If you prefer to print supplement for reference or read later

Using a shotgun with these features makes reloading easier; you will advance much faster in your training, avoid injury, and enjoy the process more. When I first began my training, I started with basic hunting shotguns and converted them for tactical use by shortening the barrels and extending the mag tubes. The loading ports on these shotguns have sharp edges, and I would cut myself while reloading. A quick fix was to tape my thumb with medical tape before practice.  Soon after, I beveled the loading ports and tossed the tape. With smooth, rounded loading-port edges and by freeing my thumb from the tape, I took my loading skills to another level. See my video:
Shotgun Loading Port Mod: How to DIY for smooth, fast reloads

Another modification I made included cutting down the spring in the magazine tube.  These springs typically have much higher spring rates than are needed for reliable cycling.  I found the balance between reliable cycling and easier loading. And in over 20,000 rounds fired, never had a failure associated with a weak spring.

Converting a hunting shotgun for tactical use also requires a shorter foregrip. The stock grip covers part of the loading port when the shotgun is racked to eject a shell. Depending on the shotgun model, this can prevent you from unloading it without racking it and performing a shell stop-and-exchange. I’m not getting into that now. Just be aware that the foregrip either needs to be cut down if you want to keep the wood or replaced with an aftermarket grip. Shotgun conversions are not included in the training series videos; however, I will make separate videos in the future with more details on these modifications.

Training with dummy rounds and recommendations.
There is no better way to learn shotgun reloading skills than with Dummy Rounds, especially when first learning, because it gives you the opportunity to practice safely and consistently at home. It’s easy to fit in 10-15 minutes of loading drills into your day. If you’re only practicing reloading drills when you’re at the range or out shooting, you will never advance your skills, and without reloading skills, you will never become tactically proficient with your shotgun.

Caution: Always make sure your shotgun is clear of live rounds and make sure there are no live rounds in the room where you are training. This is a general firearm safety protocol. Make it a habit to check your firearm before every training session.

The Dummy rounds need to be weighted to give a realistic feel to live shells.  1.5 oz is a perfect weight.  So far, the best value I have found for Dummy rounds is on Amazon. Please see the link below

Tips and guidelines to stay safe and avoid injury

• Train only with dummy rounds, never train with live ammo unless you are at the range and planning on shooting what you loaded.    

• Build up and condition muscles slowly

• Do not over-practice. Stop if hand fatigue sets in or if you feel soreness. Give yourself a break for a couple of days. 

• If the loading port on your shotgun has sharp edges, protect your thumb and possibly your index finger with medical tape.

• If the loading port is not smooth and beveled, watch our how-to videos and do it yourself, or find someone who can do it for you.

• Mix other types of drills and exercises in your training sessions to avoid overuse and injury to your hand, muscles, joints, and tendons.  

Tips and guidelines for training

• Master the objectives in each module before moving on.

•   Use Dummy Rounds and train indoors

• Unload your shotgun manually without racking to eject the shells. Racking to eject shells damages the dummy rounds and will eventually render them unusable. 

• Train consciously and consistently; more training isn't always better. Focus on being smooth and reliable, not on speed.  Your speed will naturally increase with your training.

• Be conscious of your technique, feel free to experiment with it, making subtle changes until it feels just right.

• If you find you're getting sloppy and fumbling shells, slow down, maybe go back to the previous module.

• Enjoy the process and recognize your accomplishments as you progress through the course.

Be Prepared Checklist

‍ Order at least 2 Shotgun Speed Bundles‍ ‍

Read the supplemental training materials.‍ ‍

Order dummy rounds; I recommend getting at least 10 to 15. These are good quality and priced well: Amazon Link for GORTAR 12 ga dummy rounds‍ ‍

Evaluate your shotgun: is it set up for smooth, fast reloading, or are there problems that hinder you and slow your progress?‍ ‍

·  What is the magazine capacity? It should be at least 4.‍ ‍

·   Is the loading port smooth and beveled? If not, use medical tape to protect yourself from cuts until you can do a port modification. Link to video

‍ ·  Do you know how to unload your shotgun without cycling the action? Every model is different, but on most, you just press the shell stop inside the loading port to eject the shell.

