Another buckshot question…

Hey folks. This may be a “dumb question”, but I’ll ask anyway.

I have AA12, AA12R, and HCD-18 wads. Looking at load data, I see 9 pellet, 10 pellet, 12 pellet…but I can only get 8 to fit inside of any of those wads.

Is it normal and/or ok for buckshot to sit over the top of the petals? In the picture, there is an AA12R with 8 pellets and an HCD-18 with 10 pellets.

The pellets are .323 diameter “00” from pulled down Federal Premium rounds.

I was under the impression that the purpose (or rather, one of the purposes) of the wad is to hold the shot, but I don’t see how to fit that number of pellets inside the wad without some being over the top of the petals.

The load data that I’m referencing from BPI is using a Cheddite hull and primer, with the HCD-18 wad, 10 pellets of .33 “00” buck, and Longshot powder.

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Personally, I cut the petals off then drop the balls directly into the shell after seating the wad cup. You can add a Mylar wrap if leading becomes an issue.

You need to get the .311 mold. Three balls fit down into the bottom of a wad. Rotate 120° for the next layer, and lay three more in, same thing for the third layer. Nine balls of .311 cast is about 7/8 of an ounce.

http://pdf.textfiles.com/manuals/FIR..._reloading.pdf
Page 35. Great loads out of full choke.

I'm with la5676, double ought gave me nothing but headaches. But .300 or .310 loads easy and self stacks.

My father in law who was an old reloader of everything from way back thought my #1 buckshot loads were factory rounds repacked into a plain white box.

Some of my tightest patterns come from loading 8 pellets of 00, much better than 9 pellets. Too it seems to like full choke, easy to get killer patterns at 35 yards

Quote:

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Originally Posted by la5676

You need to get the .311 mold. Three balls fit down into the bottom of a wad. Rotate 120° for the next layer, and lay three more in, same thing for the third layer. Nine balls of .311 cast is about 7/8 of an ounce.

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Well as luck would have it, somebody in S&S just happened to be selling a .311 mold- so I grabbed it just now. Thanks for the recommendation!



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yeah ditch the petals....it will allow the balls to sit flat in rows of 3.... even using the slightly smaller buckshot it will sit flatter and ease out of choke better....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Some of my tightest patterns come from loading 8 pellets of 00, much better than 9 pellets. Too it seems to like full choke, easy to get killer patterns at 35 yards

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Flite control wads they sit 1 bottom center then 2 2 2 2

I use a remington SP12 I think, might be an RP12 wad. One of Ballistic products x12 gas seal under it and a fiochi hull.

Well I cut the petals off of a AA12R wad for a check fit, and those .323 diameter pellets sure stack nicely in 3’s inside of a blue Peters hull. My cast .350’s fit better as well, stacked in 2’s.

Thanks for the tips folks!


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You can, but it will more than likely result in fliers. If I use a shotcup, I don’t like my pellets sticking more than a 1/4 length out beyond the petals.

One of my tightest load don’t even use a wad, but mylar and buffer. Killed a doe a few years ago at 56 yards.

My favorite size for hunting is #1 buck.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by la5676

You need to get the .311 mold. Three balls fit down into the bottom of a wad. Rotate 120° for the next layer, and lay three more in, same thing for the third layer. Nine balls of .311 cast is about 7/8 of an ounce.

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Here's your answer. Been loading .311 RB(Lee 2cavity) for many years. Kinda slow casting 2 at a time but it turns out good.