Buckshot load ?

[nonferrous]

I have loaded a lot of 12 ga shot shells, but never any buck shot. Could you use a 1 1/4 or 1 3/8 oz load workup out of the book and just substitute the same weight of buckshot?
I am asking the question but I have a feeling that it's probably not that easy. This would be a "2 3/4 AA hull with WW wads, probably red.
Thanks

[klcarroll]

Well, ……It’s not quite that simple; ……There are a couple of considerations that you have to fiddle with.

The first issue is “pellet nesting”: …..You want to have your pellets “nesting” in nice, even layers of three. (..Until you get to the smaller sizes like #4; ….which you just pour in.)

The problem is that there isn’t enough room inside your typical 12 Ga. shotcup for three 00Buck (.330”) pellets to sit in an even layer. You may find yourself using single “0” buck if you want to use a conventional one piece wad.

If your goal is a 00Buck load, ….the alternative is to gain room by cutting the petals off the wad assembly. …..If you take this route, you will want to insert a couple of .125” nitro card wads on top of your modified wad. Without the aligning influence of the now missing petals, the “floor” of the shotcup would tend to “cock”; …..The additional wads prevent this.

The next issue is getting a wad/shot column height that is correct for the type of crimp you are planning on using. You can get some REALLY ugly fold crimps if this height is too far off. This height can be adjusted by your initial wad choice, and the number of “nitro cards” you have under the pellets. (If you are using an un-modified shotcup, you can adjust the column height by adding 20 Ga. felt “filler wads” inside the shotcup, and underneath your pellets.)

Personally, I prefer a Roll Crimp for my buckshot loads; …As this type of crimp allows you to “roll” to any overall length your load actually requires.

……And finally, make sure you do the math!! 00Buck pellets will weigh between 50 and 54 grains apiece, depending on the alloy they are cast from.

Sooo………., a nine pellet load cast from linotype alloy will weigh 450 grains. That’s just a tiny shade over an ounce: …..So pick your load accordingly!


Kent

[nonferrous]

Thanks,
Lee has a .311 roundball mold that would be about half way between a single '0' and a #1. It looks like that would work with 3 rows of 3 in a one piece wad. They have a .319, but thats only a single cavity mold.
I would really like to stay with the 8 point crimp to keep it simple and I would only need to build a few dozen rounds, just to have around.
I could buy 5 pounds of shot, but that would pay for the mold and I guess thats not the reason we are here.
Thanks again, Len

[klcarroll]

Hey Len!

Glad to help!

Buckshot is fun (...and addictive) to shoot! if you live somewhere where "bunny rolling" or "smacking" groundhogs is in style, there's no better sport!

I bought one of "skiesunlimited's" 00Buck molds on Ebay, .....and I have been delighted with it! It drops 20 balls at a time, and is well made. He also makes it in single "0" and #4 buck sizes. For $34.95, ....it's a real good deal!

I cast my 00Buck out of linotype, ...and I have found that I don't have to go for "MAX" loads to get ALL the penetration I want! (The load plays absolute Hell with old car bodies!!)

Kent

[Pepe Ray]

Hey there Kent;
I don't do E=bay. Is there some other way to access this "Skies unlimited" outfit?
( I apologize for the deliberate "hijack")
Pepe Ray

[klcarroll]

Hey there Kent;
I don't do E=bay. Is there some other way to access this "Skies unlimited" outfit?
( I apologize for the deliberate "hijack")
Pepe Ray



Hmmmm........

I think his primary "gig" is Ebay; ......Although he has signed on here occasionally.

Do a "search" for "skiesunlimited", ....and you might be able to get him to responde to an email.

....As I said before, ...I have been very happy with his mould.

I just "twist" the balls off the sprue, and tumble them for 45 - 60 minutes, ....and they look like factory buckshot!

Kent

[nonferrous]

Kent,
Just to recap.
Once the shot size, wad and row pattern is established, I then assume that I can weigh the lead that will be going into the round and use any recipe from the manual that applies to that load?
.311 X 9 would be a little less than 1 ounce so single 0 would be a better load at about 1 1/8 oz.
Thanks again

[klcarroll]

...........Once the shot size, wad and row pattern is established, I then assume that I can weigh the lead that will be going into the round and use any recipe from the manual that applies to that load?........


That is essentially what I do!

....All I would suggest would be to reduce your first loads in any particular configuration by at least 5%: .......Just to be safe!!

As you have probably noticed, buckshot data is not real plentiful, ....and shotguns will not show you the typical "pressure signs" that a metallic cartridge will!

