Wad ?

[Ruger Dude]

FYI I posted this in another forum also. I am in the process of loading some 525gr Lyman sabot slugs. I am using data from the Lyman Shotshell 5th Edition. The data I would like to start with coincides with the components I have and states:
12ga 2 3/4" Remington Premier STS Plastic Case, 25grs. Herco. Win 209 primer, Winchester WAA12 wad. The Lyman sabot slug sets about 1/4" high in the wad. I can push the slug down enough to seat it but that spreads the petals out. Contrary to the data it seems to me that the slug does not fit the wad. I tried a couple of other wads for GP and the Fed 12SO and Fiocchi 12H27 fit with about 2.4" of the slug protruding above the petals with the Fiocchi 12HS wad and 3.3" with the Fed. 12SO wad. The Fed 12S4 wad fits well also but the petals go above the slug about 1/8". Another load listed is 12ga. 2 3/4" Fiocchi 7mm plastic case 40grs. SR 4756, Fio. 616 primer,Winchester WAA12R wad. This wad does pretty much the same thing with the Lyman 525gr. Sabot slug. I did not cast them myself. I purchased them from a vendor. The slug is coated. The base /skirt is 0.67" in diameter. The top is 0.69" in diameter and the length is 0.78 " Any suggestions from someone who has experience loading this slug as how I should proceed.

 

[contender]

While I've been handloading for decades,, my shotgun loading is limited. I may be wrong,, but I was thinking that slugs required a fiber wad,, & that the plastic wads with the "fingers" wouldn't work.
If it would help,, I can see if I still have a bunch of those & send you some for testing.
(I have them,, but I'll have to dig a bit. Willing to help out a fellow Ruger fan.)

 

[Catfish]

I have the same book. look at pgs 97-99 for info on sabot slugs with pics

Can you review your measurements? what does this mean?

base is 17.0" The top is 17.40" and the length is 19.90".

 

[Ruger Dude]

I have the same book. look at pgs 97-99 for info on sabot slugs with pics

Can you review your measurements? what does this mean?

Thanks for the heads up. That would be a very large slug indeed. I corrected the measurement error to read: The base /skirt is 0.67" in diameter. The top is 0.69" in diameter and the length is 0.78 " . The original measurement I posted was in millimeters...🙃 I reread the pages you mentioned.

 

[Catfish]

Found this on cast boolits:

Specs. on the Lyman 525 Gr. 12 Ga. Slug (cast from pure lead) as follows:
Length = .785
Width (at top of slug) = .680
Width (at bottom flare) = .665

So you sound close enough.

The Lyman sabot slug sets about 1/4" high in the wad. I can push the slug down enough to seat it but that spreads the petals out.

Post a pic? I might run with it and try to seat one in a hull - see what happens?

 

[Ruger Dude]

I am just getting started loading shotshells. Slugs and buckshot is all I am really interested in. I have done a ton of reading manuals and watching videos. I want to stick as close as I can to published data but the wads I mentioned just do not fit. I have to push them down into the cup to get them to seat and by doing that it splays the wad petals out and still does not seat well. Ordinarily if the petals need to be cut it will mention it in the data. Thank you kindly for your offer of the fiber wads contender. I have some material on hand that I can use to make my own. There is data using the fiber wads instead of the plastic wads but it does not match up to my on hand components. With handgun cartridge loading there is a little leeway when dealing with components but with shotshell loading it seems that most recommend sticking precisely to the data. I may find out different down the road but my motto is when in doubt take the safest route. I will see about posting a pic a little later.

 

[contender]

No problem. I have loaded shotgun shells,, and you are correct in that they can be component specific. If you find you need some,, just let me know.

 

[Dan]

Wad petals or fingers are to protect the shot column from scrubbing as it goes down the bore. (helps with a more uniform pattern) You can cut them off or trim 1/2 of them off if you like.
It will not change the total ejecta weight enough to make any difference.
Not totally sure of all your problems but you expect to compress the wad just a little so as to get good contact with powder charge and good ignition from primer.
You compress more if needed for good crimp, but too much may bulge the case. Experiment and see what works best.
Don't deviate from the total powder charge or slug weight. We used to adjust for a good crimp in paper and early on in plastics by adjusting wad height using various thicknesses of felt and cork wads.

 

[Ruger Dude]

Just for reference here are images of the two wads recommended in the data mentioned above.

 

[Combat Diver]

I cut the pedals off my WAA12 wads when running 6 ea .375 round balls.

CD

 

[Ruger Dude]

I cut the pedals off my WAA12 wads when running 6 ea .375 round balls.

CD

Thanks for the suggestion. I put two cardboard shot cards in the 12S4 wad and now it fits perfect. I will lower the powder charge a bit and try it out. Same with cutting the petals.