I've been experimenting a lot with #1 buck, and recently traded some off to another CB member. I've been loading the #1 using lead shot data, just substituting the weight.
The shot is cast from a Sharpshooter mold using WW with a little bit of lino and tin for fill out.
I can't fit four layers of 3 in the Federal wads I'm using (too shallow--I think I need to get the deepest Fed 12SO they make) to make a 12 pellet load. So instead I've been cutting the petals off and making a 4x3 load instead. The height comes out perfect for a roll crimp.
Would there be a preference? I suspect having the shot enclosed in a wad would help a bit as it would avoid lead on steel contact/scrubbing.
I as also wondering, what's the packing arrangement in a 16 pellet 2 3/4" load? You can only fit 3 pellets in thin walled wads per layer. That, and 16 isn't a multiple of 3! So it must be 4x4 with no shot cup?
Just curious--so far I've just been using this for informal phone-book blasting and HD practice and use commercial stuff for HD. But if I'm going to spend the time loading my own, may as well do it as good as possible.