....But when you come right down to it, buckshot is nothing more than big shot pellets!!! ....And if anything, a nine pellet buckshot load will exert LESS "bore friction" due to inertial loading than a load of #6s!!!

I load hundreds of rounds of "Tactical Level" 00Buck for my 12 Ga. and .410 Saigas; ....And the only problems I have encountered have been a few FTEs with the .410. I am a conservative reloader: .....And if I err, it is on the side of "too soft"!


Kent

[diehard]

Great thread. I learn so much here.

I just got a skiesunlimited mold from GunBroker (I quit fleabay too, arrogant SOBs). There currently are at least three other molds on auction GunBroker: one 00, one 000, and one #4.

BTW....I have Sapp's Reloading for Shotgunners, and it contains 14 pages of lead buckshot recipes for the 12 gauge. Half are listed by weight (ie. 1 3/8 oz load) and the other half by shot size. Everything klcarrol has figured out on his own can be verified there...cool!

One more thing to mix up the works. I remember (I think I do anyway) reading somewhere James Gates explaining that really effective buckshot patterns in a shotcup come from stacking the shot in rows of two, instead of in threes, and filling the voids with good buffer. I hope I got that right, but I'm pretty sure I bookmarked that advice, so I could find it if I had to. Either way, its something worth trying if your patterns don't meet your satisfaction.

happy shooting!

[jsizemore]

The various buckshot molds for sell on www.gunbroker.com are from skiesunlimited.

[USSR]

Lee has a .311 roundball mold that would be about half way between a single '0' and a #1. It looks like that would work with 3 rows of 3 in a one piece wad. They have a .319, but thats only a single cavity mold.


I ordered the Lee .319 single cavity mould. Guess what? Typo - it's a double cavity mould! The .319 balls just fit into an unaltered shotcup. Works fine.

Don

[nonferrous]

Don,
That makes sense, a single cavity mold in .319 would really be underkill. I just placed an order a few hours ago, If Ida known that, it could have been on this shipment.
It will just have to ride along with the next batch of stuff.
Thanks, Len

[nonferrous]

USSR,
Are you going to keep us updated as to how the .319 load works out? Like to know how many rows fit and what you use for buffer. It almost looks like 4 rows might fit.
Thanks

[IllinoisCoyoteHunter]

I use Do-It Slingshot mold to cast my buckshot. It drops 2 sizes depending on which side of the mold you use. I mainly use the .30 caliber pellets (actually a little over .30) it drops and they come out right at 45 grains ea. . I use AA hulls with waa12r wads and they stack 3x4 prefectly...even with a little room for an overshot card to get a real nice fold crimp. I usually peel nitro cards to use as an overshot card cuz I am cheap and it works great. I use load data for 1 1/4 oz loads and these babies patern TIGHT! As stated above, better groupings tend to come when the pellets have more contact with eachother. I push this load to 1200 fps... and out of my featherweight it is a kicker!

[358wcf]

Gentlemen!
I've frequented the website of Ballistic Products, Inc (shotgun specialists!) for several years. They post unusual loads each month in their "Load of the Month" column which are quite interesting- they even publish an entire manual devoted to buckshot loads, theory, and practice. Good stuff-
Turns out one load they published last year almost duplicated one I worked up back in 02- they call it Camp Security--- I call it pure, unadulterated FUN!!!
We're taking a basic 28 guage WW AA hull, and the basic WW AA 28 gauge wad.
We carefully insert 10 each #4 buckshot pellets, stacking carefully in rows of two.
Lots of air space remains- so- rather than add filler, I add shot!!! Weigh your 10 #4 pellets, and subtract that weight from the standard 3/4 oz load (for the 28ga) and carefully pour in that weight of small shot, #6,7 1/2, or 8, as you desire.
Settle the small shot in by tapping the shell on the bench lightly, add an overshot card wad, and crimp as normal.
You now have a spectacular loading sure to bring smiles to everyone who tries it.
The buckshot flies a tight pattern, assuring multiple strikes, and the birdshot fills in the gaps in the buck pattern.
I used this load with great success on rabbits and possums in New Zealand-- what fun, and what great range you have with the buckshot pellets!
Give it a try, and you'll like it.
I plan to develop a similar load for 12 soon.

