12 Gauge Target Loads Into 00 Buckshot?

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GreyHat

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I was wondering if it would be possible to remove the shot from cheap target/skeet loads and replace it with slingshot ball bearings. I'm assuming that if you used the same weight of shot that the target loads were designed for it wouldn't cause any problems?

That said I've never done any reloading because the whole process seems a bit beyond my confidence in my own abilities. :eek:

Basically what I wanted to do was buy a case of target loads. Pry them open. Pour the light shot out and replace it with slingshot ball bearings. Re-crimp them. Then use the loads on the range for home-defense type practice.

All I need is one of you wise fellows to tell me if this might result in my Mossberg's barrel banana-pealing, and permanently attaching itself to my head. :dancingbanana:
 
I checked some reloading places and they offer lead 00 buck for decent prices in bulk. Would this be an OK solution for a practice load at the range? I want to be able to see what my pattern is, but would rather not pay for quality shells.
 
GreyHat said:
I checked some reloading places and they offer lead 00 buck for decent prices in bulk. Would this be an OK solution for a practice load at the range? I want to be able to see what my pattern is, but would rather not pay for quality shells.
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You can't pattern a shotgun with one brand of shells and expect the same pattern from another brand. They most often will not pattern the same due to differences in velocity, lead hardness, shell composition, etc.
 
We had a similar thread here last week where a guy wanted to melt down trap loads and make slugs out of them. If you must mess with factory ammo(I don't know why they put all those big warning signs on ammo and firearms) then I suggest you buy bulk buckshot and leave the slingshot stuff for slingshots. For $100.00 or less you can set your self up with a "LEE" shotgun loader and components and load buck and ball till the cows come home. I know there will be some wanna-be will disagree with me because he's done this type of reloading a thousand times and as soon as he gets out of his parents basement he's gonna go far. Unless you are a seasoned reloader I suggest leaving factory ammo as is. There is lots of info and real experts here that will help you get set up for reloading that is safe and economical.
 
I would think messing around with factory ammo and introducing projectiles that it was not intended to use is a KB waiting to happen, even if you keep the overall projectile weight the same.
 
"Slingshot ball bearings"? As in steel ball bearings? ABSOLUTELY GUARANTEED TO RUIN YOUR GUN. PERSONAL INJURY MIGHT BE A BONUS.
If you want to handload buckshot, by all means do so. Use real buckshot, and loads intended for buckshot.
Just out of curiosity, why would it be necessary to use improvised bickshot loads to practice with? They would not perform like the real thing. Practice with the trap loads all you want, and then with some real buckshot loads to get an idea of how they work.
 
sounds like a Darwin award in the making....

Steel is NOT the same ballistically as lead. Pressures would be extreme with the substituted "buckshot". Bursting your barrel or action kinda ruins your whole day!

Steel ball bearing will ruin the bore and choke of your gun even if it doesn't blow up first.

You will not be able to put a decent crimp back on the pried-open shells.
 
tiriaq said:
"If you want to handload buckshot, by all means do so. Use real buckshot, and loads intended for buckshot.
Just out of curiosity, why would it be necessary to use improvised bickshot loads to practice with? They would not perform like the real thing. Practice with the trap loads all you want, and then with some real buckshot loads to get an idea of how they work.
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Exactly...do all your drills with Walmart brand ammo and finish off with a couple of rounds of what you expect to use.
 
Perfect, thank you all for some very sage advice. I will save my gun barrel and the front part of my head by continuing to practice with the walmart stuff. Followed by a handful of the real stuff. That was a good idea, thanks ipsgraz.

I'm going to do some pricing, and maybe invest in some reloading equipment. I'm young enough that it should more than pay for itself in the long run. Plus it kind of sounds like another fun part of the shooting hobby. Why does shooting stuff have to be so much fun?
 
Get a Lee Load All II and some components and reload your own "real" buckshot. You can also buy molds and cast your own buckshot from lead.
 
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