T and F shot for the 8 ga

[Milton C Starr]

My T and F shot from BPI finally came in today the nickel shot is extremely smooth and round so is the super buck. I think the super buck is perhaps harder but im not sure on that. I know it is generally around 12bhn I havnt seen anyone report on the nickel plated shot. However the super buck can be heat treated easily to 20bhn if so desired. I decided to do one shell with a SP-8 wad as I have about 250 of them I havnt ever used. A 10 ga 1/4" fiber wad fits perfectly inside the SP-8 wad almost like they were made for each other. It puts the shot column at the perfect height for roll crimping, I didnt plan to use these too much because I dont know if they are going to be available again but I think it makes for a nice and simple load. Maybe next week I can get to the range and do some testing.

[charlie cleveland]

how many buck shot fit in the shell..makes a nice looking load in that clear Winchester hull...should be a good load for deer hog or coyote...or even for geese....charlie

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by charlie cleveland

how many buck shot fit in the shell..makes a nice looking load in that clear Winchester hull...should be a good load for deer hog or coyote...or even for geese....charlie

I did some reading recently about back in the lead days F shot was used on swans. Reason I decided to try it is because this nickel plated F from BPI specifically is what some of the coyote hunters use as a alternative to hevishot tss etc. I have seen it throw some great patterns out of the 12 and 10 gauge, actually further out than it probably should. For the deer and hogs I got some .358 round balls on the way and some .410" roundballs. The 358s for the 10 ga I believe these should be around 000 buck and the .410s for the 8 gauge I got the inspiration for those from Craigs posts about large buck in the 8 gauge.

I think the clear hull with the SP-8 wad and nickel plated shot makes for a pretty shell,Charlie heres a better look at the shell.

[6pt-Sika]

A lead .410” ball is about 90 grains a .415” ball is almost 100 grains . Either is loosely 000000 buck . Now I first started using the SP-8 wad and 8 pellets of .415” about 800 grains about 1 7/8 ounces . The loads I’ve been using recently hold ten of the .415” pellets or approx 2 1/4 ounces . To get ten in the shell I used the Gualandi wad it give a skoosh more room . And almost for got I put a scoop or two of Grex which “seems to help” . This concoction will probably work fine in the Winchester hulls but I’ve not tried it . I used brand new black REM hulls and roll crimped . Now bear in mind there isn’t any way in heck this is a quick operation and they’re always tight going in the gun . But they work ! To keep this from being a PITA when I do it I never load more than maybe a dozen shells .

[6pt-Sika]

Incidentally I have the Sharpshooter style mold that makes 16 of the .410” pellets at a time but after you get them out you need to go back when done and trim the sprue and I’m anal enough that I roll them to knock the edges off where I cut them with dykes . Yesterday I ordered two molds from a Russian based mold maker for .410” balls , each mold has four cavities with sprue plates . I’ve got a feeling while slightly slower initially they may save time in the long run not needing to use the dykes or rolling the pellets . Anyway the two molds from Russia are supposed to arrive here in mid February .

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by charlie cleveland

how many buck shot fit in the shell..makes a nice looking load in that clear Winchester hull...should be a good load for deer hog or coyote...or even for geese....charlie

Charlie I didnt count them but will tomorrow.

[Milton C Starr]

I wanted to ask about the Gualandi wads, im told they make 2 different ones the industrial wad and a sporting wad. I suppose thats why the ones bpi sells are .840 diameter and PRs I think PR .810. I have been staying at 1 3/4oz just to keep it easy on this old Belgian gun haha. First goal is to try and get a cleaner powder burn then see where im at with the patterns.

I bought 100 .358 and 100 .410 roundballs from track I dont need alot right now but I want to see how my 8 and 10 ga likes them. I will probably get a mould at some point since I havnt seen anyone with hardcast buckshot in those larger sizes. I read yesterday there are a few places you can send your cast buckshot to and they will nickel plate it.

[6pt-Sika]

Originally Posted by Milton C Starr

I wanted to ask about the Gualandi wads, im told they make 2 different ones the industrial wad and a sporting wad. I suppose thats why the ones bpi sells are .840 diameter and PRs I think PR .810. I have been staying at 1 3/4oz just to keep it easy on this old Belgian gun haha. First goal is to try and get a cleaner powder burn then see where im at with the patterns.

I bought 100 .358 and 100 .410 roundballs from track I dont need alot right now but I want to see how my 8 and 10 ga likes them. I will probably get a mould at some point since I havnt seen anyone with hardcast buckshot in those larger sizes. I read yesterday there are a few places you can send your cast buckshot to and they will nickel plate it.

BPI sells 0000 buck which is .38” . 000 buck is roughly .36” .

[Milton C Starr]

Originally Posted by CraigThompson

BPI sells 0000 buck which is .38” . 000 buck is roughly .36” .

I misspoke on the .358 round balls apparently I ordered the swaged Hornady 36 cal(.350) round balls instead which I guess is close enough. I have been watching this guy on youtube and pretty much all his videos are on odd size buckshot handloading and pattern testing. I may end up trying some 0000 super buck also.

[Milton C Starr]

Loaded up some .36 and .410 round balls for the 10 and 8 gauge. I've learned thin overshot cards sit somewhat cattywampus on the larger roundball sizes. However a 1/4" fiber wad will sit and roll crimp on the larger sizes better. I've been tinkering around with homemade shot cups also, hopefully I can get to the range this weekend do some pattern testing.