Hello all,
I've decided to take the plunge into casting round balls as buckshot for my shotgun but a big part of that decision was my discovery of "gallery loads" for my Dan Wesson .357 magnum (6 in barrel).
In looking around I've found some accounts using 00 buck (.32 caliber) round balls and patching them with lubed cloth (this is George Nonte's recommendation). I've found other accounts that a 000 (.36 caliber) with just a little lubricant (no patching material) is common. I haven't found a published source on that but plenty of individuals vouch for it.
I'm only going to buy 1 mold at this juncture so I'm looking for some advice from those more experienced. Should I lean towards the .36 or the .32?
Possibly relevant is that I don't have a metallic reloading press, just a Lee Loader and a scale. Nonte specifically noted in his article that his .32 caliber load could be loaded without formal tools, if the same is true of the .36 I have a slight preference for a bigger ball but if it requires sizing and crimping I'm happy to get the .32.