Going to try my hand at doing shotgun reloading?
Thanks
Thanks
Source for cast lead balls /slugs 12 gauge?
- Thread starter hillbillydruggist
- Start date
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LA50SHOOTER
Sworn To Protect The Constitution.
Lee makes round ball molds pretty cheap if your wanting to shoot buckshot and slug type loads. Some scrap yards sell scrap lead, but if it were me, I’d go through a reputable casting alloy dealer (Roto-metals is pretty good and pays shipping if you order enough and their alloy is real, not some dangerous scrap crap) - And as was mentioned, Ballistic Products in Minnesota are an Excellent source of shot shell components.
Regards, - Ron -
Regards, - Ron -
KMart
Gold $$ Contributor
Precision Reloading also has a pretty fair shotgun reloading section
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
This ole boy knows a lot about loading buckshot and slugs.
Reloading slugs and buckshot is so simple. I use a roll crimp on my slugs. This tool is really fun. Lee dippers and you are in business. With molds and a lead pot you can for sure roll your own
https://www.ballisticproducts.com/mobile/Hull-Vise-select-size-in-Options/productinfo/VISE/
He is the one who got me started loading buck shot years ago... He has some great videos... With shotgun you need to buy a manual and stick to a recipe... You can get in trouble screwing around with shotgun... Stick with what a known recipe says including useing the correct primer... Throwing a federal 209A primer into the mix can get you over pressure fast it's not like pistol and rifle... But it's just as safe if you follow the rules... Rifle runs around 55,000 psi and shotgun only around 14,000 psi...
I reload for skeet although you don't really save money over cheap box brand but you do get a heck of alot better quality shell.... If your thinking you may do the same just buy a MEC shotshell reloader there simple and produce great shotshells for a couple hundred bucks and will last a lifetime... Plus you can have whatever shotgun shells you want when you want them... We just ordered a ton , yup 2000 lbs of shot from Remington and it got here yesterday... I have to go pickup my part tomorrow... Should keep my going through winter and those guys maybe through the winter , they shoot alot of shotgun and reload every round they shoot...
Lee makes a Turn Key slug mold for 12 ga. Get the 1 oz. it shoot best. You use PURE lead. These load in a regular AA wad in a 2 3/4" AA case with a standard star crimp. I have a Remington screw in rifled choke and out of my scoped Rem. 1100 and 870 it will shoot a ragged hole 5 shot group at 50 yards and at 100 average 2 1/2". I use Longshot powder and that 1 oz slug packs a punch. These slugs shoot pretty good out of a smooth bore cylinder bore H&R Partner (Rem. 870 knock off) I have also. This is my beater shotgun that I keep on my 4 wheeler when working at my hunting lease for bear defense. It is loaded with a slug, 00 Buck alternating mix.
Could i melt down birdshot from target shells? And then replace with the molded slug?
jds holler
Gold $$ Contributor
If you're gonna do that you would be better sending me the bird shot, and I'll send you bace ingots of pure lead salvaged from sheet lead. I just hate to see the bird shot going to waste.
jdThanks!
Bird shot has antimony and tin in it that makes it pretty hard. Best slugs are PURE lead so they squeeze down in different chokes or grip the plastic peddles of the shot cup which acts as a sabot in a rifled bore or choke. Then on impact that soft lead does flatten out easy creating a devastating wound.
I did see on You Tube from a guy call Bush Boy of how he drilled a hole in a piece of wood and laid it on an anvil. Melted the bird shot and poured it into the hole in the wood to make a flat ended wad cutter like slug and loaded them in regular shot cups and they shot pretty accurately. Might check this out.
Here is something that my grandfather taught me. Back during hard times before and during WII when you could not get much ammo for your shotgun especially something like a "Punkin ball" as he called them, slug or single round ball load. You made cut shells. You took a regular shot shell and took your knife and cut just above where the powder charge was were the shot wadding or now days cup is. Cut through to the wad half way around leaving just about 1/16 inch of case not cut. Then from that part cut the other half way around leaving another 1/16 inch on the other side not cut. This will keep the shell together. These have to be single loaded but in that day most shotguns were single or double barrel. When you fire the shell the case will break loose those 1/16 inch uncut places and the whole case, wad and shot will go forward like a slug. Up to 50 yards or so it acts just like one of those Glaser bullets. Hits like a slug but opens up and sends the BBs flying. He said that he killed deer, bear and hogs with these. I have fired many shells like this just fooling around. This is nice to know if you find yourself in a situation that you need a bit more authority than what bird shot alone would do and it is all you have.
