Getting Good Recipe Data For Our 7/8 oz Lee Shotgun Slugs And Discussions

This video is a response to Scott Hogan, a viewer who needs more loading data for the 7/8 oz Lee Key Drive slug. There isn't much out there, but we can find useful data along with discussions...slug shooting is a big part of the American shooting scene for many reasons.

[@spyderxtra777]

I use: Lee 7/8oz slug New primed cheddite 2-3/4 hull L078 Lightning wad 2x 1/8” nitro cards under the slug 29gr green dot Roll crimp Not as accurate as factory Foster slugs, but the recoil is less. Around that of a factory 2-3/4” 00 buck load. And they stay minute of milk jug out to at least 50 yards for me from my 11-87 police.

[@jacobackley502]

I do a similar load but with a 12s3 and longshot. Very easy to get up to 1700 fps with that light slug

[@MrExplorer1965]

What we REALLY need are high quality, !!20 GAUGE!! Components and data for all of us with the Amazing Savage 220, 20 ga, fully rifled, bolt action slug guns !

[@dubful1]

One of your best. I can’t thank you enough for the wealth of knowledge you have provided me and the community over the years. From metallic to now shotshell, I’m a better reloaded thanks to you

[@xarmcav2305]

I load the 7/8 oz Lee slug on 18.5 grains of Titewad powder. I use 3 cards cut out of beer cases and then whatever cup and high brass hull I have and roll crimp. I get paper plate accuracy at 50 yards with an 18 1/2 inch smooth bore with bead sight.

[@CanadAustralian]

Yess! Just what I was looking for, great help thank you

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Scott - Glad to help...Good shootin' to ya, Steve

[@paulchandler9646]

I am using Unique 22.9 grains same load for the Lyman 525 slug using the knock off AA12 wads with the petals cut back half way so the don't fold with the Lee 1 oz slug.It works .I wish there was data using Unique for the Russian hydrant slug because up to now their not to economical powder wise so some experimentation is in order.

[@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill]

Ive always wondered why no one makes a mold modeled after a regular foster slug. They are proven performers.

[@Mav8887.]

I've seen a few! None were American made. but it usually needs to be a 3 if not a 4 piece mold to create the rifling without swaging. facebook.com/bulletmold/ or as-molds.com. They make the best molds ever. The New one is called the Foster but no rifling! I Still want to try it out with the Azot wads. MY A.S. Molds .729 Pellet Slug is awesome. I wish FC45LC would try it!!!! Most Factory Foster slugs I've miced are .729 also... hollow base expands to fill that extra millimeter in our .730 bores. Extremely accurate

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

@@Mav8887. - I have been shooting the Russian Paradox, Hydrant and I have the mold that AS calls the Sh-Sh slug - haven't cast it yet. The Russians make excellent shotgun slugs. The secret is the bore riding slugs. Sticking slugs into trap wads is a jerryrig at best, not really a consistent answer. The .729 bore riding pellet slug is intriguing as well, but my Paradox mold shoots into a big one hole group at 50 yards...it's everything I need in a slug, and I can do variants of it with the different pins. Continued good shootin' to ya, Steve

[@Warptenlololol]

@@FortuneCookie45LC Hello FC, do you think a Russian slug (any brand, really) would fare well in a fully length rifled barrel? that's the only use I have left for my Lyman/Lee slugs: I can put them in a makeshift sabot to use the rifling in my 24" SX4.

[@tonsofgunsoffun8516]

@@FortuneCookie45LC where can I buy these Russian slug molds and integral wads?

[@nickolasthefrog]

I have trouble imagining it coming out of a mold so I assume Foster slugs are rifled in a second operation.

[@eduardomarin8625]

Love to get more loading data for the drive key slugs, Thank You

[@gman77gas]

Good to see ya back on KZbin!Happy Thanksgiving Steve.............

[@echosreloadingchamber7306]

Very cool video Steve, great information on reloading shotgun slugs using the Russian slugs and wadding, and the LEE slugs and wadding that you use. Perfect timing for deer season. By the way I did that Glock backpack review if you want to check that out. Take care and I hope you get a big buck or at least a doe this year. Echo

[@dragonaz7]

Thank you for all your information and Great Videos. You are Awesome my Friend.

