Hello!

This is my first post on this forum and im hoping somone here can help me!

Also not sure if this is the correct place to post this, but it's questions on slugs i am casting myself so i figured it might fit...


I’m trying to find a 20 Gauge slug that I can reload that will have some accuracy.

I've tried the Lyman sabot a while back and didn't have much luck with it, I've since sold it.

I got into 12 Ga using the Lee slug and I am pleased with it, it's not the best slug I’ve used, but when I take the price into consideration I can live with losing the accuracy at further ranges.

Looking into loading the 20 again I'm trying to find a slug I can use and load for cheep. The Lyman sabot (and other commercial rounds I’ve measured) have all been about .576 diameter.

I got my hands on a 350 grain .58 Lee Real mold. It makes cast slugs with dimensions shown below in the pics.

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss296/Garrick_/58diaJPG.jpg?t=1239304742

Here is a better pic of the slugs.

http://i585.photobucket.com/albums/ss296/Garrick_/58picJPG.jpg?t=1239304802

For anyone not familure with the Lyman or lee slugs, they use standard shot wads, they is why they are smaller than typical foster type slugs. Since there is no lead to barrel contact, they are both also safe to use in fully rifled barrels, and the Lee slug states it is also safe for smoothbore.

Has anyone ever tried using this slug? Is the leading ring of .580 going to be to tight? I know the “rifled slugs” for smoothbores are actually there to allow for barrel/choke differences, and the fins (rifling) on the slug allow for the slug to be squeezed thru tighter barrels, so I’m thinking the rings on this .58 slug may act in the same way.

I’m not looking to damage my shotgun, or for a trip to the hospital over this.

I did allot of searching online and found this question asked many times, but never an answer.

I’m thinking of trying it first thru a 20 ga smoothbore, and then if that goes well then thru my rifled barrel.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!!


~Garrick_

Welcome to the forum. Rules are to join in be polite and have a good time (more rules in the General forum stickies).

You might PM (send a private message to) board member James Gates. His company does a lot of work developing high performance shotgun loads using cast projectiles. If he doesn't have any specific information for you, he may be able to offer advice in how you go about developing the round safely?

P.S., Include a link to this thread when you write him.

I'd like to follow this expiriment as well. I've been doing some shot gun slug reloading as well and would like to see some improvement in my results. I'm loading the Lee mold in 12 gauge and the Lyman in 20.

I read an article in Handloader magazine a few decades ago expirimenting with the 12 gauge smooth bores back then and they got best results and highest velocity with just a .620" round ball from a 12gauge smooth bore slug barrel.