Well I got the bug from reading all the shotgun slug posts on here and ordered up a Lee 7/8 oz mold.I am completely new to shotgun reloading so I have a few questions. I bought some Fiocchi 2 3/4 primed hulls and plan on using one of these powders HS-6, Titewad, Clays or maybe Unique. Got about 200 slugs casted and I have loaded a few test rounds with HS-6 with Claybuster Lighting and Claybuster Federal clones of 12S0 wads. My question is after seeing Ajays posts on pressure to push the wads thru the bore to test tightness with about 10-12 lbs resistance. I done a test with the 12S0 clone and it is to tight to go down the bore without the nitro card, and the Lighting is to lose. I have a H&R Pardner Protector 12 gauge 18 1/2" Cylinder bore shotgun that I am doing the tests with. I also have some Federal 12S0 wads now and the Trap Commander wads that Ajay recommended and they are very tight as well. The slugs are casted from range scrap lead and are about .690 at the widest part of the slug. The barrel is about .730 with caliper measurements as best as I can tell. I do not hunt anymore so the rounds will be used for range fun and home defense purposes only. The test rounds were loaded with 32 grains of HS-6 but after seeing the pressure testing of the wads going backwards thru the barrel I am afraid to shoot them? Do you think they will be safe too shoot, as I do not want to blow up a good shotgun or worse get myself hurt. I do have the Lymans # 5 manual and I am following all the correct reloading procedures, but do not want to make a big mistake. I have been reloading rifle and pistol for 30 years but the 12 gauge is new to me and do not want to mess up. Want some help from the slug pros Ajay, Longbow and others. As I am totally scare to pull the trigger now that I saw the tightness of the wad slug combo. Please help a newbie slug caster.
Ron