changing shot in a factory shell

Jager

Jager

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So here I am again out in left field. My dilemma is I have a 20 guage that I want to shoot buckshot out of (for deer hunting it has to be 1 Buck or larger - BC regs) but the only 20 guage buckshot I've found is 3 Buck = illegal for deer.....so, I was thinking (I don't reload or know someone who does) about making some "frankenshells" but cutting the tips off some 20g shells and swapping in some 1, 0, or 00 Buck from a 12g.

So what do you think? Doable, stupid, dangerous? Any suggestions on a plug material to keep the shot from rolling out. What do the black powder guys do?

just some thoughts on a rainy day.
 
I'd ask the local store to get you some.

I'm no shotshell reloading expert, but I htink that if you changed the weight of the shot, you may get erratic recults.

Not to mention you may not get great patterns.
 
The big buckshot has to be layered in correctly to fit enough in......the dia. inside 20 ga. shot cup may not allow efficient layering, therefore not holding enough of the large shot. eg. 3 of 00buck layers in a 12 gauge shotcup for 3 layers and a total of 9 pellets, the 3 " will allow 4 layers for 12 or possibly 5 layers for 15 pellets. That means that 00 may only allow 1 pellet per layer in a 20 Gauge shotcup....get my drift!! You would have to play around with the diff. sizes of buckshot. Ive done this but, always loaded them the old way, without shotcups.
 
I think your playing with fire. Payload not the same anymore,could be dangerous. Practice with slugs my smooth bore modified choke mod 870 shoots standard 1 oz slugs pretty well out to 75 yards.
 
Don't do it, you're just asking be be an accident waiting for a place to happen.

Winchester only make #3 buck, but Federal make #2 buck. 18 pellets. Stock number P258.

The Lyman Shotshell Reloading Manual only lists #3 buck for their loads.
 
RePete said:
Don't do it, you're just asking be be an accident waiting for a place to happen.

Winchester only make #3 buck, but Federal make #2 buck. 18 pellets. Stock number P258.

The Lyman Shotshell Reloading Manual only lists #3 buck for their loads.
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Ditto plus one do not do it:slap:

Jamie
 
Are you allowed to use slugs Jager? If so why not forget about buck shot and go with a slug. I don't deer hunt, as we don't have any in Newfoundland, but I would imagine that a slug would be a little more practicle, no?
 
What Gatehouse said....Van Isle - no single projectile allowed in certain areas. It's not a big deal as I have a 12g I can use, however it would be nice to be able to take out the 20g as well. I just wanted some feedback.
 
If you change the size of the buckshot you will have to match the wads/below shot cards, since you do not know the receipe used I would avoid doing it.
 
Go ahead give it a try, just remember to weigh the pellets so the load is the same weight, you may have to add some buffering material. What you want to do crertainly isn't dangerous.FS
 
Fassteel said:
Go ahead give it a try, just remember to weigh the pellets so the load is the same weight, you may have to add some buffering material. What you want to do crertainly isn't dangerous.FS
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Don't do it, the shot characteristics will change with the larger shot.

Fassteel:

Are you going going to take FULL RESPONSIBILITY for any mishaps that Jager has?

If not, don't give this type of advice.
 
Shot characteristics? Now theres a term I'm not familliar with. Perhaps you could explain, the only difference will be how it patterns, if thats what you mean.So if have a shotshell loaded with number 6 shot and I take out and put in the same weight in BB, you think I am endangering my self?
 
about making some "frankenshells" but cutting the tips off some 20g shells and swapping in some 1, 0, or 00 Buck from a 12g.
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This is the part that worries me. If you could properly open the shell and if you can re-crimp using the same weight of shot and the if wad is suitable.

Sounds like you had better get to know someone who reloads.
 
Assuming that the shell is originally loaded with lead shot, any buckshot which would occupy the same space would weigh a lot less. This would certainly affect how the shell would function, pressure levels, etc. As has been mentionned, buckshot stacks in layers. Doubt that this would be the case with larger buckshot in a 20, which is why the factories only load the smaller buckshot. I doubt that enough larger buckshot could be loaded into a 20 to make an effective load - too few pellets, with terrible pattern density. Shells would have to be opened and recrimped. The crimp also affects the operation of the shell, so if you do want to go ahead with 20 gauge buckshot, it would be much better to start from scratch with handloads.
I think that exchanging buckshot for small shot in a factory shell is not a good idea.
 
Fassteel said:
Shot characteristics? Now theres a term I'm not familliar with. Perhaps you could explain, the only difference will be how it patterns, if thats what you mean.So if have a shotshell loaded with number 6 shot and I take out and put in the same weight in BB, you think I am endangering my self?
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You are changing the way the shot runs through the choke.

You are changing the pressures.

As far as endangering yourself, I don't care, I care about the other people you are endangering by giving unsound advice.

Do you have access to pressure test equipment etc?
 
Penny wise and Dollar stupid.
You want to save a couple of bucks by home brewing/screwing with factory ammo.
Don't you think there is a reason why the ammunition manufacturers don't load larger sized buckshot in the 20ga.? It's because you can't get enough of them in the shell.
Spend some money where it counts, buy a 12ga. and some 00 bucksot.
 
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