[@nickjm37fordel1]

Hey Steve, thanks for tons of info :-)

[@jmartin9059]

*Thank YOU for the additional powder and wad choices... LEE data is somewhat limited...*

[@the_langss]

Thanks for the Video.....Great updates and information. Thanks so much...

[@nakoawarrior3186]

I tried the lee drive key slugs 50- 60 yards top's as I recall in a bullseye smooth bore,.... for a rifled barrel I let my brother shoot them he just said they were junk. That was with Ballistic products load data,...probably I bought their load data and tried different components,.......crimped and roll-crimped. The ones I tried last were WAA12 wads. I got a little better accuracy by warping the slugs with Teflon tape till the wad fit the shotguns bore you could hit out to 80 yards. I assumed lee slugs were under sized in-case you-shot them through a choked gun. But Winchester rifled slugs are the best that I have tried. I will have to try the other 3 Ballistic products slugs. I tried the .410 one the ball that sits on a cupped wad....far better than Lee slugs,........but rifled slugs are better? I'd Like to see video's with the AQ slug,......Thug slug,.......LBC sabot slug,.....DGS 12 slug,....DGS Thunder bolt Slug' I know a 12 gauge can cut holes that's what I like,......I want to be able to assemble my own,....even making the slugs have you tried Lyman slug molds or others that were accurate?

[@kylefraga4037]

Awesome!!! Thanks you so much, exactly what I was looking for. I ordered the Lyman manual last week but I will definitely get the BPI slug manual as well. I cast my first slugs this weekend and will try out the green dot recipe this weekend, if my Cheddite hulls arrive on time. Thanks again.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Kyle Fraga - Kyle, if you are casting the Lee slugs, they will give you 4-8" groups at 50 yards - average 5-6" groups. That is actually OK for deer and hog hunting if you stay inside 50 yards. But if you want to draw down and hit 'em just back of the eye or just at the back top of the shoulder or low shoulder (on hogs), you'll need 2-3" groups at 50 yards. The Russian or Italian slugs will give you that kind of accuracy. No slug that is to be put into standard trap wads will give you that reliable accuracy unless you have one of those isolated "magic barrels" out there. If you have a barrel that shoots that well with Lee slugs, never let that one go. I have shot the Lee slugs for many years - they are fun for 25 yard shooting, even target and recreational. But I've always told others that if you are hunting with slugs, just buy the factory slugs (they use factory only, bore riding slugs with mated proprietary wad systems designed to withstand the firing to yield accuracy and power). All the newer slug reloaders out there can bypass lesser performance and go directly to systems the rival the factory slugs - just get the Russian slug molds and collude with Russia..!! Happy Thanksgiving, Steve

[@kylefraga4037]

FortuneCookie45LC do you think it’s ok to swap out the Cheddite hull/primer for Fiocchi hull/primer on the 7/8 slug 29 gr green dot load, with same lightning wad?

[@craigschiller1599]

Excellent content & well presented. Very informative.

[@boomerrangerron]

And I love TAOFLEDERMAUS those guys are great! Officer Greg can handle any amount of recoil!

[@SirSloop1919]

I had poor performance with blue dot...unburned powder. I switched to herco with 7/8oz key drives and its greeaaat! These russian slugs are interesting, but last time I checked the wad cost was prohibitive for plinking loads

[@joeshirey5448]

Thanks for telling the truth .

[@ajcj1970]

I just started trying to load the 7/8 Lee key drive slug, 29 grain green dot load that you mentioned. My question is, do you think that swapping out the fold crimp for a roll crimp is unsafe in any way? It’s my understanding that doing so would actually lower the chamber pressure and possibly increase accuracy even though it might lower the FPS. Also, I am considering adding an overshot card under the slug for better wad separation. I would appreciate your thoughts on this. Thank you.

[@Fudmottin]

Awesome shoutout to Taufledermaus there. I love his work. Fine crew over there behind enemy lines.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Fudmottin - Actually, in the agricultural centers of the Central Valley of CA reside the conservative zones of the state. All the left are concentrated in the big urban cities of CA - LA, SF, Sacto, San Diego. Visalia is in the Valley - home of TAOFLEDERMAUS..!! Happy Thanksgiving, Steve

[@Fudmottin]

@@FortuneCookie45LC And to you too. I've seen a lot of States where the counties are like that with the "blue" ones being largely urban and the "red" ones being largely rural. I would say this is strong evidence for keeping the Electoral College. There is a movement out there to get rid of it so that every vote is "equal". The problem with that is the EC is one of the defining characteristics of a Republic.

