Slug size and style for tight full choke?

[cpileri]

So i am still on my heavy slug parade...
I have a smoothbore bbl that is .720-.722 bore size ( yes I slugged it, and it starts out that tight!) up to the choke, then chokes down to .700-.702 depending on which of the four measurements i use. I would like to make a nice slug shooter out of it but am concerned about pressure involved in swageing a slug down a full .02 inches.

I know that the best slug accuracy in a smooth barrel is achieved w a " slip fit". Sure a .70 slug will scoot right down the bore, but under gravity alone and not w the recommended 6-8 lbs of pressure indicating a "slip fit".

I also dont want gas blow by or cutting by just using a .70 slug, though a good bpi gas seal may help- though having an undersized slug careening slanted down the bore doesnt sound conducive to accuracy either.

Am I doomed to only Brenneke type slugs that have fins allowing the slug to swage through? Or am i stuck w cutting off or reaming out the choke? Or will a soft lead slug w a skirt both obturate to fill the .72 bore then swage safely to .70? Or maybe a .70 slug w a .72 front driving band and a has seal to keep it aligned?

Basically i would like to use a heavier than normal slug if possible, and am in the planning stages exploring my options.

Thanks for all learned advice!

C-

[SuperBlazingSabots]

Hello Cpileri, now you can understand what the ammo manufacturing co. face, no industry standards and the product must perform to their satisfaction!

In your case a Lyman Foster slug mold of .705 will do fine when you cast them with pure lead, a little experiment while loading will get you on the right load!
Those slug molds are not cheap and the mold handles alone cost about $30+.
I wish Lee had some cheaper ones but none that I could think of.
I do have the Lyman mold and if you would like to buy them, you can PM me.

Warmest regards,
Ajay
BlazingSabots@Gmail.com
Blazing Sabots, LLC
http://www.BlazingSabots.com
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[longbow]

Yup, you will certainly need a gas seal of some sort. I just shot some slug loads using nitro card over powder wad and hard card wad column under slugs in cut off shotcups (like thin sabots) and there was so much gas leakage that the shotcups are burned and shredded in spots ~ almost like they were stretched and pulled apart.

While I agree with Ajay on the Lyman being suitable, I have as yet to get decent accuracy from them. I was recently told that the Lyman slug cast of soft lead can be made to shoot well but requires a very solid wad column and support to get it to do so. I will try again but wish you good luck with them.

If you try the Lyman slug, you might try paper patching or a wrap of Teflon or Mylar to get it to bore size too.

Lee Drive Key slugs or Lyman sabot slugs should also work for you, again, if cast of soft lead. Most of the hollow base slugs are made to be able to swage through a choke. It won't likely give best accuracy but it will be safe. The exceptions would be very thick skirted hard alloy slugs or solid slugs. Dixie Terminators are an example of slug NOT designed to be shot through a choke.

None of the above slugs are heavyweights though with the Lyman sabot slug at 525 grs. being heaviest.

If you can find reloadable Brennekes, they used to make a heavy slug of 1 1/4 oz (IIRC) and Gualandi makes the 1 3/8 oz. DGS slug for reloading. Otherwise you are stuck with factory rounds or a custom mould.

Is there a reason you want to shoot heavy slugs through a choked gun? Better to use a dedicated slug gun with cylinder bore and rifle sights.

Longbow

[cpileri]

Why? Just because I have it. If I had my choice, it would be a cylinder bore.
And, i just have this 'thing' for heavy slugs lately.

I wondered abt the Guilandi slugs, if their front driving band is .72, its thin enough to swage down w/o too many problems. Just nead the rear gas seal to make it straight in the bore.
C-

[TonyfromItaly]

cpileri
guys here in italy use the gualandi (both 32 and 40 grams) wild hog hunting, shooting with double barrels choked full/modified without any problems. I think you should not have any problems with them.
The gualandi is very accurate at long range, however it is a "hard" lead, and often at short range, the slugs goes from side to side with little damage to internal organs.

[jmort]

This might work
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/AQ-Slug-12ga-25_pak/productinfo/0151000/
or this
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Shuttlecock-Slug-12ga-660-450gr-25_pk/productinfo/7000003/
or this
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Foster-Slug-12ga-678-375gr-25_pk/productinfo/7000002/

[longbow]

Those are all good choices but he says he wants heavy slugs. Those all run about 1 oz.

I bought some AQ's a few years ago and they shot extremely well for me. I have been trying to duplicate them with home shop made stuff. I have gotten close but not as consistent as I want.

In any case, my vote goes to the AQ's for standard weight slugs. BPI also supplies reloading info for their slugs so that is good to get.

Longbow

[jmort]

If O/P wants to use heavy slugs he would be well served to get a shotgun with .730" rifled/cylinder bore. Otherwise, adapt to what you have, or as they say, "run what you brung." I agree and think the AQ's make sense.