Thread: 12ga Slugs

Anyone here reload 12ga target or birdshot with home-cast slugs (thinking Lee 7/8 or 1oz slugs), I know there's a ton of info out there on the net, just wondering if anyone around here was into it?
I'm into AKs and shoot a heap of cheap 7.62x39 at the range but wanted to try something different like a Saiga 12 and have some fun with slugs.

Someone else here was asking the same thing not long ago. I think it was Tertle...

Cheers, I did try a search first but didn't find anything relevant

If it is any help. I was loading 1oz Lyman slugs in 12g. I was using a standard shotgun press set up for birdshot (lead) and instead of the 1oz shot I loaded the 1oz slug. The slugs looked more like a large air rifle pellet and seemed to work Ok, but accuracy was only really effective to a range of about 50 metres.

I've done it, went out and brought about 6 different boxes of 1oz target shells, took out the shot and used it to cast 1oz slugs using the Lee mould, found which shot best and then did a slab of them (was Falcon Olympic 28 from memory).
Basically just picked open the star crimp, poured out the shot, used it to cast the slugs, trimmed off about 2/3 of the star crimp, used a socket to press the remaining flap back in (sort of like a budget roll crimp) then pushed the slug in - sits in there quite firmly, although have only used in a 870 pump action not sure if a semi would move them around.
Accuracy wise they were OK to about 50mtrs, good enough for fun on the range and alot cheaper than buying slugs (depending on how much you value your time at) all in all was fun and will do some more over winter I reckon

Ben-tard that's exactly what I was after! I have an 870 myself so will have a go and perfect this method as you have described.

Hmmm have brought a few slugs in the past, expensive much! Was watching a fellow in the us lasting away with his 870 with slugs having a hoot of a time, might look into this over winter myself. Often wondered how slugs would go on whitetail.... Not on doc land obviously

Originally Posted by Ben-tard

I've done it, went out and brought about 6 different boxes of 1oz target shells, took out the shot and used it to cast 1oz slugs using the Lee mould, found which shot best and then did a slab of them (was Falcon Olympic 28 from memory).
Basically just picked open the star crimp, poured out the shot, used it to cast the slugs, trimmed off about 2/3 of the star crimp, used a socket to press the remaining flap back in (sort of like a budget roll crimp) then pushed the slug in - sits in there quite firmly, although have only used in a 870 pump action not sure if a semi would move them around.
Accuracy wise they were OK to about 50mtrs, good enough for fun on the range and alot cheaper than buying slugs (depending on how much you value your time at) all in all was fun and will do some more over winter I reckon

Did the same exactly but with a side by side shortened the barrels by 6 inches and fitted express sights. A poor mans double rifle.
Shoots both barrels inside 2 inches at 50 yds. Deadly for goats.

Originally Posted by Ben-tard

I've done it, went out and brought about 6 different boxes of 1oz target shells, took out the shot and used it to cast 1oz slugs using the Lee mould, found which shot best and then did a slab of them (was Falcon Olympic 28 from memory).
Basically just picked open the star crimp, poured out the shot, used it to cast the slugs, trimmed off about 2/3 of the star crimp, used a socket to press the remaining flap back in (sort of like a budget roll crimp) then pushed the slug in - sits in there quite firmly, although have only used in a 870 pump action not sure if a semi would move them around.
Accuracy wise they were OK to about 50mtrs, good enough for fun on the range and alot cheaper than buying slugs (depending on how much you value your time at) all in all was fun and will do some more over winter I reckon

Hey Ben where did you get the Falcon Olympic 28 from?

Sellior and Bellot does a slug load at $46 ish for 25 rounds. South Island these are available from Smiths City. Not sure but anywhere that carries Sellior and Bellot should be good. Slabs should be cheaper........

Thanks @7mmwsm i saw that hand roller crimper just yesterday on eBay, quite affordable too. I think I'll try a couple of boxes to get the hang of it and use on the 870, then when I get a Saiga 12 I'll do a couple of cases once I know what it will cycle well on, apparently they can be a bit fussy especially low brass loads etc

Originally Posted by leighos

Hey Ben where did you get the Falcon Olympic 28 from?

Gunworks

Originally Posted by Ben-tard

Gunworks

Nice one cheers!

Originally Posted by 7mmwsm

I did the same but used Gamebore EVO. Supposedly faster than Falcon etc. Cut the end off so the star crimp came off. Push the slug into the wad then roll crimp. Bought a cheap serviceable roll crimper from Russia (Ebay). Haven't run them over a chrony but they shoot ok in a 24 inch mossberg.

Thought about doing it this way but wasn't sure there would be enough shell left to do a roll crimp on. Will have to get a roll crimper and give it a go as prying open the star crimps gets to be a pain after a couple of boxes.
Not sure what speed the Falcon Olympics were doing but they had one of the higher advertised FPS of the stuff I tried, only really looked at around the $90 - $100 a slab mark. Being kiwi made nudged me in there direction

Yes I'd imagine prying open the crimp would get a bit tedious after a while. With 7mmwsm's method you could use this simple cutting device.
Mountain storm crimp cutter, I like his ingenuity
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cBYTndcNhm4/hqdefault.jpg