Reloading slugs

THERAVEN · January 16, 2013, 10:48 AM

I want to get back into reloading shotgun shells. I want to do slugs. Can I use shot casings or do I need to use only slug casings.

paknheat · January 16, 2013, 11:06 AM

Interested in this myself, tagged for further interest .

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jrinne0430 · January 16, 2013, 01:00 PM

You can use either. I use Winchester AA or Federal Gold Metal hulls when loading Lee 1oz slugs.

Catfish · January 17, 2013, 08:30 PM

I`m definately not a Lee fan, but I have a friend that is casting slugs with the new Lee slug and is haveing real good luck with them. He is loading AA hulls and the AA wads.

oldandslow · January 17, 2013, 11:51 PM

tr, 1/18/13

I've spent the past two years experimenting with different 12 gauge slug loads and finally found what works for my pig hunting at ranges of less than 100 yards in heavy brush.

First step is to take a look at the www.castboolits.gunloads.com shotgun loading subforum and also over at www.shotgunworld.com in the slugshooters subforum. Both are very helpful. Next, for supplies look at www.ballisticproducts.com they have almost everything you'll need to load slugs.

I've tried the Lyman 525 grain slug, the BPI shuttlecock slug, the Foster's slug and the Gualandi fullbore slug with attached wad. All were in a smoothbore barrel. I've tried multiple hulls, wad and shot card combinations and even filling the rear cavity of some of the slugs with epoxy resin but only got good results (sub-3" 50 yard groups) with the Gualandi slug. Since these come from Italy I didn't want to depend on a supplier half a world away from my location.

The final best answer was to order a slug mold from Tom at www.accuratemolds.com. I got the 770 grain slug mold and figured out a magic load with Blue Dot (thanks to the CB and SGW forum members) that groups well and goes in one side of a wild pig and out the other leaving a 0.730" hole. I changed out the barrel to a rifled one after getting frustrated with the smoothbore.

Take a look at the above sites (which also have info on the Lee slug), and see if it helps you. Good luck.

best wishes- oldandslow

Sure Shot Mc Gee · January 18, 2013, 01:05 AM

Might want to visit Ballistic Products web site for a looks see. Afterwards. You just may want to try roll crimping your slugs.

kraigwy · January 18, 2013, 09:35 AM

I believe in keeping it simple. About the only thing I use shotguns for now days is 3 gun. I use an old Remington 870 Police Riot gun with an 18 inch smooth barrel.

In three gun, you don't shoot that far, you are required to shoot bird shot, slugs and buck shoot.

Like I said, I keep it simple, I use WW AA Hulls, AA wads, and a Mec 1 oz charge bar.

I load 1 oz of 8 shot, and Lee's 1 oz slug, and I use a Lee round ball mold that makes .319 balls at 48 grns, which I stick 9 into the same AA hulls and wads.

Recoil is the same across the board, the buck shot and bird shot pattern plenty good enough for the distance we shoot, and I have no problem hitting an 8 inch circle with my slug loads at 50 yards (again, within the distances we shoot).

The only modification I do to the above loads is I use a magic marker to mark which shell is buck shot or slugs.

I have other charge bars for my Mec 600 If I decide to go bird hunting, but there aren't many birds around here. Or I have the set up for trap and skeet loading if I decide to get back into those games.

You really don't have to get all fancy with slug loading.

Some people deer hunt with shot guns, If I was to do that I have faith in my slugs, but I'd probably put a bit more powder behind my buck shot loads.

Xfire68 · January 18, 2013, 10:33 PM

kraigwy, what powder and charge are you using?

kraigwy · January 19, 2013, 01:35 AM

I use the Mec #31 powder bushing throwing 18.5 grs. of Red Dot

January 16, 2013, 10:48 AM	#1
THERAVEN Member Join Date: February 24, 2009 Posts: 17	Reloading slugs I want to get back into reloading shotgun shells. I want to do slugs. Can I use shot casings or do I need to use only slug casings.

