Unloading and reloading same shells in shotgun.?

Question

I currently have a 12 ga. shotgun that I keep for protection (Just my choice). I load it every night but with the chamber empty. I do this because I'm a deep sleeper so if I snap awake it's a few precious seconds I missed. Therefore in the day I unload it because I'll be able to get to it in time and I don't want the spring to find a new "memory" point.

I've noticed the tips of the shells are getting scratches and harder to unload. Is this something to worry about or will they hold up.

(Remington shells for your information)

Answer 1

The shells will get deformed over time and eventually cause the gun to jam. You can probably tell just by looking when you should stop using them, but I'd imagine you can load and unload many times before you get that level of damage.



Two things to consider:



First, spring memory is pretty much a myth perpetuated by people who sell springs. Especially springs made from modern metals just do not get fatigued from use. You could leave that shotgun loaded for a year at a time, just unload it every Christmas day, and that spring will still be perfectly good when you die and the gun gets passed to your grandchildren. Seriously.



Second, with most shotguns, you can unload them without feeding the shells through the action. The specifics very from model to model, but involve holding the loading gate open and manually releasing the catches inside. You can then pull the shells straight from the tube with nearly no damage.

Answer 2

I used to relaod shotgun shells some years ago. Back then I had a Thompson Contender pistol with a 410 barrel - reloading allowed me to create rounds that were much more powerful and effecient in that pistol than factory bird rounds for hunting. Back then it did save me money. However, I had already been loading metalic cartridges for 15 years - I already had the powder scale etc and much of the powder I had on the bench worked for both pistols and shotgun shells (Unique, Red Dot and Blue Dot). I bought my shotgun shell press second hand and that saved me money. You should start reloading shotgun shells today!!! The only reason shotgun shells are cheap today is because the current stock on the shelves has not been replaced by newer boxes that are going to become much more expensive in a few months. When the same shipping restrictions that are killing the ammo industry catch up with these shells they are going to skyrocket in price around October. Just as the days of $15 a brick 22 ammo are gone - so will the days of $6-$7 boxes of 12ga shotgun shells! Or worse - there will be none on the store shelves - just like pistol and rifle ammo is today in many places. If you have the money - start buying your shotgun shells by the case lot. Before they are all gone. Hope this helps

Answer 3

There's really no reason to keep unloading and loading your gun. Keep it out of reach from little folks and keep the safety on.



You'll do more harm than good by doing that to the spring. But you did fail to mention if it's a pump, o/u, side-by-side, or a semi-auto. With a semi-auto, constant compression and release of the spring (like unloading and loading and unloading, etc..) will put wear onto the spring and could cause the gun to malfunction. With a o/u, there's 'fake shells' (forgot the name) that you put into the barrel and you 'dry fire' the gun with them in it to relieve pressure.



A 12 ga (any shotgun really) is good for protection. I have a 20 ga (semi-auto) that I've kept loaded for over a month now (long story about why), and I haven't had any problems with it. My bf also keeps a 16 ga loaded at all times and he's done that for over 3 years and he's never had a problem from his gun.

Answer 4

There shouldn't be a problem with the cartridges wearing out. There may be a rough edge in the mag tube or follower that is scratching the shells. As far a worrying about the magazine spring taking a set or weakening, don't worry. I've had a Mossberg 500 for over twenty years and it has spent a good part of that time with five shells sitting in the tube and it hasn't shown any signs of quiting on me yet. I'd just keep the tube loaded unless there are kids or unreliable roomies about.

Answer 5

Loading and Unloading ISNT good for ammunition in PISTOLS.

This is typical police procedure now, NOT to keep loading and unloading pistols, because what happens is scratches keep forming on the brass cases of the Round and EVENTUALLY it weakens the cartridge and causes a KB(kaboom), which means say "bye-bye" to your pistol, and possibly your hand(s) or eyes and face or your life.



So I WOULDNT do it with shotgun shells either.





I hear what your saying though, i still find myself doing it with my Glock and AK sometimes.....even though i know the damage risks.





But its NOT good practice generally.



Police rule of thumb is if you've unloaded the round even once, you should properly dispose of the round.





I've PERSONALLY unloaded and reloaded a single pistol round 5 seperate times atleast, ended up accidentily taking it to the range and firing it, and it DIDNT have catastrophic faliure, but thats doesn't mean it wont happen.





Just load a few shells in the carrier tube or whatever, then just leave it alone, so if you need it, all you gotta do is Pump it.

And if you're worried about sleep walking or something, atleast it's not pumped and ready to shoot.

(hopefully your not smart enough to pump it in your sleep or something,lol)



I do the same thing with my Glock.

I keep the magazine in, and usually dont keep one in the chamber.

Because i just never know when im going to the pistol range, and im just tired of shooting Unloaded rounds or Disposing of them!

Answer 6

If your going to leave the gun loaded then keep it loaded! After time, wear and tear will come into affect. That spring was designed for harsh treatment but it will wear out eventually!

Answer 7

Keeping spring compressed won't hurt it, but compressing and uncompressing it will. You'd be better of just leaving it loaded.

Answer 8

* No problem *