shot data for the Federal 20S1 wad, go to Hodgdon"s load data site. If you are happy with wet fart data (1200fps) using Remington, Winchester and Federal components, buy the Lyman manual.

I have RSI"s manual ( a little booklet), but it has nothing for the 20 gauge. Well maybe more than nothing, but their load data like throwing the shot with your hand.

The following is made by Bob Patterson in Wyoming. http://www.bp44.com/catalog/ - $12.40 + $5.50 shipping. Such a nice piece of wood that I almost don"t want to use it, but it is a darn handy tool for small batch loading.