What are old shotgun shells made of?

[N_S]

While taking a look at a 12gauge shell casing I noticed that the distinctive red upper part of the cartridge is made of plastic. But here's the weird thing, shotgun shells have been around forever but plastic is a somewhat more recent innovation. If that's true then what were shotgun shells made of before plastic?

[bohoki]

yup paper before that solid brass tube before that paper sack of shot over black powder

[forynot]

You can still buy new Federal Paper Shells

[ar15barrels]

You can still buy new Federal Paper Shells

But you have to eat your crumpets and drink your tea with a raised pinky finger to fully appreciate them.

[CSACANNONEER]

Many cowboy action shooters prefer paper hulls and some orginizations give extra "points" for using them.

[ar15barrels]

some orginizations give extra "points" for using them.

Those scoring officials drink their tea with a raised pinky finger.

[5150Marcelo]

But you have to eat your crumpets and drink your tea with a raised pinky finger to fully appreciate them.

...and wipe your butt with a smooth rock after you pinch one off and kick dirt over it and let hoss and the other fellas know where not to step!

[Spiggy]

they probably started with the paper cartridge the old BPs(including BP shotguns) used to fire, then the introduction of the metallic cartridge came to play most of the firearms to date were converted to use a copper or brass shell.

somewhere along the line, manufacturers found it cheaper and faster to make a paper hull pressed into a metallic cartridge lower.

The paper held the contents (buck, ball, carpet tacks, and a wadding) while the brass held the powder.

Like all modern ammo, the brass is the part that holds the gas seal.

[CSACANNONEER]

You know, really old shotgun shells are made out of brass. No paper, no platic, just brass. Magtech is selling new solid brass shell today.

[ar15barrels]

You know, really old shotgun shells are made out of brass. No paper, no platic, just brass.

Did they slightly crimp the front with an over-wad to keep them together or did the over-wad just fit real tight into the case?

[CSACANNONEER]

Did they slightly crimp the front with an over-wad to keep them together or did the over-wad just fit real tight into the case?

IIRC, I believe I've seen some with a small role crimp on them. I could be thinking of those new Russian steel .410 shell though.

[rg_1111@yahoo.com]

Yes they were rolled crimped over cardboard. Yes Im old but not that old.