Lee Load-All and Slugs?

mmattockx

mmattockx

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I would like to shoot slugs on a semi-regular basis from my 18.5" 870, but the price for slugs is as ridiculous as factory rifle ammo. Considering how cheap the Load-All is, it would pay for itself in a summer of playing around with slugs.

The question is - will it load slugs properly? Can I do a roll crimp with it, or simply do a standard crimp over top of the slug?

Thanks,
Mark
 
Buy a simple roll crimp tool from the Ball. Pro. rep. in Alta., Will Bilozar or some such, use a drill press or hand drill for perfect roll crimps everytime. The rule of thumb that i use is if there is enough plastic(over 1/4") use the star crimp on reloader, if your load doesn't leave that much extra; use your roll crimper. I prefer to use the drill press for a more even roll crimp.
 
ben hunchak said:
Buy a simple roll crimp tool from the Ball. Pro. rep. in Alta., Will Bilozar or some such, use a drill press or hand drill for perfect roll crimps everytime. The rule of thumb that i use is if there is enough plastic(over 1/4") use the star crimp on reloader, if your load doesn't leave that much extra; use your roll crimper. I prefer to use the drill press for a more even roll crimp.
Click to expand...

Ben, aside from the roll crimping issue, the Load-All should handle slugs just fine? It has been many years since I loaded shotgun shells, but I assume I would load as usual up to the point of seating the wad, then just insert a slug and seat it lightly using the Load-All (or fingers if they go in that easily), then crimp? I loaded thousands of rounds when I shot trap years ago, but have never tried loading slugs before.

Mark
 
I tried some slugs recently for the first time,(lee 1 oz slugs and a loadall) and I had to put the slug in the wad and then seat it. I tried putting the wad in first,but there was no forcing the slug past the petals on the wad,it was constricted too much. You will have to play a bit to get the feel of how far to seat because you can push it way too far with the slug inside.:redface:
 
MM,

The Lee Load-All works fine for me when loading slugs.

You deprime, prime and drop the powder charge as usual and then you have a choice as to how to place the slug.

I've been using the Lyman 525gn Sabot Slug inside a WAA12R wad. With this particular slug you can either put the slug in the wad first and then push them both into the shell using the loader or you can seat the wad first using the loader and push the slug in afterwards also using the loader, then just star crimp. You need to learn how much wad pressure to apply but that comes quickly

It works great and you're right, a very inexpensive way to enable you to load slugs.

Lately I've been charging the powder using my Chargemaster because it's so much easier to make a change if you want to.
 
I using the Lee load all, it will do slugs easily. However when I get good hulls from the range, I slip the wad and the slug in by hand. The only issue with the load all is you can easily compress the wad causing you to ruin your crimp. I use the loadall to push wads into hulls that have been shot several times where the crimped ends make it hard to push the wad in by hand. The key to using the loadall is that it takes very little force to crimp the hull. I am using pink wads which are a tad short for the winchester hulls I using. I cut out carboard discs and put 2 of them into the wad cup, slide that into the hull, then the slug sits on the carboard. The final crimp should be flat on the top similar to the crimp on a hull full of shot. There will be a small hole (2-3mm) in the centre where you can see the slug.
 
Thanks for the info gentlemen, it was what I was hoping to hear.

Now, as a follow on question, do I simply take 1oz shot charge loading data and substitute a slug, or is there separate data for loading slugs using standard wads? I guess I will have to buy a shotshell reloading manual to go along with the Load-All and take a look. Any recommendations for a manual that has lots of slug load data?

Thanks,
Mark
 
mmattockx said:
Thanks for the info gentlemen, it was what I was hoping to hear.

Now, as a follow on question, do I simply take 1oz shot charge loading data and substitute a slug, or is there separate data for loading slugs using standard wads? I guess I will have to buy a shotshell reloading manual to go along with the Load-All and take a look. Any recommendations for a manual that has lots of slug load data?

Thanks,
Mark
Click to expand...

The Lyman book has lots of slug data.
The Hodgdon / IMR / Winchester data site does as well.
 
I am currently loading my 525 grain Lyman slugs with the lee load all. They are pure lead and I use them in a 2 3/4 inch AA. It does a very nice job and gives you a folded crimp. Just don't put too much pressure or it will deform the plastic wad cup.

As to saving money. Yes if you load for them regularily. And I am getting 1350+ fps.

Send me a pm for a copy of the load tables I am using.
 
You will typically find the Slug and Buck load data to be "hotter" than most birdshot loads of the same weight. More powder and or different powder types.
 
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