Buck-n-Ball Load Redoux

[stevemb]

A couple weekends back the nephew and me played some with my buck-n-ball varmint loading. After some head scratching and thinkin'(it only hurt a little) I made some revisions. First I swapped the 6gr of Unique for 5gr of Bullseye. This gained me some extra volume for shot. I'd used the 1.0cc Lee dipper for 90 some grains of 9 shot. Am now using the 1.3cc dipper and getting 117grs of 9 shot. The same 135gr bullets from Matt's Bullets now has to very slightly compress the shot. It seems a better load, aside from the extra shot, it's a bit warmer load. No chrono or pressure gear here. This is an at your own risk deal. The 2 test shots from the Ruger Vaq. Sheriff showed the bullet to hit much closer to the POA.. Another plus for me. Oh, swapped the milk carton "wads" for vegetable fiber Walter's wads. The plastic ones seemed to depositing residue in my Bulldog's barrel. Stay safe folks.

 

[308 Scout]

I did pretty much the same thing in my 45 Colt. I needed some snake loads but unlike my .44 Special I couldn't locate any plastic shot capsules, so I cut over-powder wads out of plastic coffee can lids, set it over some light load of Bullseye, poured in an almost case full of #9 shot, then seated a .452" ball. Worked very well even at 15':





The ball hits just barely below POA so it's all good.

 

[stevemb]

Yup ! It's been my thought, hate to commit myself to a first shot that's only gonna be a warning shot on critters over 10 lbs or so. These loads should be lethal to 100-200 lb varmints up close, in a pinch. You do have to remember you can no longer whack'a wasp off the side of the outhouse or barn, etc.. The Matt's Bullet I refer to is pretty much a roundball thats had a base added. So a flat bottom and grease groove. It weighs 135grs in .44..

 

[308 Scout]

Yep. I have a mould for that bullet for a 45-70. It's called a collar button bullet and is supposed to weigh the same as a round ball. Problem with them when you cast your own is they use an enormous amount of lube.

 

[stevemb]

Yup, a button bullet. I do believe we're on the same page. Like to sit across a campfire and share a Tecate with ya. Other options available, of course.

 

[308 Scout]

Whiskey, please.

 

[stevemb]

We can do that.

 

[dwayne]

"I cut over-powder wads out of plastic coffee can lids…"

I'd think about using shoe box material instead. I've had better luck with the natural fiber materials than hot plastic in the bore. Just make sure you don't set something on fire! Just IMHO.

 

[stevemb]

You're right. That was part of the redoux. Went to a Walter's Wad, vegetable fiber. Found a residue in my Bulldog's barrel after firing 4-5 rounds that used milk jug plastic for wads.