I have been hearing about some guy that is loading shotgun slugs with slugs from a mold he had built.
He loads them into a AA case with the plastic wad. The slug goes in the wad just like shot would then crimps just like a shot shell. So now in effect, he has a saboted slug.
All reports say this is a very accurate combo.
Is this a new idea or an old one that I haven't heard of till now?
Would wheel weights make good slugs?
Thanks, Bill

Lee Precision sells a 12 ga (and maybe 20 too) slug mold that is designed to fit into a shot cup (even has a support in the middle).

I have an ancient Lyman slug mold(full bore diameter). I always did a star crimp with them, but it's been so long since I shot any that I can't comment on performance at all. I think I used pure lead, with this mold and barrel leading was a pain.

I think they recommend pure lead for slugs, but I'd bet that wheelweights would work fine too. With a .75" starting diameter there's little need for expansion.

http://www.leeprecision.com/catalog/browse.cgi?1037244943.1696=blackpow.html#shotgun

Now that I live in Colorado I'm not doing much with slugs anymore.

[ 11-14-2002, 07:34: Message edited by: Loren ]

Old idea.

I hear that the Lee slugs won't release from the mold unless the mold is altered or you use straight lead.

I have been using an old Lyman mold that casts slugs too big for a shotcup and too small for my bore. I bang them through a homemade sizing die and load them into a shot cup. One problem is that most modern shotcups have tapered petals. I still have a few ancient shotcups with straight walls that work better, but better still is not good.

My best results have come with a .735 RB cast of straight lead or a 50/50 mix with wheelweights, works good in a rifled barrel, but I worry about one finding its way into a choked barrel. I coat the RBs with Lee's Liquid Alox and sometimes roll them in Motor Mica.

It's been a fun hobby, but if I had to hunt with slugs, I'd buy the modern saboted rounds.

If you use too hard an alloy, the side walls of the slug may crack. Most wheelweight metal is soft enough, but I would suggest adding some straight lead to be sure.

And if you use a star crimp, make sure you mark those cases GOOD.

And forget any idea of real high velocity. There are a few pressure tested recipes out there, but shotgun loading is too tricky to go experimenting.

I will sub in a one ounce slug into a load for one ounce of shot, but that is the only change I will make. I also like Unique powder for this work. The faster powders will pressure spike too fast. The slower ones will squib if your pressures are too low.

And I ain't even reccommending this. I am just telling you what I have done for years without trouble.

I used to get slugs for 20 gauge from Ballistic Products, loaded them with plastic wads in hulls. Loads were light, and did not cause any trouble in Savage 24s.