Lee Slug Reduced Load Question

[Daryl]

I've got the 7/8 oz and 1 oz Lee slug molds.

I've searched the forums on my question but to no avail.

I use the Remington STS hulls with HS6 power. The Lee instruction manual specifies a wad that I got plus 38 grains HS6. I did not want to load so heavy and thought that a 10% reduction was safe so I loaded it at 34 grains with the 7/8 oz.

I'm using a Maverick with an 18" barrel and that thing really kicks with this load.

I've not found anything different on the powder manufacturers load data. The Hogdon data is exactly the same as Lee presents. The Alliant page did not seem to have any slug data - just shot.

Anyone with ideas on how much the published load can be reduced and be safe? I believe that with metallic cartridges you are not supposed to go below the minimum.

Am I missing any good sources for slug data that would have a reduced load?

These are specified at 1500 fps.

Thanks

[overload]

Have the following from some reloading books I have.

Leee slug Primer Velocity(fps) WAD Power PSi
x1000

1 oz win209 1,522 Win.WAA12(white) 34grains Herco 10.4
1oz win209 1,673 WinWAA12(white) 49grains Blue dot 10.2

With 2 3/4 Remington STS Hulls from alliant power book (2004)


1oz win209 1,450 WinWAA12SL 36grains HS-6 10.2
With 2 3/4 Remington STS Hulls from Reloading for shotgunners

[overload]

Leee slug Primer Velocity(fps) WAD Power PSi x1000
1oz win209 1,450 WAA12SL HS-6 10.2


7/8 win209 1,550 WAA12L HS-6 9.9

With 2 3/4 Remington STS Hulls From Hodgon Powers.

Ive just started to reload and dont have the knowledge to be able to inform you, if you can just lower the power by the 10%.
Hope this helps

[diehard]

You can use 7/8oz and 1oz shot loadings for these slugs. Follow the recipe exactly (no substitutions and no cutting powder charges) with two exceptions: instead of shot, load the appropriate weight slug AND put a hard nitro card under the slug to keep it from sticking to the wad base.

I have tried numerous shotshell loads for both of these slugs (over 20 different powder/wad/ hull combos), and some shoot better than others. Your gun will find its favorite.


FWIW...IMR 7625 and 700x have been decent performers for me with loads going at about 1200fps or less.