[@rammbostein]

@@Fudmottin I'm living in LA and as a gun owner it is never fun, i have to time myself taking my rifles to my truck so neighbors don't see and freak out, sucks

[@Fudmottin]

@@rammbostein I can only imagine. In PA we are fighting to keep what we have. This virus thing isn't helping. HR7517 is out there. It hasn't been killed yet. The lines are being blurred.

[@johnblood3731]

lyman #3 has slugs, roundball and mini ball bullets for 20 gague. good stuff. you make such great videos.

[@makodra]

Good video, lots of info. Keep up the great work.

[@brentparsons2661]

I like the aa hull load that uses hs6. It’s really awesome and can get 5-6in groups at 100 yds using a 18.5in smooth bore bbl and a carlsons rifled choke tube. You definitely know when you shoot it though 😂

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Brent Parsons - I'm assuming that you are getting those 5-6" groups at 100 yds with the Lee slugs. If so, you have one of those "magic barrels". Never let that one go, Brent as most shotgun slug shooters are not getting that level of accuracy at 100 yds with the Lee slugs. Now with the Russian slugs though...we are getting that. Continued good shootin' to ya, Steve

[@kennethbailey2616]

Love your videos

[@mondo1003]

Thanks for this valuable information. My question is that the lighting wads are pretty hard to push through my barrel with a 7/8oz key drive slug. I worried about pressures being to high even though this is a popular wad. Thanks

[@darrellbridwell9136]

Qwwwwwwwq

[@paulscountry456]

I can remember shooting the old BRI sabot slugs from the 90s , they would penetrate through old v8 flywheels we had laying around not sure the composition of the slug.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Pauls Country - Yes, indeed...all these Russian and Italian designs have been around for decades. But here in America, all we shotgun reloaders had was smaller slugs designed to be put into trap wads (wads never designed for shooting slugs). The weakness of these systems were in the wads - the petals tend to strip off or the compression zones did not collapse reliably = causes slug deflection by gas blow by at the muzzle and therefore lesser accuracy. The US companies knew about the foreign designs, and produced bore riding designs for their factory loads including proprietary sabots so we had accurate and powerful factory ammo. But they never gave like designs for reloads, neither did they sell the factory components for reloaders to use. Now, we can get the molds from the Reloaders Network to do the accurate systems. Good shootin' to ya, Steve

[@paulscountry456]

@@FortuneCookie45LC great info you have on this topic, This may be of some interest , I noticed that the Lehigh Defender copper bullet in .355 65 grain is hollow somewhat like a foster slug design, I have been shooting these in my 226 in 357 sig in the Underwood factory round and have gotten great results, my question is do you think its hollow for stability or simply weight reduction or maybe to increase bearing surface? Have you any experience with these or the Penetrators?

[@Soulman-lb3gg]

Great info, as always FC!

[@paoemantega8793]

Another great video Steve - keep up the good work

[@PhilJLF]

Learn something new everyday, great content :) 👍👍

[@dontblink2782]

What's going on with James and the Reloaders Network? I can't find these molds anywhere now. Perhaps his "colluding" with the Russians caught up with him? I can't believe you said he's colluding. That literally means he is trying to take advantage of them in an unlawful or secretive way. LOL Great video and, as usual, are very informative. Thank you!

[@jungleno.]

For low recoil 7/8oz Lee slugs: Straight wall hull Fed 12so wad 16 - 17g Clays Any 209 primer Fold crimp Chronos about 1100 fps. Very pleasant to shoot You can substitute the Winchester waa12 gray, or pink wad and suffer very minor powder leakage. Not a big deal.

[@edg4980]

Put an over powder card to prevent the powder leak.

[@rfdsrd]

@@edg4980 Use a paper towel over powder wad, then push in the plastic wad.

[@samsamk9750]

Thanks for another informative video. I have asked you twice before (which I got no reply so far) and am asking you again to share some information and load data specifically for sabot slugs for rifled barrel shotgun. Thanks again for sharing these valuable information online.

[@archangel20031]

He lists just about all issues I found when I started loading slug rounds. I chose once fired Remington 1 piece hulls (STS, Gun Club, Nitro 27, Premier) as they appear to always be in stock in one form or another, have a good reputation for once fired hulls, and to not have to worry about potential base wad issues. I wonder how much a test barrel and the related equipment costs to pressure test when you fire a Shotgun Shell?

