Author Topic: Odd size buckshot? (Read 990 times)

New Hampshire · « **on:** April 28, 2004, 01:30:37 PM »

Ok, A guy from work decided to get rid of all his reloading components as he stopped (juding by some of the components,) at least 20 years ago. With it he had some lead shot. I gave him 10 bucks and got what has to be close to 50 pounds of shot ranging from 7 1/2 s to what he told me was OO buck. But its the "supposed" OO buck thats got me scratching my head. So here is a noodle scratcher for you all....is there a Buck size between OO and OOO? Was the standard size for OO changed at one point? Here is why I ask. I got out the Lyman shotgun loading manual. Open up to the Shot size/weight chart. I see OO at .33" and OOO at .36". Out comes the calipers and what I get is a measurement that falls almost dead center of the above two measurements, or roughly between .34"-.35". So now Im scratching the head. So I look at the weight chart. OO at 53.something and OOO at 70.something grains. The digital scale says........ .63ish grains! Fine, on to number of pellets per oz? OO 8 and OOO 6. Surprise, surprise, I reach 1 oz with 7 pellets on there. What the hell is going on? Can ANYONE tell me what I got here? If it is an odd size buck what kind of data do I use for it, the OO or OOO data?
PLEASE HELP ME!
Thanks,
Brian M.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #1 on:** April 28, 2004, 01:33:05 PM »

P.S. This was not just one single pellet. I measured multiple ones and all come out the same. They are not very uniformly round, but even the max and min measurements dont quite hit the proper size for EITHER buck size.

Duffy · « **Reply #2 on:** April 28, 2004, 07:30:25 PM »

I have some similar to what you have that I got from my wifes grandfather. Think some of it is from the 30's & 40's and it's not very round either. Looks like it's been dropped a few times on the floor.

What I do is just go by the weight when reloading it and it's worked out fine. I't better to be a little light than too heavy and you can take up space with cork or felt fillers if needed.

.45 COLT · « **Reply #3 on:** April 29, 2004, 02:42:57 AM »

Hornady lists their 000 Buck as .35". Everybody else's is .36". A .35" lead ball weighs (about) 64 grains.

New Hampshire · « **Reply #4 on:** April 29, 2004, 11:43:12 AM »

Thanks for the responses guys. These little balls are really in some funky looking shape. Bet they will make some interesting patterns :-D ! I dont plan on using them for hunting really. I did get some #4 Buck that is also kinda un-even in shape. These I want to load into some 2 3/4" or 3' shells for coyote hunting. Again, thanks.
Brian M.

Flash · « **Reply #5 on:** October 03, 2004, 03:04:25 AM »

What you probably have is ballast shot. This was produced by the same companies that produced the #4's, 6's, 7 1/2's and the buck shot. I have several bags by the Lawrence Shot Company that are mixed odd sizes ranging from #9 up to #2. I occasionally use it for small game loads but mostly use it for cast bullets.

carpediem · « **Reply #6 on:** October 19, 2004, 10:28:29 PM »

Hello:

I cast buckshot and what you have on your hands is what is called SSG.

To the best of my knowledge, SSG is a Canadian designation and is slightly larger than 00 and smaller than 000. It falls in the middle of the two.

Kindest regards,

Carpediem

New Hampshire · « **Reply #7 on:** October 20, 2004, 11:45:22 AM »

Cool, thank you very much. Its still sitting around till I get some time to figgure on what to do with it. Gotta get me a new press too. Ive about had it with my Lee press.
Brian M.

Leftoverdj · « **Reply #8 on:** October 29, 2004, 08:38:26 AM »

New, the Lee Loadall is pretty good for playing with buckshot and slug loads, even if it is not much 'count for anything else. I use mine to size, decap, and prime. I then charge at my rifle powder measure and use the Lee to seat the wad column. You gotta take the shell out at that point anyway to count in your shot and add buffer if you have a recipe that uses it. I mostly roll crimp so the Lee is unneeded there.