12 ga Buckshot - my addiction is spreading

[Gadawg88]

I am taking the plunge into shotshell reloading, specifically buckshot loads. I have an appreciation already for the inherent differences from metalic reloading which I currently do for seven different calibers. I used to load skeet and trap loads when I was a teenager, but that was a long time ago and I never loaded buck before. I have the Lyman shotshell manual and I have 500 Federal Gold Medal ribbed 12 ga 2.75 once fired hulls on the way from Pap Charlie's. As of now I am planning on starting with #1 buck, but I have not purchased any let. These are not for hunting, but I would like to make quality loads. I have a couple of questions that I was hoping some old hands could help me out with.

1) Conventional wisdom seems to be that buffered loads will yield tighter patterns. Surprisingly, I have not been able to find any factual testing to back this up. I am not doubting it mind you, I just wanted to see some testing results to back it up. Thought for sure I could find something on YouTube, but nada. So, anybody here ever seen or done such testing. Is fooling with buffering worth the effort and extra expense?

2) other than the Lyman shotshell manual, can anybody point to other good sources of load data using Federal Gold Medal hulls for #1 buck? Anybody have a good load they could share?

Thanks in advance.

 

[IMtheNRA]

Hodgdon site has buckshot load data - good luck and have fun!

 

[Gadawg88]

Unfortunately, not for Federal Gold Medal hulls.

 

[blarby]

For the gold medal hulls, the lyman manual is going to be your best resource.

As to the buffer- generally buffered loads prevent shot deformation, and result in tighter patterns as a result.

Buckshot patterning is worse than birdshot patterning though- you'll be doing a LOT of experimentation to find something that works best for you.

The important question is what is the buck going to be used for ? Thats going to guide a lot of the process, and I'd be happy to help in any way that I can !

 

[Bopleo]

I am taking the plunge into shotshell reloading, specifically buckshot loads. I have an appreciation already for the inherent differences from metalic reloading which I currently do for seven different calibers. I used to load skeet and trap loads when I was a teenager, but that was a long time ago and I never loaded buck before. I have the Lyman shotshell manual and I have 500 Federal Gold Medal ribbed 12 ga 2.75 once fired hulls on the way from Pap Charlie's. As of now I am planning on starting with #1 buck, but I have not purchased any let. These are not for hunting, but I would like to make quality loads. I have a couple of questions that I was hoping some old hands could help me out with.

1) Conventional wisdom seems to be that buffered loads will yield tighter patterns. Surprisingly, I have not been able to find any factual testing to back this up. I am not doubting it mind you, I just wanted to see some testing results to back it up. Thought for sure I could find something on YouTube, but nada. So, anybody here ever seen or done such testing. Is fooling with buffering worth the effort and extra expense?

2) other than the Lyman shotshell manual, can anybody point to other good sources of load data using Federal Gold Medal hulls for #1 buck? Anybody have a good load they could share?

Thanks in advance.

Have your tried BPI? They have some loads using buffer in all gauges.

 

[RMc]

00B, 8 pellet, 2 pellets per layer stack pattern, buffered:


http://stevespages.com/pdf/imr_reloading.pdf

Note: Two pellet layers with .32-.33" buckshot inside a shotcup, provide room for the pellets to move during forcing cone and choke transit without pellet deforming radial compression. Make sure you use high antimony (3%+) commercial buckshot or your own hard cast pellets.

 

[oneounceload]

No matter which loader you use, you will most likely have to load the pellets by hand when you start getting into bigger shot sizes like buckshot, as they have a tendency to bridge in the drop tube.

Federal hulls are straight walled, so recipes using a straight walled hulls should be perfectly fine to use. Do NOT use recipes for tapered hulls (like Win AA or Rem STS)

 

[USSR]

Nah, it's not an addiction until you are casting your own buckshot. Suggest "0" buck; layers of 3 nest nicely in uncut shot wads.

Don

 

[blarby]

And if for some reason you cant get a perfect "0", this mould casts great spheres with almost the same perfect stacking patterns.

One of my cheapest moulds, but certainly the last I'd ever be rid of.

I've cast 1k's of these- and they work great in any 30 caliber round for plinking, too.

12 of them is by far my favorite buckshot load.

 

[USSR]

blarby,

I use the same Lee mould, only in size .319".

Don

 

[Gadawg88]

Thanks to all for the posts and info. It's probably going to be a while before I can get my hands on the right powder, but when I do I may have some more questions.