Thinking of trying reloaded slugs

[M. Jager]

I recently picked up a rifled slug barrel for my nova. Still working through ammo testing, although I used the 3in 1 oz barnes expander load last weekend. Love that load but plan to test the high velocity expanders, and the win platinum tip and partition gold slugs in the future. The only thing I don't love is the cost of this jewels, so I was thinking of rolling some slugs of my own to use on closer in deer.
Lyman makes a 1 1/8 slug that loads in a double A type wad. Has anybody tried these through a rifled barrel? If so, how did they work? Also, is there any difference in pressure when going from shot to a solid projectile? I want to use longshot powder I have left over from working up some barn burner crow loads back in the day. Should I worry about creating more pressure when replacing shot with slug?
Assuming they are safe to load, shoot reasonably accurate and close to point of impact to whatever slug I use for longer shots (I know, thats alot of assuming) I would think that a 1 1/8 slug moving at 1535 fps would make a decent under a 100 yards deer load, and be alot cheaper than commercial stuff.
What do you all think? I love the accuracy and reach of the newer sabot slugs, but I cringe everytime I touch off a $2 or more a pop sabot at a deer I could easily take with my old smoothbore with fosters.

 

[Edward429451]

I haven't actually ever reloaded any slugs (or any SG shells) but I've looked into it and it does seem promising. Lyman sells a special crimper for 20 dollars (last time I checked) that gives you the round crimp with slug exposed. In addition to the lyman mould that you mentioned you may want to check out the Corbin "Pound Die" for slugs at www.swage.com it looked really neat. You got a base chunk of steel with a slug cavity in it, which you drop a (1 oz?) chunk of lead in and slip the steel follower/punch thing in behind it and pound it down with a hammer. Voila', slug with no heat. Foster type I believe but not positive. Worth a look.

 

[Dave McCracken]

Reloading saves money when one shoots in volume. I reload my clay ammo to shoot more for the same money. I shoot thousands of those a year, and a heavy year for slugs might see me go through 50.

IMO, it'd be hard to save anything rolling your own slugs,unless you shoot hundreds of them a month.

Upside, you may find a load that outshoots the factory stuff, but plan on plenty of benchtesting.

Also, all 3" slug loads do that the 2 3/4" ones won't is burn up your discretionary income faster.

I've known folks who have used that Lyman slug in homemade deer loads. They've reported results from a waste of money to pretty darn good. Ballistic Products carries the mold and may sell the slugs also.

If you do this, I cannot recommend enough that you stick to established and published data.

I suggest checking out CTD, Ammoamn, Midway,etc for sales.

HTH...

 

[Poodleshooter]

I cast Lee 1oz 12 gauge slugs. I can't make them for less than $1.25 per box of 5 due to the high cost of the large amounts of slow powder required to get the 1400-1500fps velocities. Several folks here cast the Lymans and have had mixed reviews. Buying slugs is an option, but data is scarce (as are the slugs-pretty much just ballistic products). Also, the prices for those cast slugs tends to exceed that of factory rifled slugs.
I've heard of very few folks getting better accuracy with reloads than with factory sabots. The accuracy in my Mossy 500 is comparable to Remington rifled slugs. I recently found Remington slugs on sale for $.99 per 5 at a local Galyans, where I picked up about $10 worth That's definitely an option to save money!
My rifled barrel has never even SEEN a sabot slug. I just won't pay that much for single shots.
If you're interested in what they look like, do a search on my name and "slugs" in this forum and the reloading forum. I've posted about it a few times.

 

[BillL223]

I reload the Lyman 525 gr slug for 3-Gun comps. It works very well in my smoothbore. I found the Win F114 wad worked better then the AA when reloading AA shells. Lyman has load data in their Shotgun Reloading Manual. I use Hodgdon Univeral Clays but only load to 1250 fps. I buy the slugs for $4/25.

 

[M. Jager]

Bill,
If you would, where are you finding them for $4 for 25?

Dave,
Check prices on sabot slugs next time you are in whatever "mart" you happen to shop. At 10 bucks a box its shouldn't be hard to save some money buy reloading if you can get accurate reloads. I can see many reasons to shoot 3 inchers when using sabot rounds. They are readily available from my local Walmart which is a big plus. Secondly, they allow you to shoot a full 1 once slug at the same velocity you would get with 2.75 inch foster slug (around 1600 fps depending on brand) Last, the 3 inch versions may shoot better in you gun as some companies load different (lighter weight) slugs in their 2.75 inch offerings. Lastly, the price difference between 3 inch and 2.75 sabot slugs is virtually nil, maybe a dollar a box if that. For rifled slugs, I would agree there is no real advantage to three in slugs. For sabots, I would say there is no disadvantage to them, so use what your gun and you prefer.

On a last note, my buddy has some expanders and platinum tips that we dug from a dirt birm we used sighting in, and a expander we recovered from a dirt. I will post pictures of them was soon as possible, very impressive.

 

[Dave McCracken]

MJ, you may have a point. I don't keep tabs on sabots because I don't use them.
If I did, use would have to be 100 rounds a year or better before I started loading them.

As for 3" vs 2.75", if it works fine. Most cases, the shorter shell does the job and runs a bit less in price. And, I've filled the freezer with plenty of stuff taken with 1300 FPS loads. No need for a flatter trajectory when brush hunting.

The .690 round ball loaded into a standard wad load seems to not be accurate at any range, though effective enough when it hits. Too bad, it's simple and easy...

Best thing I can say here, if it works go for it...