Can I safely dissect a shotgun round?

[bden]

Just because I'm a curious guy and for no better reason really I'd like to cut apart a 12 gauge round that has not yet been fired to see what it looks like inside. Is there anything wrong with this from a safety standpoint? I've been shooting for a number of years now, but know little if anything about reloading or the opposite of reloading as the case may be.

[Dekker]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotgun_shell

They got a translucent shotgun shell so you can see how it looks. Spare the shell, fire it instead >_>

[gunrun45]

The only real concern is a cut hazard while you are cutting through the shell. Placing it in a wooden block with a shallow cut v-shape helps save some fingers. DO NOT USE A DREMEL TOOL or other electric device. Do not attempt to cut through the case head (brass part) if it is still primed.

Other than that, I do it all the time to demonstrate it to my students. Shells are cheap, cut away.

[bballwizard05]

oh oh i know, dont do it next to a fire! SAFETY FIRST!

[johnthomas]

I cut one open at the crimped end.

[Walker]

I had just had a case of shells dropped off and I had to had to hit the restroom for a moment and my 5 month old puppy got one and tore that sucker apart. He got everything but the powder. Was the last time I left him alone with anything for 5 minutes.

[mjsweims]

Use a razor blade or razor knife to cut around the shell just below the crimp. The shot will fall out, then you can pull out the wad and dump the powder. Be careful if you want to gently push out the primer.

[tsname]

I've done it to a 1 ounce slug shell once. Depends on how you want to dissect the shell, do you want to keep the hull intact? If not, I cut the shell just above the brass, kept the powder neat and the rest of the components looking good too other than the hull. Make sure to wet the primer to deactivate it (water or oil) if you're not going to reuse the stuff.

[mds2004]

I always have cut open rounds mostly to use as slugs just below the wad

[Barbarossa]

I've had to do it in the field to unjam my 870.

[eccvets]

use a sharp knife, dull knifes are very dangerous.

[HUTCH 7.62]

Cut it in half with a laser. That way you'll get a cleaner cut

[ENVYGREEN]

no need to cut just pry the folds open

[WeekendWarrior]

WWRTW

[IrishPirate]

i used to pull them apart with pliers, take the powder out and make paper towel bombs when i was a kid. It's easy and safer than most think. not to say that sh*t can't go wrong.....but we did the same with 22, 30-30, and 30-06's as kids too. Sad that we wasted all that ammo now that i look back, but everyone still has fingers so i guess it was all in the name of fun....expensive fun, but still fun.