Well, well, what fun, I can see why so many enjoy shotguns the way they do, my first foray into casting and loading buckshot went off without a hitch, worked up what I believe to be a very effective load using the 2-3/4 inch hulls.
Clear 2-3/4 inch Fiocchi hulls
24gr 800X
X12X over powder wad seated with 30 lbs compression
Twelve 000 buckshot pellets from a Lee 18 cavity mould, they mic .361.5 diameter, and weigh 69 grains each with 22 BHN alloy, very hard pellets.
A clear plastic over shot wad and I guess a 7 or 8 groove star? crimp.
The load clocks a sedate and easy on the shoulder 1189 fps.
Total payload for the load is 829 grains, or near two ounces.
10 and 20 yard patterns have to be seen to be believed, the factory full choke tube oddly enough patterned the tightest over the Improved Cylinder and Modified tubes, our friend Digital Dan may post up some pics later.
I wanted to build a max payload shot shell on the 2-3/4 inch hull using hard shot for in and around the house for barriers etc, plus, looks like this load would be fine hunting deer or pig, or turning a large wild hog or bear in a defensive situation, after seeing what the shot charge did to the ground behind the boxes, I have NO doubt of it's effectiveness for the tasks at hand.