January 18, 2013, 09:35 AM	#7
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8,614	I believe in keeping it simple. About the only thing I use shotguns for now days is 3 gun. I use an old Remington 870 Police Riot gun with an 18 inch smooth barrel. In three gun, you don't shoot that far, you are required to shoot bird shot, slugs and buck shoot. Like I said, I keep it simple, I use WW AA Hulls, AA wads, and a Mec 1 oz charge bar. I load 1 oz of 8 shot, and Lee's 1 oz slug, and I use a Lee round ball mold that makes .319 balls at 48 grns, which I stick 9 into the same AA hulls and wads. Recoil is the same across the board, the buck shot and bird shot pattern plenty good enough for the distance we shoot, and I have no problem hitting an 8 inch circle with my slug loads at 50 yards (again, within the distances we shoot). The only modification I do to the above loads is I use a magic marker to mark which shell is buck shot or slugs. I have other charge bars for my Mec 600 If I decide to go bird hunting, but there aren't many birds around here. Or I have the set up for trap and skeet loading if I decide to get back into those games. You really don't have to get all fancy with slug loading. Some people deer hunt with shot guns, If I was to do that I have faith in my slugs, but I'd probably put a bit more powder behind my buck shot loads. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Oct '78 Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 18, 2013, 10:33 PM	#8
Xfire68 Senior Member Join Date: April 1, 2010 Location: Communist State of IL. Posts: 1,292	kraigwy, what powder and charge are you using? __________________ NRA Life Member, SAF Member

January 19, 2013, 01:35 AM	#9
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 8,614	I use the Mec #31 powder bushing throwing 18.5 grs. of Red Dot __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Oct '78 Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

January 16, 2013, 11:06 AM	#2
paknheat Senior Member Join Date: October 17, 2006 Location: East Texas Posts: 234	Interested in this myself, tagged for further interest . Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

January 16, 2013, 01:00 PM	#3
jrinne0430 Senior Member Join Date: November 30, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 106	You can use either. I use Winchester AA or Federal Gold Metal hulls when loading Lee 1oz slugs.

January 17, 2013, 08:30 PM	#4
Catfish Member Join Date: November 30, 2010 Posts: 71	I`m definately not a Lee fan, but I have a friend that is casting slugs with the new Lee slug and is haveing real good luck with them. He is loading AA hulls and the AA wads.

January 17, 2013, 11:51 PM	#5
oldandslow Senior Member Join Date: October 2, 2007 Posts: 505	tr, 1/18/13 I've spent the past two years experimenting with different 12 gauge slug loads and finally found what works for my pig hunting at ranges of less than 100 yards in heavy brush. First step is to take a look at the www.castboolits.gunloads.com shotgun loading subforum and also over at www.shotgunworld.com in the slugshooters subforum. Both are very helpful. Next, for supplies look at www.ballisticproducts.com they have almost everything you'll need to load slugs. I've tried the Lyman 525 grain slug, the BPI shuttlecock slug, the Foster's slug and the Gualandi fullbore slug with attached wad. All were in a smoothbore barrel. I've tried multiple hulls, wad and shot card combinations and even filling the rear cavity of some of the slugs with epoxy resin but only got good results (sub-3" 50 yard groups) with the Gualandi slug. Since these come from Italy I didn't want to depend on a supplier half a world away from my location. The final best answer was to order a slug mold from Tom at www.accuratemolds.com. I got the 770 grain slug mold and figured out a magic load with Blue Dot (thanks to the CB and SGW forum members) that groups well and goes in one side of a wild pig and out the other leaving a 0.730" hole. I changed out the barrel to a rifled one after getting frustrated with the smoothbore. Take a look at the above sites (which also have info on the Lee slug), and see if it helps you. Good luck. best wishes- oldandslow

January 18, 2013, 01:05 AM	#6
Sure Shot Mc Gee Senior Member Join Date: January 2, 2012 Location: Need to know basis only Posts: 935	Might want to visit Ballistic Products web site for a looks see. Afterwards. You just may want to try roll crimping your slugs.