Large size LEAD shot for shotguns?

[Andy Griffith]

I'm having a hard time finding it.

I've joined a couple of other forums just to be able to learn to cast buckshot and other "odd" things, which I never thought I would do...

But, does anyone have a supplier for #1, #2, and #BB lead shot?

This is +A coyote medicine!
Other than finding some #BB, I suppose I'll just buy a mould and cast some #4Buck.
Think linotype is hard enough alloy for buckshot?

I understand that the demand for large size lead shot just isn't there since waterfowlers only use non-toxic, expensive, less-effective shot.

I don't want copper or nickel plated- I would buy it if I was made of money.

I know that there isn't as many shotgun shooters on here, but I thought I'd try here first.

 

[Paul5388]

The last three hogs I've shot in my front yard have met their demise by using 00 buckshot at about 45 yards. They usually get hit by 3 pellets and that's enough, even for one this size.

Since then, I've started loading two stacked .50 cal round balls, for muzzle loaders, surrounded by #2 shot to keep them in place in the shot cup. I'm using 21.5 gr of Green Dot with this 1 1/4 ounce load, but I think it needs a little more oomph than that.

The #2 shot also helps created enough pressure to make the powder burn efficiently. Slug and buckshot loads don't produce as much back pressure/inertia and have to be loaded differently than a shot load.

 

[Jellybean]

I got most of my shotgun reloading supplies from a local dealer. I also got some stuff from a local craft store to experiment with, but that's another story. I pretty much gave up on shotshell reloading since the price of shot went up and the price of loaded ammo came down for most of what I shot. I guess ammo cost is going back up, but I have a whole bunch of left over ammo. I did cast my own buckshot using RB moulds I used for my handguns.

I don't think you have to worry about your lead being too hard for the barrel. I would be concerned about if I wanted expansion or penetration and if I was using a shot cup or not. If your lead is too soft and not in a shot cup you will be cleaning more of it out of the barrel later.

 

[Dew]

Lynotype will not harm your shotgun barrel.

 

[mesabi]

Andy, if you're gonna' be messin' with them scatterguns, you need to visit www.ballisticproducts.com

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Andy,

I do a lot of shotgun reloading and since I don't do any waterfowling,all I use is lead.I also handload buckshot(probably more than most).

For shotgun supplies,the best I know is Ballistic Products (ballisticproducts.com)
1-888-273-5623.

They sell a particularly good buckshot (8 lbs min order).From several outfits,Midway,Cabelas,Midsouth,etc,you can get Hornady buckshot in 5 lb bags.

If you're going to cast buckshot,you have a lot more patience than I do.As I said,I do quite a bit of shotshell loading with large lead shot.If I can help,let me know.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Thank you gentlemen.

I will try some of the Ballistic Products Remington #BB's.

I have looked at their site before, and never found the lead in the large sizes until now.

Yes, I do cast #00, and cast it out of linotype.
That, and .358 200gr bullets is what got me started into casting in the first place.

Casting buckshot isn't too bad if you have a gang mold with 24 cavities, like I had a friend recommend:

Although I have never tried casting anything smaller than #00 or a .375 round ball and have no idea how easy it is to cast small diameter stuff, I've read that the gentleman that made my (this) mold makes them as small as #4Buck.

Gang moulds are the only way to go, I think.

(The above is not my picture, but is one I found on the castboolit website, so I don't want to take credit!)

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Andy,

Does your 00 buck mike .33 or .34?Also I'm curious about the weight when cast from linotype.How does it pattern?

BPI's super buck shot is excellent.They make it from B shot (.17) to 0000 buck (.38).You mention BB shot.A proper driver cup,felt wads and buffer material will help a great deal.

 

[Andy Griffith]

Well let me see where to start with answers...

I don't know exactly what the balls measure, because I have never measured to find out.

I guess I should.

It does pattern very well, in my black powder loads. That is all my experience thus far for shotgunning- on the black powder side.

I load 9-pellets in one of the Magtech brass cases over 85 grains of powder. I use a hard card wad (all wads are 11ga.) directly over the powder, a 1/2" lubed fiber wad after that, two cork wads to make up space and then one more hard wad, then the shot and cover them with heavy paper overshot card. I give it a roll crimp if I shoot in in my 97's, and it works like a charm.

I tried five rounds 12 pellet, and IIRC, they were awful. But even my 9 pellet loads were lackluster until I found the secret- cork wads and a HARD wad underneath the shot. I'm going to give the 12 pellet another try when I get back into the mood and have time one day. I just pittle with things along as I have time, if you know what I mean.

Want me to cast some up and send to you next time I fire up the furnace?

 

[canoe on the yukon]

Andy,

I really appreciate your generous offer.It's mighty nice of you but I have plenty of buckshot on hand now.It sounds to me that you'll be putting it to good use.

Your black powder shotshell loads sound interesting.I did a bit of muzzleloading shotgunning years ago and remember that it was a lot of fun.

With regards,
ray

 

[rg1]

Precision Reloading has BB and #2 lead shot and buckshot for sale:
http://www.precisionreloading.com/index.html