US2655831A

US2655831A - Art of shotgun shell loading

Info

Publication number: US2655831A
Application number: US223749A
Authority: US
Inventors: John E Veum
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1951-04-30
Filing date: 1951-04-30
Publication date: 1953-10-20
Anticipated expiration: 1970-10-20

Description

Oct. 20, 1953 J. E. VEUM 2,655,331

ART OF SHOTGUN- SHELL LOADING Filed April 50, 1951 2 Sheets-Shet 1 INVENTORQ 5- yea/m, Y

mmdeqmow .HIVIH .lll ll' Oct. 20, 1953 .J. E. VEUM 2,655,831

ART OF SHOTGUN SHELL LOADING Filed April 30', 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 MIM IIH' I IN VEN TOR.

BY W m 777wuzemmza Patented Oct. 2 0, 1953 -8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements .in the art of shotgun shell loading.

Shotgun shells are relatively expensive, .and while theneed foran inexpensive shotgun shell has been recognized, thus far no satisfactory inexpensive shell has been developed. Reloading of fired rifle cartridge cases has been carried out formany years and results in a substantial saving, but due to the problems whichare peculiar to the loading of shotgun shells, no satisfactory method or apparatus has heretofore been developed for reloading spent shotgun shell cases.

While shotgun shells of a given gauge are uniform as to diameter and overall length, the volumetric capacities of shell cases of different makes vary,-dueto the fact that base wads of various thicknesses are used in different shells. Each shotgun shell contains a powder charge at the base of the shell and a shot charge at the opposite end of the shell. The space between these two charges must be taken up by a filler which heretofore has been in the form of felt or paper Wadding. It is apparent that in reloading cases of various volumetric capacities itis difiicult to ascertain and insertthe exact amount of wadding necessary'for a given shell case. Since every shell may require a different amount of filler, the reloading of shotgun shells, including the insertion of satisfactory filler wads, is a time-consuming and tedious job.

In addition to the inconvenience of "loading shotgun shells with filler wads therein, the wads themselves are relatively expensive and do not serve any substantial useful purpose except as a :filler and as a gas seal.

With the above in mind, a general object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive shotgun shell wherein the filler materialtherein consists of a non-abrasive free flowing granular material, the use of which facilitates the loading of the shell, said material also having slight lubricating properties and have-a non-erosive effect on gun barrels as well as serving as an eflicient gas :seal.

Another general object of the invention is to provide an improved method of loading shotgun shell cases which includes the step of pouring a granular filler material into -a partially loaded shell case over the over-powder wad therein and up to a predetermined height, thus leaving a predetermined space for the shot charge-within the end of the shell, regardless of the volumetric capacity of the shell case.

A further'general object of the invention is toprovide an'improved apparatus for automatically measuring out the amount of granular filler materialrequired bya particular partially loaded shell, regardless of the volumetric capacty of the shell case and regardless of the type of powder charge used in the case.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the class described which is readily adjustable to compensate for the use of any Weight of shot charge, no adjustment being required for a variation in the powder charge or type of powder being used.

Afurther object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the class described having embodied therein a fillermeasuring container having a vertically movable bottom wall, the vertical position of which is determined by the apparatus in accordance with the position of the over-powder wad of a shell being loaded, such that the effective volume of the measuring container-is inversely proportional to the height of the over-powder wad of the shell.

A further object ofthe invention isto provide an improved apparatus of the class described having embodied therein apair of spaced coaxial superimposed funnels fordirecting the granular filler-material into the measuring eontainenthe arrangement of the funnels being such that positive flow of the granular materialtherethrough is assured.

A-further object of the invention is to provide an improved apparatus of the class described which is simple and inexpensive in construction, which is easy to operate, and which can be used either for the original loading of shellcases, or in the reloading of salvaged fired shell cases.

With the above and'other objects in view,,the invention consists of the improved shotgun shell, and the improved-method of .an apparatus for loading-shotgun shells, and all of the parts, steps and combinations incident thereto, as set forth in the claims and all equivalents thereof.

