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Posted: 8/28/2010 3:44:08 PM EDT
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Picked up a melting pot and a Lee 1 oz. slug mold todayand tried my first ever attempt at casting. I think they turned out OK after having to throw many of the first ones back in the pot. Im going to be using AA hulls, WAA12SL wads, Winchester 209 primers and Accurate #5 powder (Its what I have on hand as of right now). The recipe calls for 38.5 grains but I will scale it back at first for a couple of loads. Im pretty green at reloading so I like to downsize my charges until I shoot a couple even though the book calls for a certain load.  
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Quoted: LOL!I swear if I see any more of these casting threads, I'm going to go purchase the stuff to do my own. Looks good to me OP. I know what you mean. Thanks to dear ARFCOM, I now have another sickness.  At first (this morning) I bought the mold and a Lyman ladle to just melt some shot and see how it goes. Oh, I forgot to add, I work at a non-ferrous scrap yard and I have a lot of lead at my disposal so I brought home ummm A LOT. I melted a couple of ladles full of shot and poured a couple of slugs and thought, COOL! I then returned to Cabelas and bought the melting pot and away we went. A couple of hours later I have 207 slugs. I have a total of about 90.00 in the pot, mold and ladle. Thanks arfcom you bastards!!!!!!!!  Looks good. I picked up one of the 7/8oz lee molds. Have all the components but the powder. Range report por favor. skink |
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Quoted: VRMN8R are you going to be shooting those slugs out of a smoothbore or rifled barrel? I'm curious what type of accuracy out of a 25 yard range. I cast buckshots but been conteplating with Lee slugs. Smoothbore. I dont really know what to expect for accuracy though. Ive read good and bad things so its a crap shoot. Just been wanting to cast some slugs for a while now. Hopefully it wont be too long before I can get them loaded and to the range. |
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Quoted:
I swear if I see any more of these casting threads, I'm going to go purchase the stuff to do my own. Looks good to me OP. I just got in another hollowpoint mold. It's the hollowpoint version of the 429421, in a 4 cavity cramer style. Goes well with my 4 cavity cramer style HP version of the 358429.  Unfortunately, I don't have time to use them. 
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I use the 7/8 oz slug and HS6 powder.
I have cast and shot well over 700 already. 25 yds I can hold 2" groups out of my Mossberg 590. 50 Yds it opens to3-4" 100 Yds will get me 6-8" groups. Not too shabby for a non rifled barrel. OP...enjoy this. It is a lot of fun
Plus, you can stock up on ammo for the pending Zombie invasion. Nothing stops a MZB like a slug to the head. 
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Quoted: Shotgun loads should be followed exactly, they are not like rifle and pistol loads where you work up from a starting load. If you choose to do this anyway, check the bore after a shot, to be sure it isn't obstructed. Your slugs look good. Thank you for that advice. I just tried running a shell through the loader (Lee Load All II) The load called for 38.5 but the bushing close enough was 38.9, the next bushing down is 37.1 With that charge my wad and slug is nowehere near where it needs to be after the crimp. I think I will be getting some HS6. It seems its what many people are using. I wanted to refrain from buying more powder right at this moment but, off to Cabelas I will go. If anyone has any suggestions, Im open. THANKS!!!!! |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Shotgun loads should be followed exactly, they are not like rifle and pistol loads where you work up from a starting load. If you choose to do this anyway, check the bore after a shot, to be sure it isn't obstructed. Your slugs look good. Thank you for that advice. I just tried running a shell through the loader (Lee Load All II) The load called for 38.5 but the bushing close enough was 38.9, the next bushing down is 37.1 With that charge my wad and slug is nowehere near where it needs to be after the crimp. I think I will be getting some HS6. It seems its what many people are using. I wanted to refrain from buying more powder right at this moment but, off to Cabelas I will go. If anyone has any suggestions, Im open. THANKS!!!!! If it's too short, insert a shot card under the slug to increase the column height. The shot card will also prevent the wad from being wedged into the base of the slug and degrade accuracy. ETA–– use a 16ga shot card. They are offered in different thicknesses. Ballistic Products makes them. |
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Quoted: I did a little casting myself the other day.First time in over 16 years i'm sure. You mentioned the first few went back in the pot.Probably cause until the mould gets some heat in it they turn out a little funky. http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n225/texjames/20ae0a88.jpg Those are PERTY!!! I thought I had the mold warm enough, alas, I didnt.  If it's too short, insert a shot card under the slug to increase the column height. The shot card will also prevent the wad from being wedged into the base of the slug and degrade accuracy. Well, I went down and did some looking.ETA–– use a 16ga shot card. They are offered in different thicknesses. Ballistic Products makes them. I was setting the slug and wad too hard (somewhat crushing the legs on the WAA12SL wads). I thought it was the little fingers that help guide the wad in place were just tight. NOPE, set them too far. |
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You can "adjust" a powder die with some masking tape. Wipe off powder dust so the tape will stick.
Take a powder die that throws too large of a charge, and line the inside of the powder die with the tape. I suggest 1/2 way around to start. Throw some charges and weight them, it's a try it and measure the charge kind of thing. Adjust the tape as needed to get the charge desired. |
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Quoted:
I just tried running a shell through the loader (Lee Load All II) The load called for 38.5 but the bushing close enough was 38.9, the next bushing down is 37.1 With that charge my wad and slug is nowehere near where it needs to be after the crimp. I think I will be getting some HS6. It seems its what many people are using. I wanted to refrain from buying more powder right at this moment but, off to Cabelas I will go. If anyone has any suggestions, Im open. THANKS!!!!! Is that the MAX load? Are you quoting the LEE instruction manual? If so, I believe that is the MAX load recommended for that combination....Look at the top of the column the charge weights are listed under. |
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Quoted: You can "adjust" a powder die with some masking tape. Wipe off powder dust so the tape will stick. Take a powder die that throws too large of a charge, and line the inside of the powder die with the tape. I suggest 1/2 way around to start. Throw some charges and weight them, it's a try it and measure the charge kind of thing. Adjust the tape as needed to get the charge desired. Good tip. Obviously I didnt think of that huh? Thanks! |
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Quoted: According to the sheet that comes with the slug mold, the largest bushing I can use is the 141 bushing. That bushing measures 37.1 gr. The next bushing up measures 38.9 and I am understanding that I shouldnt go that high.Quoted: I just tried running a shell through the loader (Lee Load All II) The load called for 38.5 but the bushing close enough was 38.9, the next bushing down is 37.1 With that charge my wad and slug is nowehere near where it needs to be after the crimp. I think I will be getting some HS6. It seems its what many people are using. I wanted to refrain from buying more powder right at this moment but, off to Cabelas I will go. If anyone has any suggestions, Im open. THANKS!!!!! Is that the MAX load? Are you quoting the LEE instruction manual? If so, I believe that is the MAX load recommended for that combination....Look at the top of the column the charge weights are listed under. I dont know if .4gr is chancing it or not. |
| One little tip though, if anyone else plans on getting into casting. Start to get a line on getting WW lead so this way when you actually start to get the rest of the equipment you have something to work with. Even if you decide not to cast then you could always seel them to one of us. |
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So I got bored and made some more slugs. What am I going to do with almost 400 slugs? How much would slugs sell for? I guess I need to cast something else one of these days. what kind of lead? those look real nice. i have to run my slug mould hot to get them to not stick what kind of lead it is. After I fill the mold, I pull it away from the pot and gently tap the mold on the table, it seems I get a smoother finish when I did that. (maybe not) |
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