#0 buckshot in a 30 cal rifle

[faif2d]

I have read this and have some shot coming, I was wondering if anyone on the board has done this and what their results were.

 

[Brad]

Pretty sure Khornet has done it. Can’t say what the results were.

 

[faif2d]

After asking the question (thank you Brad for the answer) I spent the afternoon going around the internet looking for info. While I did find some information there was some variance in the answers but not enough to make me concerned. I do have some #0 buck on order and already have the Bullseye powder so I will give this a go in the near future.

 

[Chris]

I stuck my toe in the water with the same project. #0 buck in an '06, my old Springfield. Bought a bg of shot dirt cheap and had to try something crazy.

I haven't got too far with it, but so far the load looks acceptable for my intended purpose which is fairly quiet backyard varmint control and grandson plinking.

I am using a Lee dipper for 2.7 grains Bullseye in an RP case with a CCI 200 primer. Toss the shot in some 45-45-10 liquid, seat in an unsized case with thumb pressure.

Shoots into 2" at 37 yards with aperture sights, I bet it will shoot better at 25. Have a buddy fooling with the same load reporting very poor groups at 50. Makes sense it is likely a short range proposition.

Noise-wise it is reasonably quiet, no supersonic crack in the report but it is not silent either. Neighbors will know a gun went off but might not hear it if they are watching TV.

I intend to continue as soon as I get a little time, hope to hear how it works out for you. Fun to shoot and a perfect load for the frugal.

 

[KHornet]

Roll them in Alox lube and let dry. 3-4 gr
of BE or Red Dot will work well for 30-30,
and are reasonably accurate to 25 yd.
Run the balls thru a 310 sizer, and crimp
litely. Recommend hand feeding in
lever guns.

Paul

 

[Bill]

Use 00 and push them through .310 die for a small driving band, you can even put a gas check on them

Bill

 

[nicholst55]

Several older gun rag writers used to relate shooting camp meat with buckshot over light charges of pistol/shotgun powders in their deer rifles. They never mentioned lubing or sizing the buckshot, as I recall.

I once tried using .451"~ish round balls in my 1911, thumb-seated over a light powder charge. I wasn't smart enough at the time to lube the ball, and got some leading. They were a hand-cycle affair, of course.

 

[358156 hp]

I never tried buckshot, but I have loaded 32 cal pistol bullets in 30-06 & 30/30. As long as they'll chamber okay they'll do well.

All the usual disclaimers apply....

 

[Chris]

Mine have worked well without sizing, but I did make one in the sizer with a gas check... neat looking little critter but for me defeats my purpose of keeping things simple.

I tested penetration. Near the muzzle it shot through 2" of pine and well into another inch board. This with 2.7 Bullseye.

 

[Sendaro]

I have loaded #00 buck in my Win 94 30-30 over 2.5 grains of BE with good results. I gave the mouth of the case a slight flair and seated the shot even with the mouth of the case leaving the mouth flaired to provide a better seal in the chamber. Then a dab of lube over the mouth of the case. Shot well and no leading. Low report level and good accuracy out to 25 yards and effective woodchuck killer at that range with a well placed shot.

 

[faif2d]

Got my "o" buck and miked a few of the pellets. They were from .316 to .320 in dia. I was amazed how round they were. I have some 45,45,10 lube and will give this a try the next time my son is up. I really think this will work. I will try around 3 grains of bullseye and see what it does. .025 for the primer, .012 or so for the powder and a few cents for the ball makes it almost as cheap as a .22lr.

 

[Kevin Stenberg]

Do round balls fly perty consistant. I would think even though they are spun by the lands and gruves. Their flight would be iratik.

 

[RBHarter]

Any RB I run with the idea of single projectile I run in a container in the case cleaner for an hour or so to hammer out the sprues , part lines and most if not all out of round . It makes a difference in C&B .

 

[KHornet]

Round balls with sprews can have the sprews
rounded out quite easily if rolled back and
forth between to small sheets of glass. Or
put in a small box with a glass bottom, put
the box in the trunk of your car for a week
or so, and they will roll round w/out the
sprew. Old muzzleloaders trick. But tis
easier to buy shot.

Paul

 

[Ian]

5-gallon bucket with tight-sealing lid, packed in the clothes dryer with blankets to hold it in the center of the drum, also works great for lots of things. Corn cob and brass, graphite and shot, round balls, etc.

 

[Rally]

Ian,
That sounds like cleaning traps in the dish washer!! Works well, but the wife isn’t thrilled.

 

[Ian]

Mine isn't exactly thrilled with me washing my ball caps in the dishwasher or red rags in the clothes washer either, but there are times she doesn't have to know

 

[Brad]

Or so you think.
They know, they always know. Sometimes they just keep quiet about it. They save that stuff for a later date when they want to score points.

 

[Rushcreek]

I have found that #1 Buck unsized but lubed works well for .30 cal. Store bought .310" balls as well. 00B works perfectly in 8x57mm unsized and lubed. Within 25 yards they are accurate enough to head shoot Ardillas from the Nueces trees.