In the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this specification wherein are shown two forms of the improved shell and the preferred form of filler measuring apparatus, and wherein like characters of reference indicatethe same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentaryside elevational View of the improved apparatus for measuring shotgun vshellfiller material, showing a partially loaded shell and the relationship therewithof'the parts of-the apparatus during a measuring operation, parts beingbrokenaway and shown in section;

Fig. 2 isa sectionalplanview-taken-approxi- :mately along-thezline 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a high base shotgun shell embodying the principles of the invention,

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a low base shotgun shell embodying the principles of the invention; and

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring first more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 of the drawings, the improved filler measuring apparatus comprises a base I to which is fixed a pair of spaced parallel upstanding members I I and I2 which may take the form of round shafts. Fixed to and supported on the upper ends of the members II and I2 is a horizontally extending bar I3. The bar I3 is preferably formed with a rectangular groove I4 extending longitudinally of its upper surface. The bar I3 is also formed with an aperture I5 communicating with the groove I4 as shown in Fig. 1, said aperture preferably having frusto-conical sidewalls which extend downwardly and outwardly from its upper end. As shown in Fig. 2, the upper end of the aperture I5 has a diameter smaller than the width of the groove I4.

Slidably positioned in the groove I4 is a shut- Off plate or gate valve I6 preferably having upturned apertured end flanges I1 and I8. The plate I6 preferably has a thickness substantially equal to the depth of the groove I4 and is preferably formed with an aperture 3 I positioned on the longitudinal axis of said plate. A retainer plate I9 is connected to the upper surface of the bar I3 over the plate I6, as by screws 20. The plate I9 is formed with an aperture 2i which is coaxial with the aperture I5 in the bar I3, and the spout of afunnel 22 is fixedly positioned in the aperture 2I, as shown in Fig. l. A second funnel 23 is positioned coaxially above the funnel 22, with the lower end of the spout of the upper funnel positioned in the lower portion of the bowl of the lower funnel. The funnel 23 is supported in this position by a pair of brackets 24 which are connected to the inner surface of the bowl of the funnel 22 and to the outer surface of the spout of the funnel 23, as shown.

The bar I3 is provided at one end with an upstanding aperturedlug 25, and a coiled tension spring 26 is connected at one end to the lug 25 and at its other end to the apertured flange ll of the plate I6. The opposite end of the bar I3 is cut away as at 21 (see Fig. 2) to form a bifurcation for receiving a pulley 28. The pulley is mounted for rotation on a shaft 29 carried by the bar I3. A rope or cable 30 is connected at one end to the apertured flange I8 of the plate I6 and extends over the pulley 28, as shown. The opposite end of the cable 30 is provided with a handle 32. The tension spring 26 normally holds the plate I6 in the position shown in solid lines, in which position the aperture 3I therein is offset from the apertures 2I and I5.

An elongated horizontally extending supporting bar 33 is apertured adjacent one end to slidably receive the vertical shaft II, as at 34. The opposite end of the bar 33 is bifurcated, as at 35, to receive the upstanding shaft I2, as shown. The bar 33 is formed with a pair of

bearing bosses

36 and 31 on the opposite sides thereof and coaxial with the aperture 34, said bearing bosses being operable to maintain the bar 33 in a horizontal plane regardless of its vertical position on the shaft I I. Positioned between the bearing boss 36 and the base I6 is a coiled compression spring 38 which is concentric with the shaft II. A collar 39 is positioned on the shaft II above the bearing boss 3'! and is provided with a set screw 40 for fixing said collar in a selected position on the shaft. The compression spring 38 urges the supporting bar 33 vertically upwardly, and its vertical movement is limited by the abutment of the bearing sleeve 37 with the collar 39. The supporting bar 33 and the base I9 are formed with aligned apertures 4| and 42 respectively, and a rope or cable 43 preferably extends through said apertures, having one end connected to the supporting bar 33 and having its other end connected to astirrup 44. It is obvious that, if desired, a handle similar to the handle 32 may be substituted for the stirrup 44.

