Lee 00 buckshot mold.

[45-70 Chevroner]

In the last few months I have seen here on Castboolits of complaints about not being able to load 9 of the Lee 00 buckshot in a shell because the load bulges the case. I did not see anyone that posted a complaint that said what they were trying to load them in. I am using a Winchester AA 2 3/4" 12 ga. shell with a 1 to 1 1/8 oz shot wad. The trick is to use only 8 of them. They will roll off you fingers and stack themselves perfectly in the wad. I use 18 1/2 grs of unique for about a 1100 FPS load. The shell crimps perfectly and no bulging, Eight .33 cal. buckshot weigh a little less than one oz with pure WWs. I have loaded other brands of shot shells, ie Federal, Remington, Universal with the same wad and load, the only thing is the crimp does not crimp as well, but still shoot just as well in my Rossi side by side.

[GabbyM]

Forty years ago when I loaded OO buck in 12 gage. What I did was to cut the shot cup petals of plastic wads. This gave enough room to load the three layers of three without a bulge.

I used a powder bushing for a magnum load of 1 1/4 OZ bird shot using a slow ball powder WW540, sold as HS6 now I think. Slow powder gives high velocity and good patterns.

[DLCTEX]

I think I loaded 9 -.311 balls with no problems.

[1n5ane]

I've noticed that you'll be able to get the buckshot the stack in 3 pellet layers(with some force) but it'll still bulge the hull.
Lucky, it fits most chambers without getting stuck.
Cutting the petals and using a shot wrap is probably the best solution; you'll still get tight patterns and you don't risk jamming the shell in the chamber.

[45-70 Chevroner]

I don't think forcing 9 .33 cal balls gives any advantage over 8. In a self defence mode I don't think the receiver will know the difference. It is much less work to use 8 also.

[Faret]

Best one I have tried so far is Waa12-r 8 pellets 00 buck 45 gr of C.O.W. (cream of wheat) one overshot card pushed with 28 gr of imr 800x and a win primer. Chronos right at 1400 and leaves the shoulder in the same place.