What Buckshot Mold Are You Guys Using?

[seagiant]

Hi,
Was wondering what buckshot mold were you guys using and what size? Also interested in load data for CYL .730 muzzle 12 guage? I use factory buckshot ammo in my HD weapon but would like to load for range practice! Thanks!

[seagiant]

Hi,
Does a nitro wad in the bottom of the wad cup help?

[Roundgunner]

I use the Lee 18 ball 000 buck.
I just got and only used once a Sharp Shooter mold that has 00 on one side and #4 on the other. It is a bit clunky but I ran it real hot and it was better.
I find it faster to load a .690 for 12 ga or .600 for 20 so I don't do a whole lot of buck. Both those are Lee, a single and a double.

[jmort]

Sharpshooter #1 and 000. Very happy with them. Two molds for around $80.00 delivered. Great deal. I like the simplicity. Also have some ball molds, .575, .600 and .690. Right now working on two .575's in the Hubel Sabot, around 560 grains. If you have the $$$, the Heavy Metal molds sold here by Vendor/Sponsor JT Knives look really nice, around $80.00 plus shipping each.

[seagiant]

Hi,
If you wanted to go cheap would the .31 cal round ball LEE mold work for close to OO Buck size?

[seagiant]

Hi,
This one? http://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/product/productId/7835

[jmort]

Yes that would work for sure. Just would take longer, which I don't mind. It is a DC and the Lee Precision round ball molds don't have the annoying "proud" sprue mark the Lymans balls have.

[pipehand]

Seagiant, that's the mold I've been using. I used it a lot as a second mold to use while sprues cooled on other molds. Then after Christmas, I went on a speedcasting tear with it, and turned out 65 pounds of those little balls. I'm set for about a thousand rounds of 9 pellet buckshot before I need to use that mold again. I also have the Lee single cavity .600" mold for the Tri-ball, and a Lyman .678" rb mold.

[pipehand]

Seagiant, 9 of the .311" pellets weigh less than an ounce, but they fit well in a Win waa12 white wad. If you water drop the balls right out of the mold, and load them like a 1250 fps trap load you will be amazed at how much tighter they pattern than cheap factory buckshot. You can actually put those ghost ring sights to use.

[seagiant]

Seagiant, 9 of the .311" pellets weigh less than an ounce, but they fit well in a Win waa12 white wad. If you water drop the balls right out of the mold, and load them like a 1250 fps trap load you will be amazed at how much tighter they pattern than cheap factory buckshot. You can actually put those ghost ring sights to use.

Hi Pipehand,
Sounds good! Just what I'm looking for! Can you use Clay's or Red Dot for that? I have Green STS and Win AA hulls?

[jmort]

"Does a nitro wad in the bottom of the wad cup help?"

Yes, generally, but it depends. Read some of Ajay's threads which have great graphics and ideas. Some of the slug info will apply to buckshot loads. Here are a couple:

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?150140-VdoMemorie-Blazing-Sabot!
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?139560-Faster-Buckshot-loads!

[pipehand]

Hi Pipehand,
Sounds good! Just what I'm looking for! Can you use Clay's or Red Dot for that? I have Green STS and Win AA hulls?

The wads will work in either of those hulls. I've never used Clays, but I have used Red Dot. International Clays has worked very well for me. I just need to buy more of it as I'm out.

[jim4065]

Hi,
Does a nitro wad in the bottom of the wad cup help?

Which load are you using? I have used cut wad petals to gain a taller stack when making less than max loads, but only use a hard card when the load calls for it.

[seagiant]

Hi,
I'm not using any load yet, just trying to come up with a receipe that I can use with what I've already have in components!

[W.R.Buchanan]

Greg: Just got one of HM2 Mould's buckshot moulds which does 12 at a time. Really nice pieces of aluminum machined well. They are .330

See them in the Swapin' and Sellin' forum. Very nice stuff.

Randy

[seagiant]

Greg: Just got one of HM2 Mould's buckshot moulds which does 12 at a time. Really nice pieces of aluminum machined well. They are .330

See them in the Swapin' and Sellin' forum. Very nice stuff.

Randy

Hi Randy,
J mentioned those,they look nice. I was going to just get a LEE 2-cav but they are a little hard to find and the shipping. Might be better just to up the money and get one of those! Probably happier in the end and holds its value!

[Shedhunter]

I am using Lee 00 and #4 buckshot moulds. I can make a lot of buck in a short period. I throw them in the tumbler and they look great.

[Fishman]

+1 for the Heavy Metal mould. The pellets just fall out. Very nice to use.

[Rusty Shackleford]

00 Sharpshooter[smilie=p:

[W.R.Buchanan]

Greg: yes the HM2 moulds will hold their value better. I see nothing wrong with the Lee moulds either, and I was actually going to buy one but all of the normal sources were out so I went into the S&S section and found these.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?206379-00-Buck-mold-HM²-12-cav-mold-3rd-run

Pretty good work.

Randy

[seagiant]

Hi Randy,
Did you get your Lyman slug mold?

Well, I just got the LEE .311 RB DC mold Titan had it at a good price and I heard it works well. Casting is therapy for me anyway!

[W.R.Buchanan]

Yes I will make some this weekend and send you a few. I will also send along a few of the 1/4" felt wads.

The shot mould should be here soon as well.

Randy

[seagiant]

Hi,
That looks like a round ball. I thought you got the 525 slug mold that looks like a big pellet!

[dwb0804]

I use the lee 2 cavity round ball molds and the sharpshooter molds. Of all the mold I own the sharpshooter is my favorite to use. They have a combo OO/#4.