tri-ball load for 2 3/4?

[mike_kaleigh]

I only can load 2 3/4 shells, has anyone figured out maybe a smaller ball in a thick steel wad of some kind? Maybe 3-50cal balls. all i see on here are 3" tri-ball loads. Any ideas?

[HiVelocity]

James Gates (Dixie Slugs) is the master of the tri-ball. If I remember correctly, he tried the recipe in a 2 3/4" hull, but could not obtain good results, hence the 3" load. I'm not sure you can find the right combination, even a (safe) fast enough powder to get the load moving. Others will chime in, I'm sure. Just my .02 worth.

HV

[jmort]

Fit wise, I think two .60"s would be a better fit and still retain freight train status.

[Loudenboomer]

I think the old Buck and Ball load in the cly. bore 12 was a paper over powder card, felt wad, .72 cal. ball, 3- #1 Buck balls on top and another card.

[cpileri]

something like these maybe:

http://www.siarm.com/product_info.php?cPath=2_20_164_60&products_id=2038&osCsid=1c7kjptif6sgt5gb1q0qh664k2

[RMc]

I only can load 2 3/4 shells, ...

If your press is limited to 2 3/4" loads, consider that Tri-Ball loads do not require a dedicated loader. Tri-Ball loads only require a method of measuring the powder charge, the buffer and roll-crimping.

[Geezer in NH]

Gauge?????

[jmort]

RMc would know better that me, but I believe James Gates found the 2.75" shells were sub-optimal for Tri-Ball loads. The recommended wad is a 3" Precision TUPRW123
https://www.precisionreloading.com/cart.php#!l=TUPR&i=W123

I am am thinking a 20 gauge card or two with two .60" balls in this would work along with following the directions set out for the Tri-Ball.
http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Multi-Metal-12ga-2-3_4-preslit-wad-100_bag/productinfo/3221275/

That is a 650 grain payload, and would smoke most anything on earth.

[RMc]

Considering three .60" hard cast balls take up 1.80" of payload space, the Triball 12gauge load will not even fit in a 3" fold crimped case. A 3" tri-ball 12 gauge load requires a roll crimp.

[mike_kaleigh]

ok, sounds like i just need to get a roll crimper and go for it, thanks

[hubel458]

Much easier to go with 2 balls, in our work, and the extra speed
possible we get more energy with 2 balls, and easier on cases
and wadcups. 3 balls at 1200 if one is a flyer that most guys
have, is not as good as 2 balls at 1500 that hit close
to each other.ED

[Hogtamer]

Hey Ed, good to see you posting. I've got your sabots working great now. Discovered that the overall length of that big lyman Minie was the key. Removing .03" from the base for OAL of .935 is the sweet spot. Dang near one hole group @ 50 yds, 3" @ 100 from bench. And check out Leadhead 500's load in his thread about the .735 RBs. You might make a suggestion about that 585 grn ball and Steel powder as I just told him you are de man!

[RMc]

Just a note: If you are loading the 3" Tri-Ball and getting patterns with a "flyer" pellet, you are probably running too tight a choke.

[jmort]

That is good to know as I believe you like full choke for buckshot

[Loudenboomer]

In a rifled barrel. What about using 3 wad cutter style boolits in stead of round balls for more space. Much like the loads we've seen in longer pistol cases.

[jmort]

Problem is when the odd shaped projectiles bunch up in a bad way. Very bad for the barrel. I would not go there.

[Loudenboomer]

Bunching up should not be a problem with proper boolit (slug) design. Each wad cutter nose has a small button that fits into the small hollow base of the boolit in front of it. This supposedly keeps the boolits stable until they exit the barrel. As stated by the above gents with a lot of slug expirence. I'd go with 2 balls and save the headache :)

[savage308]

I load 3" fiochhi brown hulls from BPI but if I go over 27gr the soft steel in the hulls I have flow into the ejector area of my 870 so I had to back down to 26.5 gr and I can now fold crimp them and the shoot great. the key for me was finding the right choke to get a good pattern. the bet pattern so far is out of an over/under with mod chokes. I believe in my guns with my blue dot I would have to use a federal hull to use 29gr as the original recipe calls for.