A measuring container 45 which is preferably tubular and cylindrical in shape, has one end open and has the other end closed by a wall 46. The container 45 is provided with an axially movable piston-like member 41 forming a bottom Wall therefor, there being a rod or stem 48 fixed to and projecting coaxially from the member 41 and through a suitable aperture 49 in the end wall 46. The outer end of the stem 48 is formed with a threaded axial bore to receive an adjustment screw 53 which is provided with a lock nut 5 I. The end wall 46 may be formed with a vent opening 52, as shown in the drawing. The outer diameter of the container 45 is preferably substantially equal to the diameter of the upper end of the aperture I5.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the numeral 53 indicates a shotgun shell embodying the concepts of the invention and having a paper shell or case 54, a brass head 55, and a primer 56. The shell 53 has what is known as a high base wad 51 of paper or othersuitable material. A powder charge 58 of predetermined weight is positioned in the bottom of the shell 53 as shown, and immediately above the charge 58 is an over-powder or grease proof wad 59. Spaced a predetermined distance from the head end of the shell 53 is a wad 60 which may be made of felt, paper, or other suitable material. A shot charge 6| of predetermined volume is positioned above the wad 6!], and the outer end of the case is folded wardly, as at 62, to form a closure.

In conventional shotgun shells the space between the shot charge 6| and the over-powder wad 59 is filled with a plurality of filler or black edge wads. A feature of the present invention from which advantageous results are obtainable, is the use of an inexpensive granular material which not only serves as an efficient filler, but which also facilitates the loading of the shells and has a non-erosive effect upon the gun barrels. The filler 63 is a granular non-abrasive material which packs well to thereby form an efiicient gas seal but which nevertheless has free flowing qualities. This material also has slight lubricating properties, is reasonably light in weight (so as not to greatly vary the weight of the projected charge) and is inexpensive as compared with conventional filler wads. One of the materials which has these properties and which has proven very satisfactory in use is ground corn meal.

Referring to Fig. 5, the numeral 53 indicates what is known as a low base shell embodying the principles of the invention. The shell 53 has all of the elements of the high base shell 53, and the corresponding parts thereof are indicated by the same numerals primed. Comparing Figs. 4

base wads 51 and 57'. "53 and 53' contain identical shot charges 6! and and 5, it willbe noted that the base wad 51' of fore, that the volumetric capacity of the shell 53' is substantially greater than that of the shell 53, due to-the difference in height of the Since both of the shells 6|, a well as identical powder charges 58 and 58', it follows that the amount of filler material -63 required for the shell 53' is substantially greater than the amount of filler 63 needed by the shell 53. It will be noted that the wads 60 and 60 are identically positioned in both of the shells 53 and 53', but that the'over-powder wads 59 and 59' are'in different vertical positions.

In loading a shotgun shell such as the shell 64 shown in Fig. l, a powder charge 65 and an over-powder wad 66 are placed therein under a predetermined pressure in the usual manner. The pressure is usually applied by means of a plunger (not shown) having a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the case 64, and the pressure applied is usually approximately'75 pounds. Granular filler material 63", which is the same material as the filler 63 of the shell 53, is placed in the funnel 23, from which it flows into the funnel'22 and thence down onto the plate Hi.

The stem 48 of the filler container is then inserted into the open end of the partially loaded shell 64, as shown in Fig. 1, and the open upper end of the container 45 is placed in the aperture I5 in abutment with the underside of the plate 16. The base of the shell 64 is positioned on the support 33 below and in alinement with the container '45. The supporting bar 33 is accurately positioned a predetermined distance below the plate [5. Since the screw rests on the over-powder wad 66 of the shell 64, the stem 48 holds the bottom member 41 in an intermediate position such as that shown in Fig. l. A downward pull on the handle 32 moves the plate It to the right to the dot and dash line position of Fig. 1, in which position the aperture 3| registers with the apertures 2| and 15, thus permitting the granular filler material 63" to flow downwardly therethrough and fill the container 45 'above'the bottom member 41. Upon releasing the handle 32, the spring 26 returns the plate l6 to the solid line position, thereby preventing further down fiow of the granular material 63", and leaving the container 45 level full.

