20 ga shells paper worth anything?

[mb911]

I have a bunch of papershells for a 20 ga shot gun. Are they worth anything or should I just shoot them? I can post pictures if you like. just curious as I am new to this stuff

[targa911S]

bout .50 to a buck a piece. shoot em you will like the feel of paper shells.

[mb911]

How can I tell the difference? I probably have 35 shells all different loads. Would prefer they go to someone that wants or needs them.

[targa911S]

paper has less recoil. i'll take em if yer just gonna dump them.

[berettafan]

and they SMELL SO NICE AFTER FIRING!!!



use them only in fixed breach guns and be careful to save them after firing. i don't reload any more but someone (perhaps targa911s) who does reload would appreciate them. you don't get too many reloads out of them but they are neat.

[targa911S]

no i don't reload.

[berettafan]

be careful as papers MAY be very old (though not necessarily). again, do not fire them in a semi auto.

[mb911]

single shot 20 gauge is what they are for. I would guess they were my grandpa's and my dad ended up with them somehow. they fire fine shot 6 of them the other day. still have the box for them as well. I would gladly trade them for new shells as I have no interest in the paper unless they are worth a good amount of money

[berettafan]

single shot, good! very old shells....potential issues such as a misfire and a wad stuck in the bbl when the next shell is loaded and fired....

[mb911]

Originally Posted by berettafan

single shot, good! very old shells....potential issues such as a misfire and a wad stuck in the bbl when the next shell is loaded and fired....

What is the deal with misfire's?

[berettafan]

as i recall powder does not necessarily have an infinite life and can even 'leak' (evidence would be a stain on the shells near the 'brass') certain chemicals. can also be caused by poor storage (excess humidity, etc).

IF you have a misfire or all of the powder isn't ignited or the powder has degraded chemically you can have an issue where the gun fires but the wad doesn't quite make it out of the bbl. this isn't always as obvious as you might think and prudence requires you check the bbl to be sure it is clear. this is easily done every time with a break action gun like your single shot (important note is that you are able to check from the REAR of the bbl!).

anyways, if the wad doesn't clear the bbl and you fail to notice it the next shot could very well split the bbl wide open.

[m21sniper]

Originally Posted by mb911

What is the deal with misfire's?

It depends how they were stored.

If kept in a cool, dry environment they can last centuries. Kept in a hot, moist area, they may go bad in a matter of a few years.

So it all depends.

I keep all my ammo in waterproof/air tight GI ammo cans, with a desacant bag or two thrown in each can for good measure. Stored in this way, my stockpile of ammunition will probably last for a hundred years.

Longer than me anyway...

[azasadny]

I wouldn't shoot these as many folks collect them and will pay $ for the ammo...

[mb911]

Originally Posted by azasadny

I wouldn't shoot these as many folks collect them and will pay $ for the ammo...

I would be happy to find those folks as all I want is some ammo to shoot

[targa911S]

Sometimes the box is worth WAY more than the ammo. mb what ga. is this stuff?

[mb911]

here is what I have though I am not conviced the shells belong to the boxes. this is all 20ga ammo

[azasadny]

Paper shotshells were selling at the local gun show this weekend. You can list them on gunbroker.com or gunsamerica.com, sell them and use the $ to buy new 20ga at your local Gander Mtn, etc...

[daepp]

Originally Posted by berettafan

anyways, if the wad doesn't clear the bbl and you fail to notice it the next shot could very well split the bbl wide open.

I saw something on TV (So it must be true right) where they tried everything they could do to stop up the end of a barrel. Mud etc. was crammed in, but they never could get the barrel to split or cause any other problem. I think it was Mythbusters.

[targa911S]

Ohhhh, I have seen them, many of them. My B.I.L. just split the side on an 1100. Could have been real ugly. No obstruction in his. It just blew out using a sabot.

[Joeaksa]

Originally Posted by targa911S

Sometimes the box is worth WAY more than the ammo. mb what ga. is this stuff?

Especially the older Weatherby ammo and boxes. Friend of mine collects it and pays HIGH $$$ for it.