Some buck and ball loads

[Roundgunner]

So I have the winter time blues and decided to make up some super apocalypse zombie loads for the indecisive shooter who wants the best of everything on a shoestring budget. (me)

I used AA hulls, Remington SP12 wads, 22 gr Greendot, 5-#4 BUCKSHOT, 1-.600 BALL, 7-#4 BUCK with a tyvek card on top .

AA hulls, Remington SP12 wads, 22 gr Greendot, 5-#4 BUCKSHOT, 1-.600 BALL, 3-00 BUCK.

The shot is all alloy so it is a bit lighter than lead. (.600 ball =312gr) they weigh out at 540 gr and 564gr.
I think with 22 gr Greendot it is a regular pressure field load. I will shoot them soon and post some pix.

[savage308]

I have both molds (Lee) and I will try this. I don't have the sp12 wads so I will look into getting some. my lee load all
is set up to drop 22gr of greendot because it works great for my 7/8 lee slugs. I go through a lot of them.

[Roundgunner]

I went to the range and tried the loads out today. The recoil was light (11-87 POLICE) and did a few fast follow ups. All shots were done at 25 yards. (the max distance from my house to the woods line) These are for Zombies.
This is the load with 5-#4 buck on bottom, .60 ball then 7-#4 on top with a paper card on top of that.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/4buck60ball_zps0957b15f.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/4buck60ball_zps0957b15f.jpg.html)

This one is 5-#4 buck on bottom, .60 ball then 3-00 on top

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/4buck60ball00buck_zps25a14123.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/4buck60ball00buck_zps25a14123.jpg.html)

I also took some .690 ball with me and did some fast body shots and was pretty impressed so I did slow aimed head shots.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/IMAG0368_zpsc0d3d370.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/IMAG0368_zpsc0d3d370.jpg.html)

I like the #4 with .60ball and 00 on top. I may see if I can get 6-00 and the .60 ball.

[Heavy lead]

Can you show how you are stacking these?

[acguy45]

Those are some very good results ,I am interested in your construction of this load as well. also I'm interested in the .690 roundball load I have loaded a few but my accuracy results as of yet are no where as good as yours.

[Roundgunner]

I will get some photos tonight. I was impressed with how much hard packed dirt they chew up. Zombies wont be getting back up after these.

[Hogtamer]

are you sure about the ball size? .690 in an rp wad just doesn't add up! those are great results though!! Cylinder bore??

[Roundgunner]

The 690 was with a brush wad and 1/8 16 ga nitro card and AA hulls. Choke is IC

[jmort]

If you really want to smoke something, those are great loads would like to see what happens at 40/50 yards. The .600 ball seems to like the company, as it is hitting the mark. Thanks for putting the work into this.

[Hogtamer]

outstanding!

[Roundgunner]

These are not too time consuming to make, seems faster than stacking buckshot.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0001_zps81f297ca.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0001_zps81f297ca.jpg.html)

The 5- #4 buck on the bottom make a nice spot for the .60 ball to sit.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/e45543fb-41a5-4875-975b-aff6ed19c158_zps684559c4.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/e45543fb-41a5-4875-975b-aff6ed19c158_zps684559c4.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/71d0c7c3-a2cd-408b-98ba-0a4dee803d65_zpsc9a36325.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/71d0c7c3-a2cd-408b-98ba-0a4dee803d65_zpsc9a36325.jpg.html)

Then the other seven sit nicely on top, everything seems symmetric and balanced.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/9ca7cc0f-024a-472b-a1cc-da489528d2a1_zps8ccee986.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/9ca7cc0f-024a-472b-a1cc-da489528d2a1_zps8ccee986.jpg.html)


I use the Tyvek card to keep the center #4 buck from coming out during recoil and feeding.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0007_zpsd3a6fa88.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0007_zpsd3a6fa88.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0009_zpsc22cb836.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0009_zpsc22cb836.jpg.html)

It is not pretty but it keeps it together.

[Roundgunner]

The #4 buck and .60 ball with 00 buck is set up the same with the 00 buck on top.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0011_zps43a35f33.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0011_zps43a35f33.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0013_zps1922532b.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0013_zps1922532b.jpg.html)

Nothing special needed for crimp.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0015_zps0d7371c2.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0015_zps0d7371c2.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0014_zpsd5cc674b.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0014_zpsd5cc674b.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0016_zpsfc7995fc.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0016_zpsfc7995fc.jpg.html)

[Roundgunner]

You will have to use your imagination a little to see how the .690 ball is loaded because I loaded them all up the other day, I need to cast some more. The photo below is with a .60 ball for photo purposes only.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0017_zps1cece596.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0017_zps1cece596.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0018_zps87c435f8.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0018_zps87c435f8.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0019_zps75b57061.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0019_zps75b57061.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/DSC_0020_zps40815b2e.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/DSC_0020_zps40815b2e.jpg.html)

Please keep in mind my buckshot and ball is lighter than pure lead! It is appx the same as wheel weights.

