Need advise on roundball load, 20 gauge Lee Loader

[Charlie Horse]

I came into possession of a 20 gauge Lee Loader. The hammer kind. I'd like to make some round ball loads to shoot out of my RIA single shot, cylinder bore shotgun.

I know next to nothing about loading shot shells, although I've loaded metallic for about 45 years. I load 410 shot shells with a Lee Loader.

My head spins when people mention wads and such. (My 410 loader came with a lifetime supply of wads.)

How do I put together a round ball load for my single shot with the Lee Loader?

The RIA shotgun is a smoothbore and it shoots OTC Winchester slugs pretty darn good but I want to make my own.

Thanks in advance.

[JD45]

It's good to have a manual like one from Lyman. Study the instructions and learn a lot even if you never get a press.

Lee basically provided a data sheet with different charge weights of shot. A lot of those old powders are gone.

The main thing you must do is be sure your round ball, or buckshot payload, weighs less than the shot data you pick. If you use data for 7/8oz. load, and your ball is the same or a hair less, it should be safe.

Once you learn more about shotshell loading in general, you will learn what is safe. You can't substitute much in shotgun shells.
But a 1 ounce payload is the same whether its a ball, buck or shot. Your wad can move pressures 2,000psi if you change it sometimes. That's why Lee lists low pressure data, and you must do the same if you go changing things.

If you choose not to read and learn something new, it would be better to stick with factory loads.

And P.S. to every beginner: get a printed manual first. You can get dangerous info online sometimes.

[Charlie Horse]

I will get a book. My club has a collection.