[@jungleno.]

I find the straight walled hulls work better with the Lee 7/8 Oz slug. Tapered holes tend to bulge when the slug is inserted.

[@ronaldbritton9705]

Those russian slugs, molds are expensive hard to find. Components expensive too. But only powder i have is long shot. Soooo i will look out for one of those powders. Unless you have a load with longshot

[@jacobackley502]

I'm a big fan of 12s3 and a 20 gauge fiber wad with the lee 7/8. I'll load them in cheddites with a standard 1 1/8 oz shot charge for whichever powder I'm using. Using the slower powders like longshot I can launch them at warp speed.

[@jungleno.]

7/8 oz slug is equivalent to 7/8 oz shot…not 1 1/8.

[@jacobackley502]

@@jungleno. it's considered safe practice to swap slugs for shot so long as the slug is equal or lighter than the shot so as to not increase pressure. Using a 7/8 oz slug with 1 1/8th data reduces pressure.

[@keystonecountryboy]

I need information on the savorg type in 16 gauge. Was going to buy the mold, and have been hesitant because I find nothing from anyone's experiences

[@bryantb3391]

I loaded them with 30grain longshot a piece of paper over the powder 22grains of cream of wheat a guilandi short shell wad (pre cracked the wad petals) 1/2 inch fiber wad .70 nitro card Lee 7/8 oz slug Have not been to the range yet for accuracy but ive shot this load with 50grains of longshot without the cream of wheat and at that speed was not accurate

[@ohiohomesteader4207]

Going to try that load.... longshot was the only powder available....how is the recoil at 30 grains???....I'm using a Remington 870 smooth bore barrel

[@bryantb3391]

​@@ohiohomesteader420730gr is very light but the short shell wad with longshot trimming the shell is the only way to get it to stack height cream of wheat caused hangfires *sirsloop* is the recipe I followed but he used herco or blue dot I think but I had longshot still havent got great accuracy but I haven't shot in a while

[@rfdsrd]

Great channel, just subscribed! Having reloaded for rifle/pistol for over 4 decades - black and smokeless powders - but I'm new to shotshell reloading. I have a Henry 12ga single shot and find it a bit hard to find good slug load data. I've got a Lee drive-key 7/8oz mold coming and already have Magtech brass hulls that I've primed with Federal LP primers. I also have BPI L078 wads and WST powder. Not for hunting, just for plinking fun with the most accuracy I can achieve. Would like your opinion on loading these components .... Is it best to just load the shell with powder, the wad with slug, and an over-shot card to retain the wad/slug? I would use glue or wax to retain the the load - I don't want to crimp the brass. Will the wad protect the bore from slug leading? If I loaded the brass with real black powder, and used Circle Fly wads instead of a plastic wad, and I powder coated the slug, would that eliminate or reduce bore leading? And lastly, I have cylinder, improved cylinder, and rifled chokes for the Henry - could I test all of them for accuracy to 50 yards? Much obliged!

[@boomerrangerron]

Great video and advice Steve! I’m using both BPI & Reloaders Network. James and I are corresponding frequently now and I’m glad to know that his dba Load of Bacon! I’m reloading some 16 GA slugs that look much like the LEE key slugs. Bought them years ago at a gun show for $1.50 for a box of 48. Have two boxes. At any rate they weigh 376 grains just shy of 7/8 oz. I’m using HERCO and Green Dot. I ordered the SP 16 wads and some nitro cards. Do you think they’ll work with the REO or FIOCCHI primed hulls?

[@maxwilliams7654]

Sir, I have a question ⅞oz keydrive slug. Lee provides a recipe for the remington sts hull with Win WST powder, Remington 209, L078 wad. I would like to know about primer substitution

[@thetruthserum2816]

F=MA ,Mass of projectile, then Hull and Wad "system", then powder shape, energy, and speed, then 209 or 209M, ; Baselines seem fine to extrapolate from, then chrono.

[@steveallen2610]

My question is that the lighting wads are pretty hard to push through my barrel with a 7/8oz key drive slug. I worried about pressures being to high even though this is a popular wad. Thanks

[@donmurrin5269]

Sir? How critical is specific 209 usage. I've got red dot. But the formula calls for different primers than I have?

