Want to load buckshot

[Rusty Shackleford]

I am looking for some advice on loading buckshot. I have an old Lyman manual, but it is lacking in details and shows mostly Alcan wads.

My empties are red AA's. 2 3/4" 12ga.

What dia. mold do I need to make 00 pellets?

1200-1300fps range.

[EMC45]

I just posted some data I used from Hogdon in my thread titled "Molds". Check it out.

[klcarroll]

I load 00Buck in Winchester AA and HS hulls for my Saiga 12 Gauge. The configuration I have settled on is:

Win AA hull
24 grains Unique
CCI 209 primer
WAA12 wad with petals removed
Two (2) - .125 Nitro Card wads under pellets
Nine (9) 00Buck pellets in three layers
0ne (1) .030 Overshot Card
Eight point fold crimp

...An alternative load would be:

Win AA or HS hull
24 grains Unique
CCI 209 primer
One (1) BPGS Ballistic Products Gas Seal
One (1) .500 Hard Waxed Fiber Wad
Nine (9) 00Buck pellets in three layers
One (1) .030 Overshot Card
Eight point crimp (.....A roll crimp can be used here, but I suggest using TWO .030 Overshot Cards: .....And DO NOT "lean into" the roll crimp too hard!!! ...If the balls begin to raise "bumps" on the O.D. of the hull, you may experience chambering problems. )

The use of Unique is probably non-typical for a buck load, ....but my Saiga has an 18" tube, and I wanted a load that would "get-er-done" in 18 inches, WITHOUT an excessive level of "pyrotechnics".

This is also NOT a max velocity hunting load intended for the humane dispatch of "Whitetail Sized Game" at 100 yards: ....It is intended for "Serious Social Shooting" in the zero to 50 yard range, with a reduced recoil level that allows for a fast 2nd and 3rd shot. Consequently, the muzzle velocity is in the 1200 fps range.

.......And BTW: ....I use the "Skiesunlimited" 00 Buckshot mold, .....which drops a .330 diameter ball.


Kent

[USSR]

What dia. mold do I need to make 00 pellets?

1200-1300fps range.

I cast 0 buckshot pellets (.319") using a Lee mould ( less than $20). My load is as follows:

Rem. Gun Club (unibody) hulls
Figure 8 wad with petals left on
W209 primer
28gr Unique powder
9 single aught pellets (slightly less than 1 oz.)

Don't know what the velocity is, but it's quite mild.

Don

[DLCTEX]

I use a Lee .311 round ball mold and use nine in my 12 ga.

[Rusty Shackleford]

My press is set up to throw 19gr. of Red Dot and 1 1/8 oz of shot. Is it safe to substitute buckshot as long as I keep the payload the same? I am just trying to keep things simple as possible.

[Storydude]

WEight is what matters, not type of shot.

Add a buffer and all bets are off.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I found this on Hodgdon web site.
00 buck #9
W209 primer
Yellow WAA12F114 wad
30 gr HS-6 1250fps
31 gr HS-6 1300fps
Great news for me. I have those wads and powder, used them to load LEE 12 ga slugs.

Still one variable, LEE does not sell a .330 round ball mold. I ordered a .319 from them this A.M.
Do you guys think it will make any difference?

[klcarroll]

Well, ....A .319" ball is essentially a 0Buck pellet; ...and it should have a nominal weight of 49 grains.

Your data is for 00Buck, which are .330" diameter balls, with a nominal weight of 53.8 grains.

If you substitute the .319" ball for true 00Buck, your load will be more than 1/8th ounce light. That will lower pressures, which is not a problem unless your powder needs a certain minimum pressure for a "clean" burn.

Also remember that the actual weight of the ball you are casting will vary with the alloy you are using: ......So always check them on a scale to make sure you are loading what you think you are!


.....And BTW; .......You will go insane casting buckshot in a single cavity mold!! I use the 20 cavity mold by "Skiesunlimited", and it makes quick work of the job!!!

http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q84/klcarroll/themold.jpg

He sells these molds on Ebay for $34.95.

Kent

[Rusty Shackleford]

Kent,
Thanks for the going insane warning, but I have been nuts for years. I will only have to fill that LEE mold 4 1/2 times to charge a round. It is one of those fancy double cavity models.

After I figure out all this buckshot voodoo, I'll have to get me one of those sinker molds. They really do look like the way to go.

Thanks for all the help.
Rusty

[DLCTEX]

I like the Lee molds for the smooth sprue cut it does. Other round ball molds I have leave a bump at the sprue.

[klcarroll]

I like the Lee molds for the smooth sprue cut it does. Other round ball molds I have leave a bump at the sprue.

@Dale;

You are, of course, right! ......But I have found a simple solution.

I take ten or fifteen pounds of my cast buckshot, complete with the nasty sprues my "twist-off" method of separation leaves; ....and tumble them for a couple of hours. (No media)

They come out looking like commercial buckshot.:drinks:

Kent

[USSR]

FWIW, while the Lee .319" mould was advertised by MidSouth Shooters Supply as a single cavity mould, I was pleasantly surprised to find that it is actually a double cavity mould.

Don

[RugerFan]

I like the Lee molds for the smooth sprue cut it does. Other round ball molds I have leave a bump at the sprue.

Very true. Lee definitely did the sprue cutoff right.

[RP]

I have the sharpshooter mould use a WWs or harder lead and run it hot. Open mould drop shot on a angled metal ramp roll them around alittle with my welding glove breaks the spruce off fairly well shot rolls away. Some i trim up with cutting pliers then roll them in my cement mixer with some grafite. NOTE cement mixer is clean if not shot will pick up grit.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I got tired of waiting on Lee to make me a mold, and ordered a Sharpshooter USA mold on Sunday and mailman brought it today. I got 7-8 lbs. of shot in the tumbler right now.

[copdills]

Cool Rusty, keep us informed , and how did the sharpshooer USA mold work for ya

Thanks copdills

[Rusty Shackleford]

copdills,
Worked good. Got too hot out in the garage, not a big fan of sweating over the lead pot. I cast enough up to load a few.

[Baryngyl]

I like the Lee molds for the smooth sprue cut it does. Other round ball molds I have leave a bump at the sprue.
I could swear I got a .330 mould from LEE, but not being where I can check my mould I can not say for sure now.

The mould I have cut the sprue of and leaves a flat spot that I think is larger then needed.

[masscaster]

Just cast around 1000 .319 last night, and will ship them in the continental U.S.
You can PM me rusty if you wanna try some of this size. I usually get $2.50 per 100 at a Gunshow/walk-ins, but would cheap them down for ya due to postage, and experimental reasons, ; ).
Yes, that's still only $25.00 per 1000. : )
Jeff @ Forefather's Casting

[Rusty Shackleford]

Just cast around 1000 .319 last night, and will ship them in the continental U.S.
You can PM me rusty if you wanna try some of this size. I usually get $2.50 per 100 at a Gunshow/walk-ins, but would cheap them down for ya due to postage, and experimental reasons, ; ).
Yes, that's still only $25.00 per 1000. : )
Jeff @ Forefather's Casting

I got credit card bill today for my Lee .319 mold, so hopefully it is soon to follow. Thanks for the offer though.

[Rusty Shackleford]

I loaded a few up this morning.
2.75" 12ga
AA hulls
30.5 gr HS-6
WAA12F114 wads
(9) OO pellets (cast from Sharpshooter USA mold)

Wasn't a problem stacking the shot, and crimp was perfect. Shot out of 18.5" cylinder bore. Pattern opened up close to a foot at 50' but under 30' all hits were on a paper plate. GREAT FUN!!!! Thanks fellas for your input.[smilie=w: