From: Brian Schmidt <Schmidt.Brian at NMNH.SI.EDU>
Subject: [AVECOL-L] Bird Shot in small sizes

Thought this site might be useful for those looking for reloading supplies,
especially for lead shot: http://www.ballisticproducts.com/

They sell lead shot in sizes: 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7 1/2, 8, 8 1/2, 9, 10, 11,
12

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From: "Steven W. Cardiff" <scardif LSU.EDU>
Subject: Re: [AVECOL-L] reload shotgun shells
To: AVECOL-L LISTSERV.LSU.EDU

Carla et al.-
A "quick-and-dirty" alternative (assuming that you have a supply of
#12 shot....) is to buy quantities of relatively cheap factory load .410
shells, pry open the ends, dump out the contents, refill with #12 shot,
manually re-crimp as much as possible, and then seal by adding a dab from a
hot glue gun. Another alternative for opening and re-sealing is to slice
off the end of the shell with a razor blade, fill with #12, snap in a .410
wad, and lightly seal. Of course, this is somewhat wasteful as you are not
recycling the hulls, and you end up with quantities of larger lead shot.
It's probably more expensive in the long run, but you don't have to worry
about reloading equipment, primers, powder, wads, etc.
You might need to experiment regarding whether to completely fill
the shell with #12- there's more shot and weight per volume so you may want
to underfill in order to not overwhelm the powder charge.
This is also a good alternative if you are working overseas and
don't want to deal with transport of live ammo. If you know that .410
shells will be available, then you can just take some #12 shot and mass
produce reloads while waiting for permits......

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Like I said, it's a quick and dirty method. If you want precision
loads, then you need precision specs and reloading equipment as Sam
indicated. As far as safety issues, we've shot thousands of these rounds
without mishap, and I know of several other institutions that have also been
using this technique without mishap. That's not to say that safety isn't an
issue, especially if you "cement" the end of a shell. So, extreme caution
is warranted. Quality IS a problem, with considerable variation in the
effectiveness of the shot patterns. So, if making each and every shot is
critical to your needs, then don't try this. Otherwise, I've been able to
live with the occasional misses.
When it comes down to it, I use very few .410's these days. I
started using a Savage .22 magnum smoothbore/20 ga over-under, and the .22
magnum #12's are "almost" as as effective as a .410. On the rare occasions
when I need to use the .410 insert, then a factory load #9 usually suffices.