I did see on You Tube from a guy call Bush Boy of how he drilled a hole in a piece of wood and laid it on an anvil. Melted the bird shot and poured it into the hole in the wood to make a flat ended wad cutter like slug and loaded them in regular shot cups and they shot pretty accurately. Might check this out.
Here is something that my grandfather taught me. Back during hard times before and during WII when you could not get much ammo for your shotgun especially something like a "Punkin ball" as he called them, slug or single round ball load. You made cut shells. You took a regular shot shell and took your knife and cut just above where the powder charge was were the shot wadding or now days cup is. Cut through to the wad half way around leaving just about 1/16 inch of case not cut. Then from that part cut the other half way around leaving another 1/16 inch on the other side not cut. This will keep the shell together. These have to be single loaded but in that day most shotguns were single or double barrel. When you fire the shell the case will break loose those 1/16 inch uncut places and the whole case, wad and shot will go forward like a slug. Up to 50 yards or so it acts just like one of those Glaser bullets. Hits like a slug but opens up and sends the BBs flying. He said that he killed deer, bear and hogs with these. I have fired many shells like this just fooling around. This is nice to know if you find yourself in a situation that you need a bit more authority than what bird shot alone would do and it is all you have.
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I am about to start loading buckshot. I have everything I need, but I am waiting until it gets cooler (we had a cold front come through N Texas and it is only 90 right now LOL).
While waiting, I got to thinking, how do wing shooters get enough shot to load lots of rounds when you only get 18 shells per pound of lead.
2000 pounds will do it with 35K+ shells.
400 1oz shells per 25 lbs bag of shot... We ordered 2000 lbs of shot from remington and it came in... I think it was $3400 , it's really hard to save money reloading birdshot but buckshot is a different story... I am in central Texas and no cold front yet , I think it's supposed to drop to the 80s in Thursday.... Went to the range today and it was HOT... After having the heart attack about 3-4 weeks ago it's really hard to go on these hot days plus I have bad heat problems from before so that's definitely not helping.... You will like your buckshot loads once you find your load and the components you need.... I like Hornady buckshot it's pretty hard... I load a reduced load with only 8 00 pellets instead of 9 and it helps....
Edit...my shooting buddies just won some titles last week in San Antonio one friend shot his first 50 straight in trap during a competition.... I am so proud of those guys , ones kinda new and I am sure they had a blast... Wish I could have went but I don't want to end up in the hospital again... The helicopter ride I got the bill in yesterday , $50,000 and my insurance will only pay about $12,000... The hospital bill alone was $198,000 with the helicopter ride takes it to $250,000 and plenty more bills are coming... Damn insurance is worthless , I will be paying on it for the rest of my life....Have a great day and good shooting when you get your buckshot loads going...
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I wish you well after your heart attack, I had one last year and thanks for the info!
HOLY SHI*! $50K for a short helicopter ride, and you probably didn't have choice. I can't imagine Texas allows such profiteering at taxpayers expense. Seems like the whole point is to suck us dry of our savings just before we die. If medicare is involved, I need to know so I refuse the ride should it be "deemed necessary".
QUICK, before he's gone, suck the last dollar out of him before the lawyers get ahold of his estate! As Texans, we're entitled to game the system for TWO pensions, at taxpayers expense!
Pretty much ya , the insurance companies are just as bad not paying for anything... The past 8 years have sucked , I have lost 99% of friends and family , lost everything in a huge Forest fire and now this... I am pretty close to just giving up.. I tryed to go shoot a few days ago but it's still so hot I thought I was going to pass out before I got home... Ohh well that's life...
Who was it that said getting old ain't for sissies? If it ain't forest fires its hurricanes or floods in Texas. Was your loss in the Bastrop fire? That was horrible! I was there a few weeks before and it was a gorgeous place. Also filmed part of the Alamo movie there in the woods.
I've already outlived many of my friends from my younger days, including a younger brother, and I'm only in my late 60's. Nearly all of my friends from my air racing days are gone, not hard to guess why. A close friend who died flying had pilots life insurance for 1m. They refused to pay out. Also tried to avoid paying on two separate aircraft mishaps with only damage. Had to sue to get them to pay.
You've had it especially tough, and I am feeling your pain. I can relate to some degree as my close friend recently had a heart attack and was within a few seconds of dying before they got him unblocked. And now today I'm wearing a heart monitor for a few days because of a close call. Fingers crossed, but they're no guarantees. Getting old is TOUGH.
Meanwhile, I'm joining a local gun club today. Intend to take up match shooting. So I've got that going for me.
Wishing you well, and a speedy recovery! Have you thought about setting up a go fund me page to help with bills. I'll certainly contribute.
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