Since it's next to impossible to find components to load just about anything right now, it's a given that this also includes components for shotshells.
So, sometimes you need to think outside the box.
This evening, I was looking online for a lead mold for 00 Buckshot. Can't find one anywhere. I may even end up making my own mold to be honest. That doesn't seem like it would be all that difficult.
But for now, since I couldn't find any lead buckshot anywhere in the continental United States after an hour and a half looking online, I started to think about other items that could be used instead.
Why not steel ball bearings or slingshot ammo?
Viola'. I found some bulk 1500 count bags of .31" steel ball bearings at amazon for $25. While slightly smaller diameter than 00 buck, this would be 1-ought diameter. And may even let me put another pellet or two per wad.
Since they weigh a little less than lead, my velocity will go up some, and will work even better at closer range that you'd generally use a shotgun for anyway. I understand that penetration at longer range would suffer some, hopefully the improved accuracy and harder metal may work better for what and how I would use it for anyway. If we're going to be honest with ourselves, I doubt most of us would be shooting them at more than 50 yards anyway so downrange performance should hopefully still be adequate.
So, while you can get 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 and even 1/2" diameter steel balls in bulk, I wanted the 5/16". The 1/4" would probably be great for coyote though unless you were selling the hides.
Just thought I'd pass it along for anyone that is looking for some components. Or anyone that can't find any buckshot and wanted to dump some of the bulk skeet shells and replace them with these larger pellets. We already know that will work and have went down this path before.
So, sometimes you need to think outside the box.
This evening, I was looking online for a lead mold for 00 Buckshot. Can't find one anywhere. I may even end up making my own mold to be honest. That doesn't seem like it would be all that difficult.
But for now, since I couldn't find any lead buckshot anywhere in the continental United States after an hour and a half looking online, I started to think about other items that could be used instead.
Why not steel ball bearings or slingshot ammo?
Viola'. I found some bulk 1500 count bags of .31" steel ball bearings at amazon for $25. While slightly smaller diameter than 00 buck, this would be 1-ought diameter. And may even let me put another pellet or two per wad.
Since they weigh a little less than lead, my velocity will go up some, and will work even better at closer range that you'd generally use a shotgun for anyway. I understand that penetration at longer range would suffer some, hopefully the improved accuracy and harder metal may work better for what and how I would use it for anyway. If we're going to be honest with ourselves, I doubt most of us would be shooting them at more than 50 yards anyway so downrange performance should hopefully still be adequate.
So, while you can get 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 and even 1/2" diameter steel balls in bulk, I wanted the 5/16". The 1/4" would probably be great for coyote though unless you were selling the hides.
Just thought I'd pass it along for anyone that is looking for some components. Or anyone that can't find any buckshot and wanted to dump some of the bulk skeet shells and replace them with these larger pellets. We already know that will work and have went down this path before.
Take care. Tom Worthington
