Specific slug data needed.

[nagantino]

Hi all,

I'm about to begin reloading slug shells for Practical Shotgun Competition. I've made my ingots and have the Lee pot with a bottom pour. The hard part now begins. Finding components to build the "column" that will give an accurate slug. I'm using the Lee 7/8 drive key but the flurry of wads, nitro cards and powder charge is baffling. American websites have plenty of opinions but we can't buy that stuff easily, and finding the European equivilant is a guessing game. I am going to buy new primed cases and roll crimp on a pedestal drill.

 

So. It would be a good start if you guys would post your recipe for 7/8 Lee slugs. I'd doesn't have to be your own, say "your mate tried this one" or "my mum likes these wads with these nitro cards" but, it does have to be specific .......name the case, exactly which wad, how many nitro cards and which powder.

 

I think the growing number of Practical shooters would appreciate the information.

[Andy H]

Have a look at these for some idea's

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/load14_04_25.htm

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?138216-7-8-ounce-lee-slug-load-suggestions

http://slugshooting.accountsupport.com/Forum4/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=22

[saddler]

US shotshell components are not ITAR controlled....it's just a case of finding a supplier that will ship them.

 

I use a completely different slug (Lyman Sabot) so don't have specific suggestions for Lee key slug loads.

 

Will be trying Lyman Forster slugs as well soon as I just got the mold & the dedicated swaging set to add the rifling grooves (makes them look like Brenneke slugs)

 

Do some research on YouTube for loading the Lee slugs & using a roll crimp.

[nagantino]

Saddler,

I've read till I'm dizzy. The merry-go-round of what's recommended on YouTube by experienced guys in the states, to our own suppliers her in the UK is the stumbling block. Add in the serious warnings about building a shell as recommended, impossible because of equivalents in UK. The Lee data sheet would be great if you could access those components. I want to buy local, that is UK or Europe.

Has no one worked up a 7/8 slug shell that is accurate and was sourced here?

[mr smith]

I load the 7/8 slug,in my semi auto I use 22 grains of D20se and one of the B&P z wads can't remember which off the top of my head.To get the column height right I use 20 bore fibre wads cut to fit.

[Guest cookoff013]

If had S1, I would have done this in a proof barrel.

27+mm plaswads are for 24g shot, about the size as a Lee slug.

 

Apart from that I'm of little use.

[nagantino]

Cheers lads. Mr.Smith is that the Z 18 from B&P( Clay and Game)? I was thinking that a smaller cup Z 24 say, would allow the column to sit just proud of the petals. Fortunecookie45 recommends that.

[mr smith]

Z 24 it just needs a slice of 20 bore fibre wad to lift it to the right height for crimping,that's in a 70mm case.

[sportsbob]

Can you not cut the case to the length you need instead of messing with column height ?

[nagantino]

I've settled on a MEC straight wall wad for 7/8 ounce load, with a Cheddite case 70 mm. I'm looking at a HS6 equivalent, say, Vectan OA. About 30 grains to start.

[nagantino]

Well, some progress as been made. I've built a batch of slugs and tested them yesterday. First thing to say is they are great fun to shoot. Accuracy was very good from the 10 metre line, 20 metre and finally 50 metres. At 50 metres I was able to hit the target with some accuracy but it ain't precision. All components were from Field and Game. I used a 70 mm Cheddite case, a MEC straight wall 7/8 ounce wad(grey), one nitro card over 20 grs of Vectan AS topped off with a frangible disc. These were roll crimped.

So far so good. The finished shell has a very slight bulge near the roll crimp. This becomes apparent when loading the semi auto. Sometimes the shell does not fully go into battery. A smart push on the cocking handle will sorted that.

My question is: what's causing the slight bulge? Pretty sure it's the wad. Anyone tried a combination that makes a smooth finished she'll with no bulge?

[saddler]

No case bulge with the Ponsness Warren 375 press (shell is in a full length die throughout the loading process)

 

Do you use a shell gauge?

Run all my reloaded slug rounds through one, reject those that don't drop into it freely.

Handy to have when setting up a press or adjusting components..