Master the 5 shell handload tips and guidelines 101

This guide serves as a supplement to the Master the Five Shell Handload 101 video and will give helpful tips and guidelines not covered in the video.

First, let’s review the training strategy.
The video breaks down learning the 5-shell handload into 5 simple steps, starting with 1 shell, then 2, 3, 4, and finally 5 shells.

The strategy is simple and bulletproof if you master each step before moving on. You will master the 5-shell hand reload and perform it smoothly, reliably, and quickly.

How do you master each step?
In each step, go through the same 3 levels of mastery.

1.       Observation: This where you troubleshoot, carefully observe your movements, identify problems, and adjust your technique. Once you have solved any issue and your reloading feels good, move on.

2.       Repeat: Once you find your technique, you're going to repeat it until reloads are consistent, smooth, and reliable. You can easily perform them without fail.

3.       Second-Nature: You should have repeated the reload enough that now it is becoming second-nature; you are building muscle memory, and in this phase, you turn your attention away from your reloading. You can close your eyes or look the other way; the movements are becoming intuitive. Your muscle memory will find the loading port every time.  This is important to begin with step 1, becausein real life, you need to focus on the threat, not on reloading.

 This is a proven progressive training approach that always works.  By following the process, you will find it enjoyable and rewarding, as you make progress and acquire new skills at each stage.

Conditioning muscles and creating muscle memory.
Why do we start with just one shell? There is more to learn about loading one shell at a time than most realize. This is the time to evaluate your shotgun and consider upgrades. This is when we begin conditioning and training muscles and movements. By focusing on the correct movements, we are training our motor memory.

 As you train, you are developing motor memory.  It’s important in the beginning to practice correct techniques as precisely as possible. You are connecting your mind and muscles to movements. If you make sloppy movements, your mind will repeat them. The point is to train your mind and muscles to move precisely the same way every time. This comes from consistently repeating the correct movements, resulting in smooth and reliable reloads every time.

Avoiding injury and overtraining.

When I first began training in the 5-shell reload, I set out to train every day and would perform reloads until my hand got so tired I had to stop. That did not last long, and I soon suffered the consequences of overtraining. Not only that, but my training sessions were unproductive because, when hand fatigue sets in, your loads become sloppy. Going back to what we just talked about, you are subconsciously training yourself to be sloppy. My hand, especially my thumb joint, became so sore that I had to completely stop training until it healed, which took a couple of weeks. This is not the way to train!

Starting off slow, one shell at a time, builds strength in your hand and conditions the muscles, tendons, and joints. This allows you the time to practice correct, consistent techniques.

The two variables to consider when training are the frequency and duration of your sessions. When starting out, it’s the duration that’s most likely to lead to injury. If you start with a frequency of 2 or 3 times per day for just 5 minutes, you begin conditioning your muscles, tendons, and joints, and gain strength. You can gradually increase the duration and reduce the frequency to 1 practice every other day, then increase the frequency from there.  If you feel soreness or pain, allow yourself a day or two to rest and recover.

Another tip is to train in other skills at the same time; for instance, single-shell chamber loading or other training exercises unrelated to reloading.

Who can benefit from these training exercises?

·        Anyone who wants to learn how to reload smoothly, reliably, and quickly with Shotgun Speed Bundles? And integrate other reloading techniques.

• Beginning shooters who want to learn tactical reloading skills from the ground up. Beginning with the basics and progressing to advanced techniques.

•  All levels of tactical shotgun enthusiasts can benefit from these videos, as we cover multiple loading techniques and include exercises and drills to become proficient.

What types of shotguns are Speed Bundles geared for?
Shotgun Speed Bundles are designed to hold 5 shells. You can easily extract them with one hand and load them one at a time into a tube-style magazine. Any shotgun with a tube magazine holding 4 or more shells can be loaded using this technique. This includes pump action and autos. Examples include a Remington 870, V3, Tac-14, and Tac-13. Mossberg 500, 590, 940, 990, Shockwave, and Aftershock. 

Shotgun modifications for easier reloading
High-end tactical or competition shotguns come set up for easy, smooth reloading.  They come with high-capacity magazines, beveled and oversized loading ports, shorter foregrips, and finer finishing to reduce friction. Hunting, general-purpose, or low-end so-called tactical shotguns will not have these features and will require modifications.