[acguy45]

Thank you very much for the highly informative post I will have to try these out when I get back from school. did you use the same powder charge for the .690 roundball load as the buck and ball load?

[Rattlesnake Charlie]

Better luck than I had with the Centurion buck-n-ball loads. The ball shot a foot higher than the buckshot pattern at 15 yds. I wrote it off as a worthless defense load.

[Hogtamer]

looks like you need to adjust your crimp starter and it may clean up the final crimp but pretty is as pretty does and they shoot real pretty. those hulls look like they been loaded a few times too!

[jmort]

Based on this, I would not use the #4 and use larger buckshot with the .60 ball. The 00 buck and the .60 ball really patterned nicely.

[jimmyUT]

Any thoughts on a 600 round ball and just 00?
I have a 600 round ball mold and a .319 round ball ( close to 00 but not exact) mold on the way and way hoping I could come up with a load using those 2

[jmort]

"Any thoughts on a 600 round ball and just 00?"

That is what I would try/use depending how it patterned with your gun.

[jimmyUT]

"Any thoughts on a 600 round ball and just 00?"

That is what I would try/use depending how it patterned with your gun.

What order would you load them in?

[jmort]

.319 is basically 0 buckshot. Like the O/P. Except I would try to get an even layer of 3 and if not 2 and then 2 and then .60 and then 3 or 2 and 2 depending on how they lay in the shot-cup. I would go for flat layers over uneven layers. I'm thinking that will work real good. 0 buckshot will be one of the next molds I add. 00 buckshot does not stack well in shot-cups.

[Roundgunner]

Thank you very much for the highly informative post I will have to try these out when I get back from school. did you use the same powder charge for the .690 roundball load as the buck and ball load?

Yes all these were done with 22 gr of Greendot. Again please note my shot is lighter!!!

[Roundgunner]

I will try some buck and ball with .60 ball and 00 buck soon. I need to get some done with the 20 ga first. #4 buck and 45 cast slugs.

[jimmyUT]

I would love to experiment with greendot but looks like ill have to use another. Can't find it anywhere. I have some hs6, 800x, and international until I get lucky and score some other powders.

[Roundgunner]

I was able to get a 8 pound keg to use for 45s. I never used it before but I have found it works well for a lot of stuff.

[Hogtamer]

Roundgunner, your harder shot probably in some measure accounts for your good patterns too. One would expect considerable distortion, thus blown patterns with soft lead buckshot in that configuration.

[dverna]

Hogtamer is right. If I have to use straight linotype to get results like that it is still cost effective.

Good job man,

Don Verna

[acguy45]

I would love to experiment with greendot but looks like ill have to use another. Can't find it anywhere. I have some hs6, 800x, and international until I get lucky and score some other powders.

I'm in a similar situation all I have on hand for powder is promo, unique, bluedot and bullseye. I'm a fan of Aliant powders if you can tell. working a load for .690 shouldn't be to hard with the powders I have on hand but the buck and ball might have to hold off until I can get some green dot.

[bikerbeans]

acguy45,

I have been casting the LEE .690 RB with ACWW, 470g, and loading them over 25g of Unique. This load is not hot, least not compared to some of the slugs I shoot. I would rather work with Blue Dot but I have to reduce the powder too much to roll crimp the 2 3/4 Win AA hull. I have a bunch of these to test as soon as the weather breaks.

BB

[acguy45]

acguy45,

I have been casting the LEE .690 RB with ACWW, 470g, and loading them over 25g of Unique. This load is not hot, least not compared to some of the slugs I shoot. I would rather work with Blue Dot but I have to reduce the powder too much to roll crimp the 2 3/4 Win AA hull. I have a bunch of these to test as soon as the weather breaks.
BB


thank you for that information its good to have other options available. I don't recall what my .690's weigh off the top of my head but I should be good if I adjust the powder charge to overall weight. Also are you using the same wad setup for your roundball load as the op or is yours different?

[bikerbeans]

I have loaded 3 different wads to test. I will post on them as soon as I get to shoot them, I don't remember off the top of my head which wads I used, but all have 20ga 1/8" nitro cards under the RB to adjust the ball height to get a good roll crimp.


BB

[Roundgunner]

Has anyone else tried these yet. I would like to find out how they work for other. They did work well in a friends mossy auto.

