Is anyone reloading their own popper loads for training?

I'm not reloading but am considering purchasing some shotgun primer inserts that you just replace the primer after each use. I think LCS sells them but I am sure some other dog supply places have them also.
Rich

Rich

Those are ok, I like to use poppers in a shotgun especially on training to mark of the barrel and when flushing planted wing clipped pigeons for steadying. The noise of cycling the action, movement by the handler, empty cases falling around all served as good distractions as well. I always thought it helped aclimate a dog to an actual hunting situation. You know the whole hunt as you train, train as you hunt type matra....

Back before people worried about getting sued all the time, we always reloaded our own poppers and used the factory popper loads during official hunt tests.

I still use the load we used in the late 70's, I was wondering if anyone was using perhaps a different load.

Thanks

Jeff

Fiochii makes a 12 gauge primer hull. Not as loud as a popper so you don't have to worry about hearing damage. I believe you can by 1000 rounds for $100. Day's end have the same which are reloadable. The problem I found with them is that they would no cycle in my 870.

I've never reloaded poppers, but heard that it esentially the same as a regular light field load, but instead of shot you use rice hulls, styrafoam beads, sawdust or other filler. Even remember reading one that used millet. You should be able to find a good recipe using google search.

Here are a couple that I found:
16 grains of reddot , and use a western orange target wads , with federal .209 primers - I can reload poppers for $1.25 a box give or take .

I use my favorite dove load and substitute millet (bird seed) for lead. I also use environmentally-friendly photodegradable wads.


And many just punch out the used primer and switch with a new one and use as is or cutting the hull down at the crimp.

Remember that popper loads (either just primer or primer and powder) don't work well in semi-autos.

T. Mac

Tom

Similar to what we used only my recipe uses Bullseye (a few more grains) and recently I substituted chicken scratch (misc grains) inside of the wad. They work better and gives the birds something to eat in the fields (as does Millet). Millet is a scare comondity in my neck of the woods. Only downside I have seen is that you must clean your training gun every day after use. It seems the residue does attract moisture. Even in our very dry climate it cause the chambers to get some rust if left for only a couple of days. We used to use old polishing media, but which gives your bore a nice shine, but gets pricey if shoot a bunch.

Should you decide to reload your own, needless to say I am not recomending a load, since I have no control over your techniques so you do so at your own risk, blah, friggin, blah....be careful


Jeff

Since this post is on reloading popper loads, seems to fitting that I have a bunch of reloading equipment available. Don't really know what I have as it was my brother's who died last year, and I would like it all to go to a good home.

I'm in Northern California.

Tom Mac....would you be interested in it or know of anyone around these parts who might be as I don't want to try to ship it and have no idea what it's worth.

Kathy Miller

Kathy

If you would like snap a couple of photos and either post on this or send me a PM. Perhaps we can help you find a home for the equipment.

Jeff

Thanks, I will do this when I can. The stuff is all stored on one of the top shelves in my garage and not easy for me to access. I only just recently discovered there is gunpowder up there too

Kathy

Kathy

Gunpowder is usually not a problem. Send me a PM with the numbers on the gunpowder can and I will tell you have to safely and environmentaly correct to dispose of it.

Jeff

I will, once I get up in that area.

Thanks, again.

Kathy