By pressing downwardly on the stirrup 44 the support 33 ismoved to the dot and dash line position against the action of the spring 38 to facilitate the removal of the filled container 45 and the shell 64. The shell 64 i removed first to permit the bottom member 41 to drop by gravity into engagement with the end wall 46 of the container 45, so that none of the granular material 63" is spilled inadvertently. The measured quantity of granular material 63" is then poured from the container 45 into the shell 64 over the base wad 66. A wad corresponding to the wads and 69' of Figs. 4 and 5 is then placed over the measured filler charge and the partially loaded shell is again subjected to the pressure of the plunger (not shown). This pressure compresses the filler charge slightly. The shot charge is then placed in the shell and the open end thereof is folded and crimped in the usual manner.

The inner diameter'of the'container 45 is preferably slightly larger than the inner diameter of the shall 64, so that the volumeof the filler charge measured out by the apparatus isslightly greater than the volume of compressed filler required in the finished shell. Due to the fact that, for a given powdercharge, the height of the over-powder wad varies directly with the height of the base wad of a shell, the vertical position-of the movable-bottom member4'i varies directly with the vertical position of the overpowder wad of the shell in which the stem lfi is positioned. This relationship causes the cliec- -tive volume of the container 45, i. e., the space above the member '41, to vary-inverselyw-ith the height of the over-powder wadof the shell in which the stem 48 is positioned. For example, the apparatus would measure out a relatively small amount of Lfiller material for a high base shell, such as the shells 53 and '64, due to the- -relatively high position of the oven-powdered wads of said shells. Conversely, the same apparatus would measure out a relatively large amount of filler for a low base shell, suchas the 'shell 53', due to the relatively low position of the over-powder wad 59" of said shell. In each case, the apparatus measures out the exact amount of filler required for any shell of a given gauge having a given shot charge, and does so in accordance with the height of the over-powder wad regardless of the volumetric capacity of the shell. P It is apparent that the vertical position of the collar 33 may be changed by releasing the thumb screw it. For minute adjustment in the amount of filler material measured out by the improved apparatus, the effective length of the stem 48 can be readily varied by turning the adjustment screw 55 in said stem. These adjustments are desirable to compensate for the use of a different weight of shot charge-no adjustment being required for a variation in the powder charge or type of powder being'used.

The improved shotgun shells are substantially less expensive than shell loaded in the conventional manner and with conventional filler-materials. The speed of loading shells bythe improved method and by using :the improved apparatus is much greater than has been possible heretofore withcon-ventional methods and apparatus, and is particularly well suited for the loading of salvaged, empty, used shotgun shells or cases by amateurs or sportsmen. In addition, the use of the improved filler-material, due to its lubricating properties, has a marked non-erosive effect upon gun barrels.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated as may come within the scope of the claims. 3

-What I claim is:

1. In combination: a support on which is adapted to be positioned a partially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder charge and an over-powder wad within said shell; a filler measuring container adapted to be positioned a predetermined distance above said support, said container having a vertically movable bottom wall; and a stem of predetermined length fixed to and depending from said bottom wall, said stem being adapted to extend into the open end of a partially loaded shell on said support to rest on the over-powder wad thereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wall of the 7 measuring container a predetermined height above the over-powder wad in said shell, whereby the effective volume of the measuring container is inversely proportional to the height of the overpowder wad of the shell.

2. In combination: a support on which is adapted to be positioned a partially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder charge and an over-powder wad within said shell; abutment means positioned a predetermined distance above said support; a filler measuring container having an open upper end adapted to be positioned with the upper end thereof in engagement with said abutment means, said container also having a vertically movable bottom wall;

and a stem of predetermined length fixed to and depending from said bottom wall, said stem being adapted to extend into the open end of a partially loaded shell on said support to rest on the over-powder wad thereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wall of the measuring container a predetermined height above the overpowder wad in said shell, whereby the effective volume of the measuring container when in engagement with the abutment means is inversely proportional to the height of the over-powder wad of the shell.

3. In combination: a support on which is adapted to be positioned a partially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder charge and an over-powder wad Within said shell; a filler measuring container adapted to be positioned a predetermined distance above said support, said container having a vertically movable bottom wall; and a stem of predetermined adjustably fixed length fixed to and depending from said bottom wall, said stem being adapted to extend into the open end of a partially loaded shell on said support to rest on the over-powder wad thereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wall of the measuring container a predetermined height above the over-powder wad in said shell, whereby the effective volume of the measuring container is inversely proportional to the height of the over-powder wad of the shell.

