lee drive key slugs @ 100 yds

Nimrod has been working at trying to get better accuracy out of the Lee 7/8 drive Key slugs he has been casting. Some things have improved accuracy to an acceptable level out to 50 yards. Here we see what happens at 100 yards. the test gun is a Remington 870 with a Hastings fully rifled barrel.

[@maccliff2115]

Those Lee key drive slugs are for close range targets. I take Winchester white box #8 birdshot 1 1/8 oz target load; and melt it down to the Lee 1 oz slug. I don’t intend for it to be accurate, or have the advertised velocity of 1200 fps. But it’s like having a 437 grain 45acp.

[@winterlounge]

I saw recently on a video where they applied some electrical tape around the back of a slug to give the wad more traction to spin the slug.

[@yankeenimrod2063]

what was/ ware is the video ? id like to see that. when I started loading these things I sluged the barrel with the slug/wad combo. what i found was some wad types were way to tight and I didn't feel comfortable using them!

[@BUZZKILLJRJR]

That's for rifled barrels tho so it engages the rifling better

[@scamp7441]

I load the 1oz lee slugs and have a lot better luck running a reduced load at 100 yds with a fully rifled barrel. Don't give up on them they might suprise you.

[@yankeenimrod2063]

I have not found any recipes lower then 1500 fps for the components i have available, I tend not to alter published loads. I wish i could as it would be fun to have less punishing loads for shooting soup cans!! thanks for watching .

[@rifleshooterchannel208]

Yankee Nimrod I’ve actually found the cheapest components shoot the best with my Lee slugs. STS hulls (or any Rem Unibody), Winchester Pink Wads WAA12SL, and 36.0gr of HS6 like right in the little data sheet that comes with it lists. I get just under 6 MOA from my smoothbore Mossberg “Slugster” with them. I don’t really anywhere to hunt with shots that go 50 yards anyway so these can definitely do it at that distance. Also I’ve used 24gr 800X with the same components above but it is not in any official data so I don’t know how comfortable you are with that but it is a very mild and accurate load, about like a light trap load. Good for practice as I don’t really have to do much but hold a hair higher than my HS6 loads.

[@jordanwilson1957]

I dont know how fast your pushing these. but maybe your accuracy is suffering when the slug goes from supersonic to subsonic; maybe try loading them just a little under supersonic.

[@yankeenimrod2063]

Interesting theory. There is no point in hunting with a slug that starts out at sub Sonic , at 100 yards it would not have the energy to humanely kill a deer even if it were accurate..

[@mckwilly]

the russian slug mold seem to well the have a wad that is pressed into the slug, some designed for smooth bore too, TheReloadersNetwork had them on their website

[@yankeenimrod2063]

I have been thinking of getting one of molds there are quite a few different designs. I would be interested in finding a source of there slugs to try before I invest in the mold.

[@mckwilly]

@@yankeenimrod2063 i havent been on the Discord sight much latley but the forums over there might have some guys and their experience with the molds, i agree its a lot of money for a 'shot in the dark' but its a lil cheaper at TRN I myself hope to go down the 20ga slug rabbitt hole

[@regularfather4708]

I wouldn't use custom built, German slugs, cast from magic fairy lead, and blessed by the Pope beyond 50 yds. Never mind a homemade slug. If you gotta reach beyond 50 yds then get a different gun. Shotguns are for close in work and if you work within those limitations then it'll serve you just fine.

[@yankeenimrod2063]

I'm guessing you live in a state that allows rifles for deer season, not here. But I would like some of your magic fairy lead!!

[@regularfather4708]

@@yankeenimrod2063 well played, sir. My condolences on your tragic hunting situation. While I understand such a limitation in densely populated areas, having that rule across the board is just silly.

[@regularfather4708]

Btw, what state are you in? The only state I know that restricts hunting to shotguns is Rhode Island, but that's just because they're approximately the size of an Altoids tin.

[@robertfrapples2472]

I'll bet I could shoot the wings off of one of your lead making fairies at 75yds with one of my homemade slugs. I'd break out the AR if the li'l sumbiches were past 100. 🧚

[@jamespollard1670]

I was hitting an 8 inch gong with 5 shots at 100 yds . I'm using the 1 ounce Lee slug .

[@t.c.f.fuller8867]

What load, gun, are you using??

[@jamespollard1670]

@@t.c.f.fuller8867 Smoothbore with sights , 25 gr of Green dot or 27 of Unique , Federal wad . I have a video on it .

[@bryantb3391]

They might have done better in a smooth bore

[@bryantb3391]

I loaded them with sir sloops data gualandi short shell nitro card fiber wad and slug but with 50gr of longshot for 2000 estimated fps but I think my molds were shitty and the lead to soft for that speed

[@xmachine7003]

Try fortune cookie 45L. He has some good loads with Russian slugs and roll crimps. Check him out.

[@yankeenimrod2063]

Yes, I check in on fortune cookie often, good stuff. Thanks for watching!

[@andrewmacphee6676]

try a rifled choke tube

[@yankeenimrod2063]

I have, they only produce slightly better results then a smooth bore. The fully rifled barrel in this video definitely has the best results especially at 50 yards and beyond. Perhaps I will make a video comparing the smooth bore , rifle choke and fully rifle barrel ,shooting the same slug. stay tuned!

[@andrewmacphee6676]

awesome......i look forward to it!