[nagantino]

Saddler,

I don't use a press. I buy pre primed cases, add the powder, fit a card, slug and frangible disc. I push them in fully and then roll crimp on a pedestal drill. I've been working all sorts of remedy but I'm certain it's the wad. It's too small , MEC 7/8, I reload lots of pistol/revolver ammo and use case gauges for every round. I think a Diamant H-21 wad is needed, which I think Siarm supply.

I'm surprised how few people replied because it must be a problem that many encounter.

[English]

You might find the info you want on the 4 Islands web site / forum

[deershooter]

As powder and D20 se powder are really both two fast for slug loads just because it's 24 gram doesn't mean it's the same as a lead shot load .Your pressures will be very high slugs have no fluidity like lead shot .you should be using a much slower powder like Vectan AO or Unique ,HS 6 is also about the correct burn rate but not shure if it's still made .Slugs act like steel shot and req slow powder you wouldn't load 24 grams of steel shot with fast powder so why do it with slugs . My mosburg 500 slugster will hold 6 inch groups with 1oz brennick slug and unique powder at 70 yards .

 

Be safe not silly

[nagantino]

The AS is working though. Vectan powders are available locally so I will experiment with them. I bought AS after lots of reading....fast powder, medium powder, fast powder .....on and on. I settled on AS after speaking to a number of suppliers. The thinking was " use a fast powder so that no unburnt powder is left in the barrel and complete ignition is achieved by a fast powder " . Like I say, they work fine. The MEC 7/8 wad is not suitable though. I've changed to Diamant H 21 wad it's a snug fit and has no bulges.

[MAB1954]

I'm sure there is data for a AS slug load on the FES website, if its not there pm me I'm sure I have data.

[deershooter]

Just because it works doesn't mean it right

 

Deershooter

[rbrowning2]

A0 is much to slow burning for 7/8 slug. Unique is more like A1.

 

Lead slugs are not like steel shot. load data for a powder listing both shot and powder shows the powder charge to be more for a 1oz slug load than a 1oz lead shot load.

But then they are normally talking about a hunting load not a target shooting load.

 

If you are not certain that the load you are shooting is safe use the services of the proof house etc - simple.

 

Who is selling D20 se powder?

 

Rb

Edited July 25, 2016 by rbrowning2

[Old farrier]

Hi

Just curious here chaps

 

Why do you need a wad I a slug ?

 

Don't need them in rifle ammo

 

All the best

Of

[Guest cookoff013]

Hi

Just curious here chaps

Why do you need a wad I a slug ?

Don't need them in rifle ammo

All the best

Of

The wad seals the gas. A rifle cartridge is tiny and pops because it is smaller the expense of alot of pressure.

The shotgun can't because it's about 800thou, and chamber is long.

Also the forcing cone and barrel vary in size. Rifles do not.

[nagantino]

Just because it works doesn't mean it right

Deershooter

Well, it means it works. Repeatedly and accurately. It would be foolish for a newbee like myself to ignore the advise of the dealer selling the Vectan AS, ( who sells all Vectan powders and many others ), and the supplier of the shell components who also suggested a fast burning powder. 70 mm Cheddite case, 20 grs. Vectan AS, H21 wad, 1 nitro card, Lee 7/8 slug, 1 frangible disc, roll crimped. If I would change anything it would be a shorter case, say 65/68 mm.

[Old farrier]

The wad seals the gas. A rifle cartridge is tiny and pops because it is smaller the expense of alot of pressure.

The shotgun can't because it's about 800thou, and chamber is long.

Also the forcing cone and barrel vary in size. Rifles do not.

Thanks for the explanation very interesting and thought provoking

Any idea how they loaded for the ball and shot jungle rifles of yesteryear

Led to believe they had a small amount of rifling in the choke area

Just curios

Many thanks

Of

[Guest cookoff013]

Thanks for the explanation very interesting and thought provoking

Any idea how they loaded for the ball and shot jungle rifles of yesteryear

Led to believe they had a small amount of rifling in the choke area

Just curios

Many thanks

Of

Powders were quite faster and less dense of yesteryear. That's the key.

[Old farrier]

Powders were quite faster and less dense of yesteryear. That's the key.

👌👍👍😊

Many thanks