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Converting birdshot shells to slug shells

6.8K views 12 replies 9 participants last post by  Rabbit212  
#1 ·
YouTube has videos on how to convert cheap birdshot shells into even cheaper shotgun slug shells and of course I had to give it a try, super simple if you have the reloading equipment. Trim off the birdshot shells top pour the shot into your melting pot then you melt and cast the shot into a slug in my case a Lee 7/8 oz keyhole slug. Take the new slug and place it back into the birdshot shell and roll crimp it shut with a $20 dollar tool of the internet and an electric drill or even better a drill press. You now have a low recoil slug shotgun shell for about 25 cents as opposed to about 1 dollar per slug shell at the local Walmart. I chronograph the slug yesterday and got an average of 1270 fps the original birdshot shell says 1290 fps with the birdshot and my store bought slug shells are clocked at 1600 fps. For those who don't fire slugs much 1600 fps gets really old really fast on the shoulder so 1270 fps is a nice step down that you can fire a full 25 round box and not feel beaten up. I have only fired these at the 25 yard line and hitting 4 inch clays on the berm is as easy as if it was a rifle. When I make up another batch I will try them out for accuracy at the 50 and 100 yard line. Simple, cheap, and accurate cant ask for more. At hallways distance these would be a world of hurt.

 
#4 ·
Yeah the YouTube videos made it look too simple not to try and it was. I have also seen the videos on "cut" shells and others that involve glues but those looked a bit dangerous or messy to me so never tried them. This process I researched for some time and the shotgun forums had more positive then negatives on the subject so I gave it go and am glad I did. Walmart has 100 birdshot shotshell boxes for less then 23 bucks so my 25 cents per round estimate is right on. Now I can practice more with my home defense shotgun and not break the bank at $1 round store bought buckshot or slugs. The shotgun would more often then not be left at home during range days due to slug/buckshot ammo prices and honestly my shoulder would not be happy if I fired a box of slugs everytime I went to the range but not anymore.
 
#6 ·
I guess if one were planning on shooting a lot of slugs it might make sense. Personally I'd rather buy a bunch of low-powered slug loads than invest in a lead pot, mold, crimper, etc. Or just roll my own from the get-go.
 
#11 ·
Lol I did say if you have the reloading equipment!!! And I do.
I ran the numbers and start to finish making my own slug shells from new components hull, primer, wad, powder, lead and possibly a card or two it's not a cheap as my converted shells. Sure I could invest in a shotshell reloader and make more precise and different loads with different powders and components but for my purposes these will do.
 
#13 ·
They are Lee 7/8 oz Keyhole slugs. Mine are dropping a few grains light of the 7/8 oz weight with just the melted birdshot but when I throw in a bit of my range scrap melt it brings it right back up to the 7/8 oz weight with a few grains over
So basically lol 7/8 oz.