Dixie Slugs
10-25-2007, 10:20 AM
There seems to be a growing interest in slug shooting in shotguns....not only in Shotgun-Only states, but also in All-Gun-States.
There are plenty of forums that discuss sabot type ammo for hunters trying to extend their range.....so I wil not address that subject.
Other than sabot rounds we have:
(1) Hollow base slugs...soft swaged Foster type....for smoothbore barrels.
(2) Various slug to be used in shotshell wads....like Lee, Lyman, and others....in smoothbore barrels.
(3) Various round ball loads
(4) Full bore slug/bullets to be used in rifled shotgun barrels.
Items #1,#2,#3 are more or less discussed here in detail.
When dealing with smootbores we are faced with a slug design from the factories that can be used in all types of chokes....only a compromise at best. They tend to lead the barrels bad and have inconsistant accuracy.
There are custom cylinder barrels that shoot a full size hard cast round ball very good....a copy of the early British round ball guns.
There are also custiom cylinder barrels designed to shoot full size hard cast hollow base slugs also.....and they do well.
There is a growing market for full size hard cast heat treated slug/bullet ammo designed for fully rifled barrels for use against dangerous/large game in heavy cover within reasonable ranges. These loads duplicate the early Brit loads used in Africa/India.
Today it is very hard to find a mold maker that will lathe cut a 730" mold! Note, I said .730" diameter, which is ideal for today's rifled barrels (.727" groove-.717" land - will give the ideal .003" compression in the grooves).
Many of the molds based on the Paradox design or over size, as well as their hollow base molds.
If one is looking for cheap ammo....stay with Lee, etc. And.....Lee Key Slug is not bad when matched with a Federal 12S3 wad (20 ga card under the slug inside the wad). These slugs can be cast from wheelweight and penetrate well.
Bottom line is you get the quality you pay for.
Regards, James
There are plenty of forums that discuss sabot type ammo for hunters trying to extend their range.....so I wil not address that subject.
Other than sabot rounds we have:
(1) Hollow base slugs...soft swaged Foster type....for smoothbore barrels.
(2) Various slug to be used in shotshell wads....like Lee, Lyman, and others....in smoothbore barrels.
(3) Various round ball loads
(4) Full bore slug/bullets to be used in rifled shotgun barrels.
Items #1,#2,#3 are more or less discussed here in detail.
When dealing with smootbores we are faced with a slug design from the factories that can be used in all types of chokes....only a compromise at best. They tend to lead the barrels bad and have inconsistant accuracy.
There are custom cylinder barrels that shoot a full size hard cast round ball very good....a copy of the early British round ball guns.
There are also custiom cylinder barrels designed to shoot full size hard cast hollow base slugs also.....and they do well.
There is a growing market for full size hard cast heat treated slug/bullet ammo designed for fully rifled barrels for use against dangerous/large game in heavy cover within reasonable ranges. These loads duplicate the early Brit loads used in Africa/India.
Today it is very hard to find a mold maker that will lathe cut a 730" mold! Note, I said .730" diameter, which is ideal for today's rifled barrels (.727" groove-.717" land - will give the ideal .003" compression in the grooves).
Many of the molds based on the Paradox design or over size, as well as their hollow base molds.
If one is looking for cheap ammo....stay with Lee, etc. And.....Lee Key Slug is not bad when matched with a Federal 12S3 wad (20 ga card under the slug inside the wad). These slugs can be cast from wheelweight and penetrate well.
Bottom line is you get the quality you pay for.
Regards, James