Reloading Slug

[Dangermouse]

I keep mentally wandering back to the idea of benchrest / prone slug shooting over 100 & 200 yards and maybe beyond if it became viable.
I like the idea of using a bolt action shotgun - not 12/20 bore rifle of which there are a few around - and am on the look out for a suitable Section 1 (thats the slot I have open). They are usually quite cheap as there is little use for them in the UK.

My question is can you use brass cases for shooting slug with normal shotgun powder - which I assume is Nitro based. I ask as I have done a (very) little research in to the availability of brass cases in 12/20 bore and have noted that black powder is mentioned but not Nitro.
Secondly, and really showing my ignorance, could you ever use a normal re loading press to reload cases of this size or would you have to have a SG specific press. I assumed the latter but then started to wonder if as I would not be needing the shot element - just slug, and I may not be crimping - I really do not know about that my research is in it's infancy, perhaps a normal press would suffice as I guess I am just making a 12/20 bore round of ammunition.
Thinking about it, if I did create a brass cased slug round, would there be any need for a wad?

Quite fancy a go at McQueens with this set up - feel sorry for the marker though!

DM

[phaedra1106]

Hi DM

You can use brass hulls but if you're going to load more than a few at a time they are expensive.

For any sort or quantity it's cheaper to use the usual plastic hulls and you can re-use them several times if you want to.

There are a number of options when it comes to slugs, best idea would be to PM Saddler.

For my own 12g I get hulls and slugs from Siarm in Italy, very cheap and fast TNT shipping at sensible prices, I'm currently using a Siarm 32gram slug with an attached plastic wad over 19grains of Nobel Sport GM3. Slugs are about 33p each.

I use the LEE Load-All II, very simple operation and only takes a few seconds to produce a nicely crimped shell.

[dromia]

Brass cases last well so long as you don't crimp them, I use waterglass as a sealer over the top wad. I have brass cases that have been fired half a dozen times, using BP and smokeless loads with no splitting, I did anneal them second time shot just in case.

You can get ordinary reloading dies to fit presses that are threaded for 1 1/4 - 12 thread like the RCBS Rockchucker, Redding Ultramag or the Lee Classic Cast press. The Lee loadall is functional and cheap however most of my 12 bore reloading has been done on the Lee Loader more than adequate for doing a couple of boxes for a Sunday bash at the clays. Also in the dim and distant past when I had need to load Brenneke slug it was all there was in the bothy and if my mind serves me correctly it worked well on that too.

I too have been mulling the possibility of Benchrest Shotgun.

[dromia]

BTW my starting point would be the Marlin Goose Gun for which I have a soft spot for. I've even shot flighting quail with one, great follow through once you get it moving. :lol: