Custom Bullet Mold

[Matt3357]

I know this may not be the most applicable place to post this, but I know that most people who have the patience to work on a handi also do a lot of reloading and casting.  I got the wild idea of making my own shotgun slug mold since there is a severe lack of molds for shotgun slugs.  I would like to practice slug shooting more but cost is prohibitive at $13 bucks/5 shots.  It would just be a single cavity mold machined into 7014 aluminum, or steel (basically which ever I can get my hands on).  Before you say anything about aluminum, I read a report about a machinist who created a 4 cavity mold out of 7014 that worked out very well holding heat and casting very good bullets.  I am looking to design a slug very much like a remington buckhammer that uses a standard shotgun wad.  I have a couple of questions for you guys.  What is the slug size of a full bore 20 gauge slug?  Does anyone make 20 gauge dies for a standard rifle press or am I going to have to purchase a lee load all?  And finally, would anyone be interested in purchasing slugs if I do start on this project? 

Thanks,
Matt

[Matt3357]

Here's the site for the Engineering Teacher who started making his own molds.

www.usi.edu/Science/engineering/moldfixture/MakingBulletMolds.doc

[LunaticFringeInc]

First...why re-invent the wheel?  Have you looked at this mold from Lyman?

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1244120

This is the 20 gauge verison (despite the typo in the write up...).  I have one in the 12 guage and find it to be pretty effective and acceptably accurate.  Its unfortunate its a single cavity mold though.  It uses WAA12 wads and the standard star crimp.

As for your other question...I could be wrong but I am pretty sure you will need to get a reloading machine for shotgun.  I use a Mec 600 Jr and it works quiet well for me.

Just a thought...

[Matt3357]

well, dang all I could find were square wheels so I thought i'd make a round one. but since you've shown me the light, I'll have to check it out. 

Thanks,
Matt

[Matt3357]

I've checked out the Lyman slug and a problem I have with it is that it is a saboted slug.  I have discovered that full bore slugs shoot better out of my shotgun.  I would like to re create the general shape of the buckhammer with the tail that fits inside the wad for stabilization. 

Thanks,
Matt

[PHATINJUN]

Here's some 500gr 20gauge slugs that I bought from Dixie Slugs. I don't use anything special to load them but a rollcrimper and preprimed Fiocci hulls. I think most of my problem with them is they may be a tad heavy so I may try and drill some grains out of the bottom for the next test go around.Kurt

[Cat Whisperer]

Ahhh, THANKS for starting this thread!

Now that I've made 2 moulds (1") I'll go small bore and make a mould for my double bbl 10ga.

Any suggestions as to form or shape?  I can go up to 2-1/8 oz on the heavy side, but would prefer to keep it down about 1-3/4.

What about diameter?  How much clearance?  I have a matched pair of cylinder bore chokes.