4. In combination: a, movably mounted support on which is adapted to be positioned a partially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder charge and an over-powder wad within said shell; a filler measuring container adapted to be positioned a predetermined distance above the normal position of said support, said container having a vertically movable bottom wall; and a stem of predetermined adjustably fixed length fixed to and depending from said bottom wall, said stem being adapted to extend into the open end of a partially loaded shell on said support to rest on the over-powder wad thereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wall of the measuring container a predetermined height above the over-powder Wad in said shell, whereby the efiective volume of the measuring container is inversely proportional to the height of the overpowder wad of the shell.

5. In combination: a funnel adapted to contain granular filler material; an abutment member adjacent the lower end of said funnel; a movably mounted support on which is adapted to be positioned a partially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder charge and an overpowder wad within said shell, said support being normally positioned a predetermined distance below said abutment member; a filler measuring container having an open upper end adapted to be positioned with said open end in engagement with said abutment member in a position to receive filler material from said funnel, said container having a vertically movable bottom wall; and a stem of predetermined length fixed to and depending from said container bottom wall, said stem being adapted to extend into the open end of a partially loaded shell on said support to rest on the over-powder wad thereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wall of the measuring container a predetermined height above the over-powder wad in said shell, whereby the effective volume of the measuring container when in engagement with the abutment means is inversely proportional to the height of the over-powder wad of the shell.

6. In combination: a funnel adapted to contain granular filler material; a valve at the lower end of said funnel; a movably mounted support on which is adapted to be positioned a partially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder charge and an over-powder wad within said shell, said support being normally positioned a predetermined distance below said valve; a filler measuring container having an open upper end adapted to be positioned with said open end in engagement with said valve in a position to receive filler material from said funnel through said valve, said container having a Vertically movable bottom wall; and a stem of predetermined length fixed to and depending from said container bottom wall, said stem being adapted to extend into the open end of a partially loaded shell on said support to rest on the over-powder wad thereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wall of the measuring container a predetermined height above the over-powder wad in said shell, whereby the efiective volume of the measuring container when in engagement with the valve is inversely proportional to the height of the overpowder wad of the shell.

'7. In combination: a funnel adapted to contain granular filler material; a valve at the lower end of said funnel, said valve having a gate movable in a horizontal plane for controlling the flow of filler material through said valve; a movably mounted support on which is adapted to be positioned a partially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder charge and an overpowder wad within said shell, said support being normally positioned a predetermined distance below said valve gate; a filler measuring container having an open upper end adapted to be positioned with said open end in engagement with said valve gate in a position to receive filler material from said funnel when said gate is opened, said container having a vertically movable bottom wall; and a stem of predetermined length fixed to and depending from said container bottom Wall, said stem being adapted, to extend into the open end of a partially loaded shell on said support to rest on the over-powder wad thereof and to thereby position the movable bottom wall of the measuring container a predetermined height above the over-powder wad in said shell, whereby the effective volume of the measuring container when in engagement with the valve gate is inversely proportional to the height of the over-powder wad of the shell.

8. In combination: a first funnel adapted to contain granular filler material; a second funnel positioned coaxially below the first funnel; an abutment member adjacent the lower end of said second funnel; a movably mounted support on which is adapted to be positioned a partially loaded shotgun shell having an open end with a powder charge and an over-powder wad within volume of the measuring container when in ensaid shell, said support; being normally positioned gagement with the abutment means is inversely open upper end adapted to be positioned with 5 JOHN E. VEUM. said open end in engagement with said abutment member in a position to receive filler material References Cited in the file of this Patent froin salid seconlgl1 fuufil, said maintainer having 1; UNITED TAT PAT T ver ica y mova e o om Wa and a s em 0 T predetermined length fixed to and depending 1 ig i gg M from said container bottom wall, said stem being 170643 smith 1875 adapted to extend into the open end of a par- 283791 La i Au 1883 tially loaded shell on said support to rest on the 326693 Th amps 1885 over-powder wad thereof and to thereby position 1 847'520 Boyd 1932 the movable bottom wall of the measuring con- 15 Bond E 1 1936 tainer a predetermined height above the overc