reloading 00 buck or slugs 12g

[yoitsbruce]

suggestions or stay away from this idea.

[bumpo628]

Step #1 - Only use published recipes.
There is not as much wiggle room as with pistol or rifle reloading. You really do not want to experiment or make component substitutions, except where recommended. Even changing the primer or wad could create problems. So you should only use the specific items on the list according to the type of hull that you will load. If you can not find load data for the components you have, either you need a new book or there is a reason that those components are not used together.

Step #2 - Buy manuals and load books
The Lyman book is the best. A definite must-have for any shotshell reloader and you can find it at MidwayUSA for $18.

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?productNumber=887011

If it doesn't have the load data that you're looking for, then try one of the manuals over at Ballistic Products. You can use the coupon code "FRS6' to get $6.99 shipping.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Loading-Manuals/products/16/

Download the powder manufacturer's load data book.
You can find the Alliant manual here: http://glarp.atk.com/2011/2011_Catal...derCatalog.pdf
Or get a paper copy here: http://www.alliantpowder.com/resources/catalog.aspx

Step #3 - Buy Components
Here is the way I would go about buying components:
1. Decide what brand hull you will load, say Winchester AA for example.
2. Then decide what amount of lead you will use.
- Slugs are usually 7/8 oz or 1 oz; each 00 buckshot pellet weighs about 1/8 oz; the standard trap load is 1-1/8 oz.
3. Look up the data in load book.
- Go to the hull, find the weight, and it will give you the powder options that you have.
4. When you have selected a powder, then look in the table and it will tell you which primer and wad to use as well as how much powder.
- It may also tell you how much powder to use for different velocities. I would pick something in the middle to allow for fluctuations in your powder meter.
- Check your meter to see how much variance is actually there before loading anything.

Alliant Promo is a very economical and versatile powder. It is the same thing as Red Dot, so you can use load data for either.

"Promo has the same burn speed as Red Dot, but is more dense, thus requiring a smaller bushing to obtain the same charge weight."
http://www.alliantpowder.com/products/powder/promo.aspx

[yoitsbruce]

thanks for the info. do you load shotshells?

[fatfreadiescat]

Look at LEE reloading
I reload AA trap hulls with 1 oz lee slugs and 00 (.320) buck that shoot great and are easy to reload
I cast my own slugs and shot
I load a 1oz slug or buck (9 pellats)) behind 23 grns of Unique in a AAwin plastic trap hull with a WAA12SL wad.
works for me.

[bumpo628]

Right now I just load trap shells. I've been using 7/8 oz and it works just about as good as standard 1-1/8 oz shells.

I bought buckshot and slug molds so that I can cast my own. I also bought slug and buckshot load manuals. I just haven't had the chance to load any up yet.

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Slug-Loading-Manual-3rd-edition/productinfo/00MSLUG/

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Buckshot-Loading-Manual-3rd-ed/productinfo/00MBUCK/

I use the Lee Load All II. I think it works fine, albeit slow. However, I am in no rush.
It's only $44 and you're in business. The primer feeder ($10) is a bit buggy, but it does help.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/436640/lee-load-all-2-shotshell-press-12-gauge-2-3-4-3

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/188662/lee-load-all-2-shotshell-press-primer-feeder

[yoitsbruce]

is there a different setup or dies needed for slugs, since they dont use a crimp? i already load pistol might as well reload for everything else i own.

[fatfreadiescat]

The lee slug is crimped into the hull just like shot or buck

[CSACANNONEER]

For limited numbers of Slugs and 00, I'd recomned the Lee Loadall JR. I'ts a real cheap and simple press. That, along with a decent scale is all you need. If you want to play with roll crimping, Balistic Products has roll crimpers, over shot cards and buffer material.

[yoitsbruce]

still trying to figure out if it be cheaper than just outright buying 00buck or slugs. since i dont really know the price of lead or cast. what are your costs

[CSACANNONEER]

Costs of consumables will be about the same as loading birdshot. The costs of casting equipment will vary depending on what you want to spend.

[bumpo628]

You can get into casting for under $100.

[yoitsbruce]

i will have to consider that too. how much time does it take to cast 100 00buck and 100 1oz slugs. and the cost of lead? ive only seen $37 for 25lbs of shot loads. but havent seen 00buck or slug loads. i was considering the lee shot press @ $50 then some of the components but the cost of lead threw me off. casting is now an option i must figure out now, ive seen setups with camping stoves and all.

[bumpo628]

You can buy lead for $1 per pound delivered. Each slug weighs either 7/8 oz or 1 oz and a 00 buckshot pellet weighs about 1/8 oz per pellet. That means that the lead in a typical shell will cost about $0.06 per ounce.

Lead is available from the castboolits.gunloads.com selling forum.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=63886

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=86491

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?f=18

You can get melting pot at midway for about $50. Slug molds only cost about $20.