Tacticool Products - 12 Gauge Slugs

12 Gauge Slugs
7/8 Ounce or 1 Ounce

This is not live ammunition. These slugs are the inert projectiles used to load shotgun slug shells.

These slugs were designed specifically for reloaders. The diameter is .680" to allow the slug to be loaded into a standard plastic trap wad in place of the shot. While most commercial slug loads have a rolled crimp, the loads for this slug were developed for a conventional folded crimp on top of the shot shell. These really are as simple as replacing the shot with a slug and using the load data which is included with your order. Additional load data is also readily available on the internet. Try loading a few first to make sure they work to your satisfaction before loading large numbers. Occasionally, a combination of shot shell and wad will result in the wad being reluctant to separate from the slug, but an inexpensive piece of felt, paper or cardboard wad between the shot cup and the slug will prevent this problem. Or simply choose a different wad. Most of the time, this is not an issue at all. Load data is included with each order, and it lists specific combinations of common hulls and wads, so you can probably find a combination of components you already have that provide tested and known good results.

The slug is loaded in a standard trap hull with standard wad and conventional folded crimp. Slug loads are produced with any shot shell reloading press. These slugs feature the exclusive drive key. The drive key is the horizontal tab shown inside the hollow base, and it positively rotates the slug in rifled shotgun barrels. The key doubles as a support rib allowing use of a standard trap wad - no need for a support wad or base filler. The sabot wad design outperforms rifled slugs in rifled slug barrels. Velocity and accuracy meet or exceed expensive factory loaded rifled slugs. Even in smooth shotgun barrels, the accuracy is surprisingly good, and the smooth bore allows you to easily switch between shot and slug loads. If you find the accuracy is not better than factory slug shells, try a different wad. The wad can drastically alter the accuracy.

7/8 ounce slugs shown.
1 ounce slugs are the same diameter and shape, and 8% longer.
Plastic wad not included.

Weights are typically within 0.5%, and usually much less. These are very accurate castings that provide very good shooting accuracy. Typical effective range is 50 yards with a smooth bore and 100 yards with a rifled barrel.

These slugs were cast from lead with small amounts of tin and antimony added for improved casting and hardness, and were air cooled to yield a Brinell hardness of 10.3 (+/- .3) as measured with a lead hardness gage. As they age, they will become somewhat harder and will probably have a BHN of about 12. Because the slug is fully enclosed by the wad, there will never be any barrel leading.

The shipping cost is a flat rate of $4.00 to cover most of the US shipping costs for a small order. The shipping cost remains fixed regardless of the number of slugs you buy, so you earn a shipping discount the more you buy. Lead is heavy, so the shipping discount can be significant on larger orders.

7/8 ounce or 1 ounce slugs?

Both are the same diameter. The 7/8 ounce slug can be loaded for a higher velocity than a 1 ounce slug for the same amount of recoil. The kinetic energy increases with the square of the velocity, and full power loads will have more kinetic energy with the 7/8 ounce slugs, compared to the 1 ounce slugs at the same recoil. 7/8 ounce slugs are also a good choice when developing reduced recoil loads at lower velocities. Many people still prefer the 1 ounce slugs, when only a full 1/16 of a pound of lead will do. Either provides an enormous amount of kinetic energy. Either is a lot of fun when shooting gallon jugs of water or bucket-cast ice sculpture targets.

12 Gauge Slug - 1 Ounce - Package of 30 - FREE SHIPPING
Nominal slug weight is 1 ounce (437 grains)
Actual average weight is 436 grains
Length: .625"
$11.00 per Package of 30

12 Gauge Slug - 7/8 Ounce - Package of 30 - FREE SHIPPING
Nominal slug weight is 7/8 ounces (383 grains)
Actual weight is 400 grains
Length: .577"
$10.50 per Package of 30