[@rickdavid1795]

Good stuff Thanks

[@404Droid]

At 8:06 is that ramshot competition at bottom if not is there any data on that powder for 7/8 lee slug Thanks

[@404Droid]

@Garden * I hope so also I have 8lb of powder ordered

[@bravoactual5307]

Love your precise content as always. Where can we get mold and wad for that Russian. Ok I got excited and didn't wait.

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Shawn C - The Reloaders Network is the source, but they are currently sold out of some of the Russian molds. Happy Thanksgiving, Steve

[@josephtufts7649]

I’m looking for load data for 10 gauge slugs. I’m using the russian ASM mold

[@jonleone777]

Have you seen any data for these slugs with blue dot or unique. I new to shotshell loading and these are the powders i have.

[@skeets6060]

I have a question for you.. Since I cant find any other way to ask I will now. Someplace, yeas ago I read something about using .58 mini balls in a 20ga. I cannot find anything on this loading any place, so since you are about the only guy I can find on YOU TUBE that seems to know what he is talking about I ask. Do you or have you ever heard/done anything like loading a.58 mini ball or even a .58 round ball in a 20 ga

[@young_of_the_mill9560]

Do you load TSS?

[@dowdawg]

I need to make the switch, im still shooting the lee 7/8 with mediocre results

[@joelireland7736]

Where did you acquire the Russian slugs and load data ?

[@keystonecountryboy]

I have a request for slug molds for 16 gauge....wish lee made a mold for the 16

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

bcm - no such luck...the 16 is just too little in demand. Custom mold might be the way to go...Best to ya, Steve

[@williamcrawford7982]

Mr Lyman, 6th edition?

[@josephrevello6828]

Looking for info on using lee 1 oz drive key slug a fiochii 2 3/4 high brass hull what wad and powder combo would you suggest I’d like to use blue dot if you have any info thanks

[@sluggou812beotch]

Do you have any formulas for equating data? Starting from scratch stuff

[@kennethbailey2616]

Looks like the Russian slugs are superior to the Foster slug.

[@Mav8887.]

Especially the real Russian molds! .729 Pellet Slug!!! as-molds.com

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

Kenneth Bailey - Our factory Fosters aren't bad slugs. We can't buy those, neither can we cast them ourselves. All our home cast Fosters are intended to be put into trap wads= inconsistent jerryrigs - Factory Fosters are bore riders that have proprietary wad systems designed especially for their slugs = accuracy and power. The home cast Russian slugs are bore riders that have proprietary wads or we can screw attach the Russian slugs to wads = accuracy and power. Best to ya, Steve

[@kennethbailey2616]

FortuneCookie45LC I would suppose a rifled slug barrel might be the best way to go.

[@archangel20031]

The 7/8 oz Lee key drive Slug is better balanced than the 1 oz slug and will be more accurate.

[@louisdillon6247]

Can you use the L078 wad with federal gold hull

[@tomfletcher3817]

how did you make the super paradox?

[@ajaymadan3998]

Bad sound quality, please correct the sound.

[@jmartin9059]

*Importing ANYTHING as an end use customer... 2021 , 2022 and onward may no longer be possible. CUSTOMS is busily seizing imported items... before they arrive at our doors. As individuals... We have no way to pay the required import duties & taxes. For NON-payment of taxes and hidden or unpublished prohibitions US Customs will probably seize imported items.... SO, buy imported stuff from Importers & vendors that can get it into LOCAL warehouses... before we buy.*

[@escott3829]

Does Anybody Make a Special Russian Like Wad For The Lee 7/8 oz Slug?

[@klimatbluffen6856]

Hi do you have any loading data for Lee 255gr 45 Acp 🤔

[@jonbumcrot2934]

8.3 gr Blue Dot

[@mattgillespie5840]

Where can I get the Russian slug

[@brucelewis1017]

Where can I order those russian slugs and wads

[@rolandwbrewerjr]

whats the web sight for the russiabn moalds

[@FortuneCookie45LC]

roland - The Reloaders Network - do a search on that and then go to the store. They are currently sold out on the Paradox and Hydrant slug molds, but they do have the Svarog mold and that is a good slug also...I have that one, but have not gotten around to casting it yet. Good castin' to ya, Steve

[@lincolnemery9474]

13 grains of green dot with a grey wad and ww

[@jonleone777]

Can you shoot russian slugs without that plastic wad on the rear.