Shadowdog
posted this
06 December 2013
I haven't much interest in tri-ball loads, but will probably end up either making some up someday, or buying some factory just to see what they do.
As for substituting ball/buckshot weight for weight in place of shot...Yes, I do it, with caution, using everything reasonably possible from the original published recipe, just substituting ball, or buck, (sometimes both) for the fine shot load. I ALWAYS use good Remington STS Premier, Federal Gold Medal, or the old style W-W one piece A-A hulls in 2.75” loads. Don't skimp and use cheap hulls! Next...Study!-Study!-Study! High-light the important stuff and read as many loading manuals as you can get your hands on! I have both the Lyman and BPI manuals, there's a lot of good things in them to read and remember. Compare similar recipes and load down slightly, then you may work back up to the published powder charge, I always load just a little light on the payload weight, and use a roll crimp when possible, (using new shells, or previously loaded roll crimped shells).
I do not shoot buckshot, ball, buck and ball, or slugs through a field barrel designed for bird shot with a tight choke. I value my Ithaca '37's very much and have 5 barrels for my “Magnum” Model which includes a rifled Deer Slayer barrel, a smooth bore Deer Slayer barrel, and a 20” "Trench” barrel. These are the barrels that are used for buck shot, buck and ball, ball, and slugs. The vent rib field barrels only get fed fine shot, BB-#8. I can say the same for my old Wing Master, only 2 barrels for it, a 28” vent rib modified, and a 20” smooth bore slug barrel. The Wing Master doesn't fit me like the '37's, but I respect it and use the proper barrel for the load.
Doubles and other non-interchangeable barreled guns...I have a new box of Remington 12ga. 3” magnum 00 buckshot, (15 pellet load, 1,225FPS) that states, “May be used with any choke, but best results with full choke.” That is a quote right off the Remington factory box. As for solid projectiles, push the payload through the barrel with a dowel, exactly as it would travel if shot, wad and all. If you have to beat it through, don't use it! It should slide through any barrel and choke restriction with less than 10-lbs of pressure on the rod.
Hope I didn't bore anybody!:D