[FullTang]

Haven't had a chance to try these exact loads, because I have the Lee .562 RB double mold; I have made a lot of different B&B loads with these, and they are fantastic. My technique sounds just like yours, RG. The smaller buckshot does a really nice job of centering the roundball, whether it's on top or under the larger ball (or both). I also cast my own buckshot from harder recycled lead, and save the softer stuff for blackpowder bullets and slugs. Favorite load #1 (light and fast): 1 X .56 RB + 3 X 1 Buck (just over 7/8 oz) in a PT1215 wad, 24 gn Alliant e3, Fiocchi hull and primer---1500 fps!!! These sound like you're firing rifles rounds---great sharp crack and surprising kick for such a light load. Favorite load #2 (heavy): PT1220 wad, 3 X 1 Buck on bottom layer, 1 X .56 RB center layer, 4 X 1 Buck top layer (outside the cup, so it fits great), 22 gn Green Dot, Fiocchi or Rio hull, Fio or NobelSport primer (all work well, Rio hull is a little roomier.) Total weight is just a hair over 1-1/4 oz; velocity should be about 1230 fps. Plenty of kick, nice deep boom, and the target is totally shredded. In either case, the big ball hits nicely in the center of the pattern nearly every time.

I've also come up with a double ball B&B load, based on a published load from the BPI manual: 2 X .56 RB with 5 X 3Buck in between, in MG42 wad (Gualandi Super G---get some of these, they are great!); this is just shy of 1.5 oz as cast, including some buffer to keep everything packed in tight. The recipe calls for a Federal high-brass hull, but I use a new Cheddite primed hull (BPI "Multihull"), since I have these on hand, and these loads are too long for a fold crimp, so you need a new hull or a 3" roll-crimped once-fired to roll crimp. Recipe calls for 36 gn of Alliant Steel powder for 1400 fps, but since I'm making some changes I drop down to 34 gn, and that's plenty stout for me! Massive round---probably the ultimate home defense round, though your hearing would never be the same if you touched one of these off indoors!

[FullTang]

Also wanted to add that there is a difference in the spread depending on how the smaller pellets are loaded (figured this out by using 2 different sizes of buckshot in the loads.) Pellets on top of the round ball will spread more, pellets loaded under the RB will spread much less (I think this is because they set back into the shot cup, and may even stick a little.) So you can play around with the patterns this way. If you want a PDX-style quick-opening pattern, load the buckshot on top of the RB. If you want tight, long-range patterns, load the buck under the ball.

[Roundgunner]

Thanks for the info, I hadn't thought about the difference in stacking order, I will play around with this.
Thanks again
Warren
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/487484_476589082410722_2126220909_n_zps507692c5.jp g (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/487484_476589082410722_2126220909_n_zps507692c5.jp g.html)

[LouisianaMan]

Good work, RG! Now how do we get Remington to make them and pay you royalties? I don't reload for shotgun and so I settle for sto' bought buckshot and slugs in my 20 gauge. Would like to have a buck-and-ball solution. It was a popular load for Civil War soldiers armed with smoothbores, for exactly the reasons you've demonstrated.

[savage308]

I have tried loads similar to yours and found that the .600rb needs to be on top of the smaller oo buckshot or the pattern really
spreads out fast. I believe the larger mass of the .600rb holds its F.P.S. longer than the smaller buckshot and if it comes out behind it will just bust right through.

[hubel458]

A good buck and ball load is our 4 bore, with 3 45cal lead balls, 145gr each,
as large buckshot on the bottom and an 800 gr ball on top of them.
Glue a card over the top in the brass case.Ed

[FullTang]

A good buck and ball load is our 4 bore, with 3 45cal lead balls, 145gr each,
as large buckshot on the bottom and an 800 gr ball on top of them.
Glue a card over the top in the brass case.Ed
Is that fired from the shoulder, or a fixed gun emplacement?!?

[hubel458]

From the shoulder- Gun is heavy and thumbhole stock
and real thick pad. We shoot 1500 gr slugs in it real fast
so the buck and ball load is tame in comparison..Ed

[Roundgunner]

I couldn't get any buck and ball loads to work with the 20 ga. I did get some nice patterns from the buckshot.

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/20ga%202%20buck_zps9hrtxh5w.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/20ga%202%20buck_zps9hrtxh5w.jpg.html)
http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y97/roundgunner/20ga%204%20buck_zpsgkisjqre.jpg (http://s3.photobucket.com/user/roundgunner/media/20ga%204%20buck_zpsgkisjqre.jpg.html)


The buck loads did as good as I need, low recoil for the wife and daughter but kept almost all the lead on target at 25 yards. Should take care of anything that would give them trouble around here.

[Roundgunner]

Bringing this back to life for a friend

[Markopolo]

I would love to see it, but all your pix have been eaten by photobucket... you will have to re-upload them to postimage.org...

[copdills]

going to have to try some of these b&b loads never tried this before thanks for the information