358wcf

[DLCTEX]

I use a .311 mold (Lee) to cast buckshot and follow Lymans load recipe for buckshot loads. 9 stack in a wad nicely and fold crimp. I have buffered the loads and settle the buffer by touching the base of the shell against the bolt on my vibratory tumbler. Flour will work, but needs to be kept dry. The ground poly is better. I suspect that the presure of firing would powder the flour, but who knows. These have produced very tight patterns through a modified choke. ACWW or 50/50 produces some hard shot.

[lead Foot]

I to have a .310 Lee mould double. I use Range lead and it drops at .314. Instead of 9 balls I use 12. I cut the petals of a 1-1/4 oz Winchester wad with no buffer. Stacks perfect 4x3 and it crimps perfect.
Lead foot;:drinks:

[USSR]

USSR,
Are you going to keep us updated as to how the .319 load works out? Like to know how many rows fit and what you use for buffer. It almost looks like 4 rows might fit.
Thanks

I'm loading three rows of 3 with no buffer in a Remington Figure 8 wad with the petals on. The 9 balls cast of WW with just a "touch" of tin added weight just shy of 1 oz. 4 rows will not fit.

Don

[nonferrous]

I really like the idea of leaving the petals on the wad for a few reasons. Also, I have to wonder what kind of jolt using # 8's for buffer in a 12 Ga would give, what a great Idea. I guess the only way to find out, is to fill one up and weigh it.

[Heavy lead]

been doing this for years, number 8's or 9's depending what I have in the house, fun to play with, I use the Lee .311 for my buckshot mould, I use the same Longshot load I use for my 1 1/8 ounce #5 pheasant loads with Remington Premier hulls (gold color indicates buckshot loads, regular green gets used for the hunting loads). They don't weigh up quite to 1 1/8, and seems safe.

[Rusty Shackleford]

My OO buckshot load: AA hulls
30.5gr HS 6
WAA12F114 wad (pedals on)
9 OO pellets (cast from Sharpshooter USA mold)

Crimp looks factory. Found data at Hodgdon's site. I had wads and powder on hand. Big +
Stacked three rows of three, was tight but I didn't have to force them into position.
Advertised velocity 1250fps.

[nonferrous]

What a defense load that would be, using #8's for buffer. I am putting together a boat gun with an extra 870 receiver I have around and an 18.5 inch marine barrel. I picked up a police take off stock for 10.00 and I think I will just cut it back to the pistol grip and give it a whirl.
It will probably be a handfull, but probably not much worse than a .44 mag. If nothing else, it will be fun to show off.

[nonferrous]

What diameter do the 00 drop out of the sharpshooter mold.
Thanks, Len

[Rusty Shackleford]

What diameter do the 00 drop out of the sharpshooter mold.
Thanks, Len

Right at .330 cast from 50-50 lead and ww's.

[masscaster]

I cast .319 RB's nonferrous. These are in between 00 & 000 Buck. They weigh in at appx 49 grs.
Got a bunch on hand. We get $3.50 per 100, or 500 for $17.00 shipped USPS $5.00 Small Flat Rate Box. These are cast Pb 93.50% /6.50% Tn.
PM me for details.
Jeff @ Forefather's Casting

[nonferrous]

Masscaster,
I did want to mold them, but the reality is that I probably only need a small quantity.
Let me think about and I will let you know if that works for me.
Thanks

[Rando]

Thanks for the skiesunlimited tip, I just ordered a 00 mold. Looking forward to making my own...

[ted60]

did anyone receive load data from Lee with the .311 ball mold?I keeping low with 30 grs hs-6
and waa12r wad 12 pellts AAhs hull W209 primer. I saw this old post in search for loads,
yes it all leads back here? any more info on .311 buckl?

[steg]

I started out with a LEE .311 double mold, worked great but took forever to cast a bunch of balls, then I got in touch with Rick at skiesunlimited and to make a long story short I found he would rather deal directly with the customers, and avoid e-bay, in fact he lowered the price some because I was dealing direct with him. Once you figure out the mold ( I extended the wooden handles) you will be dropping 20 balls in one cast=two shells+ rather than nine casts for two shells, over the years I have purchased a few molds from Rick, never been disapointed, and he's a great Guy to do business with.
using a nine ball load I'm using 22 grs of unique, works well for me...........................steg

[ted60]

thanks, I don't want to buy another mold. I listed wrong wad, my load AA/HS hull W209 primer
30 grs HS-6 with 12 .311 balls and a copy of WAA12F114 with petals cut off, THIS load crimps out perfect,seems to be a copy of Hodgdon sites 1 1/4 oz load for shot, so I figure 12 balls weigh less than a load of no. 6 shot, seems safe is it? any help? thanks for info on mold.