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Author Topic: Loading Cast Slugs  (Read 2037 times)

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Offline X-man

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Loading Cast Slugs
« on: August 27, 2003, 11:46:58 AM »
I'm an avid metallic cartridge reloader and caster. Can't remember the last time I bought component bullets, since I cast all I shoot myself. I started loading shotgun shells last year. Got the 12 ga and .410 ga process down pretty well with a couple of MEC 600JR.

I recently came across a new Lyman 1 oz "Foster" type slug mold for $20.00 and snapped it up. I'm interested in loading my own slugs. Can anyone walk me through the process? Can you simply crimp the shell the same as a regular shell loaded with shot, or do you need to buy a roll crimp tool to turn out ammo like what you buy commercially? Also, is there any manufacturer/brand of hull best suited to loading slugs. Any help would be appreciated.
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Offline rickyp

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Loading Cast Slugs
« Reply #1 on: August 27, 2003, 12:00:49 PM »
they have special loading data for loading the cast slugs. they list the hall, wad and powder charge you need to use. You do not need a roll crimp you just use the normal star crimp. I have a lee 1 oz mold that i am getting a hard time to shoot well. I just need to play a rouond to find the load that my barrel likes.
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Offline Tad Houston

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Loading Cast Slugs
« Reply #2 on: September 01, 2003, 03:41:03 PM »
I'm loading slugs, but not the foster type- lyman makes a sabot mould that loads in a standard shot wad cup. These work really good. I think you need differant fillers and a roll crimp for the foster. My friend has a Mossberg 500 with a rifled barrel and a red dot, and i put 5 slugs through the same hole at 25 yards. The nice thing about the sabots is they dont lead your barrel. Im still working on loads for my Mossberg 500 turkey gun- it has the accu-choke, and im trying out a rifled choke tube in it. Rickyp, one good recipe i tried with the Lee 1 oz. is 25 grs. Unique, win. 209, win. AA12 wad, Win. Universal Hull. Seat the wad very light and it stacks up very nice for about 1200 FPS. :grin:  :D    Tad
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Offline Mr. 16 gauge

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Loading Cast Slugs
« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2003, 04:16:00 AM »
The LEE cast slug has data that offers the advantage of a rolled crimp; this slug is designed a little differently than the older Lyman slug.  Also, the LEE slug was designed to use one piece plastic "shot" wads; the data I have (Lyman 3rd ed.) shows that most of the loads listed require a roll crimp and the wads consist of fiber and cardboard wads.
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Offline Muddyboots

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Slug Reloading
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2003, 01:59:36 PM »
Been using Hammerhead slugs from www.shotgunslugs.com. Roll crimped with variable speed drill and accuracy is incredible. 2" group at 100yds with Hastings barrel on 870. Both my son's and my own shoot equally well with them. Easy to load and boy do they shoot. Sabot stays with slug to target which increases down range velocity and stability. My son killed 5 pt last year with one and it was impressive. Hit quartering in and and ended up in opposite hindquarter fully expanded. Butcher handed back sabot and didn't know it was attached to slug so he thought my son was on top of deer when he shot. Kind of funny when you think about it. I would definitely recommend them and give them a try. They provide reloading data for you as well so no guessing on load data.
Muddyboots
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Offline c mac

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Loading Cast Slugs
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2003, 06:43:31 AM »
rickyp
I load the lee 1oz also. Had a hard time gettiing groups until I  tried filling the base of the slug with hot wax. Then trim smooth. Good groups now.
cmac
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Offline rickyp

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Loading Cast Slugs
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2003, 08:44:09 AM »
I will try that thanks
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Offline rickyp

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Loading Cast Slugs
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2003, 09:45:27 AM »
cmac
how did you come up with the idea to fill the clug with wax?
 and what is the load you are using?
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Offline c mac

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Loading Cast Slugs
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2003, 05:01:38 PM »
rickyp
I've been trying to work up a slug load for 20 years. I've always had a problem with flyers. Wads sticking. So I thought that if I filled the base with something. Wax! It only adds 6gr. to the weight. It might stop the problem. And it did. You know how that goes. Wake up in the middle of the night thinking about something.  I'll get my notes together tomorrow and send you some loads. All the guys that I work with think I'm nuts for fooling with this when copper solids shot so well. It's not even the $10 a box. I just just like to go out to my shop and ----------play. I've gotten these to shoot really well. 2" at 50 yards with a 5moa red dot out of my mossberg.
cmac
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Offline rickyp

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Loading Cast Slugs
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2003, 06:15:57 PM »
I went out today and used 15 grs of clays with the lee slugs and i could keep them in about a 2  inch group at 53 yards. the load i was using was more stout and was all over the place couldnt even hit a sheet of paper at 30 yards
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Offline c mac

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Loading Cast Slugs
« Reply #10 on: November 10, 2003, 01:40:33 PM »
rickyp,
What was the load you were using for the 2" groups? Also I was thinking. I wonder if it would make a difference if I used 3" hulls for my  Mossburg 3" chamber? My thought is that there is 1/4" of freebore before the slug and wad colum reaches the barrel. I've been getting a lot of burned wads. Could this be from blowby at this point? Wish I had some 3" hulls to try. Food for thought.
cmac
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Offline ed in idaho

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12ga slugs
« Reply #11 on: March 21, 2004, 03:09:01 PM »
does anyone make a roll crimp tool, heard someone mention using electric , could you explain  thanks in advance
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Offline John Traveler

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roll crimper
« Reply #12 on: March 21, 2004, 04:25:24 PM »
The electric roll-crimp tools are used in a drill press on slow speed.

Lowering the tool on a loaded cartrige (held in a holder) gives perfect roll crimp on paper or plastic shells.
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John Traveler

Offline .45 COLT

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Roll Crimper
« Reply #13 on: March 22, 2004, 03:23:57 AM »
You can get a roll crimp tool from Ballistic Products.
http://www.ballisticproducts.com
It works real good, so easy that even I don't have trouble using it.
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