Casting and Loading the World's Largest Airgun Pellet for a 12ga Shotgun

[euler357]

About 2 weeks ago I bought a new shotgun (H&R Slug Gun) for deer hunting this year. Since I cast my own bullets for .308/.454/etc, I decided to cast the shotgun slugs that I would use also.

I bought the Lee Key Drive Slug mold first and got the components for it but despite trying multiple loads and several trips to the range, I couldn't get good enough accuracy from it (best ~ 4in at 25 yards).

Unfortunately, I was unable to find anyone online who had successfully loaded cast slugs in this gun (or other fully-rifled barrel guns) and have spent the past two weeks experimenting.

Finally, I determined that the Lee Key Drive slugs were just not going to be accurate in this gun and got the (much more expensive) Lyman 525 gr Slug Mold. This slug looks like the world's largest airgun pellet. I am extremely excited that I was able to find a load to get the attached 5-shot group!!!

Since I didn't find much info about this online, I wrote up the entire experience and included the load data on my website: http://cockrum.net/shooting.html

 

[dist1646]

Good group! Interesting idea, with the cost of premium sabot slugs, I can see where this could save a lot of $$$.

 

[hvymax]

I have been jacking around with 1000+gr slugs and have had stabilization issues. My next mold will be an overgrown version of this.

 

[euler357]

1000 grains? Are they contacting the barrel/rifling or inside of a wad/sabot?

 

[vafish]

I may have to get the Lyman mold.

I've been using the lee for a few months without real good results. Just a lot of flyers. I've been thinking of trying a 20 ga fiber wad under the lee slug. Some have reported better results that way.

 

[euler357]

Are you local to Baltimore? I could give you a dozen slugs to try.

Chris

 

[euler357]

Real-World Results with H&R Ultra Slug Hunter Deluxe Shotgun and Hand-cast Slugs

At 40 years old, this is my first deer. The slug hit just behind the right front leg about 2" below the spine and exited low just in front of the left rear leg (you can see the exit wound in the photo). The shot was about 60 yards down a 20 degree slope. The slug obviously had enough energy but more expansion (or compensating for the slope more to hit a couple of inches lower) would have dropped the deer much faster. He ran for about 200 yards up the other side of the valley and over a ridge.

 

[dist1646]

Congratulations on your first deer.

 

[euler357]

Thanks

 

[hvymax]

1000 grains? Are they contacting the barrel/rifling or inside of a wad/sabot?

I was still using wads for sabots like I do with the Lees. This might be part of the issue. At about $120 a mold I might try to go larger in diameter and trim the petals off of the wad.

 

[euler357]

If you were closer to Baltimore, I'd make the mold with you (2 copies, of course). I have a small CNC mill and a lathe in my basement. I've never done a bullet mold before but have seen some Youtube videos about it.

 

[BLACKTALON]

dose some lead go all in the deer?

 

[vafish]

dose some lead go all in the deer?

Slugs usually go in the deer, then out of the deer.

 

[vafish]

Are you local to Baltimore? I could give you a dozen slugs to try.

Chris

I'm a good hours drive from Baltimore.