Master the Art of Buckshot Reloading: Unveiling the Lee Precision 90028 #4 Buckshot Mold

For discerning shooters, hunters, and self-defense enthusiasts, the quest for reliable, cost-effective ammunition is an ongoing journey. Factory-loaded buckshot can be expensive and, at times, difficult to find, leading many to seek alternatives. If you've ever wondered, "What's the best way to produce high-quality buckshot at home?" or "How can I significantly reduce my ammunition costs?", the answer often lies in the art of hand-casting. This comprehensive guide delves into the specifics of the Lee Precision 90028 #4 Buckshot Mold, a tool designed to empower reloaders with the ability to produce their own precision buckshot with unparalleled efficiency and consistency.

This mold is specifically engineered for individuals committed to reloading their own shotshells, offering a solution to both the economic and availability challenges of factory ammunition. It’s perfect for the seasoned reloader looking to expand their capabilities, the budget-conscious shooter aiming to save money without compromising quality, or the prepared individual who values self-sufficiency in their ammunition supply. With the Lee Precision 90028 mold, you're not just casting lead; you're casting confidence, control, and significant savings.

The Power of Precision: Lee Precision 90028 Buckshot Mold Explained

At the heart of efficient buckshot production is a precisely engineered mold, and the Lee Precision 90028 Mold for #4 Buckshot stands out as an exceptional choice. This tool is designed to produce 18 linked pellets with every single cast, delivering an impressive output that allows you to quickly build up your buckshot inventory. The design ensures consistent pellet dimensions, which is crucial for uniform patterns and reliable performance in your shotshells.

What specific problems does this buckshot mold solve for reloaders?

• High Cost of Factory Buckshot: Factory buckshot can be surprisingly expensive, especially in larger quantities. Casting your own can cut costs dramatically, often by more than half, allowing you to shoot more for less.
• Inconsistent Availability: During times of high demand or supply chain issues, certain ammunition types, including buckshot, can become scarce. Owning a mold ensures you can produce your own supply independently.
• Desire for Custom Loads: Reloading allows for tailoring loads to specific needs – whether it’s for tighter patterns in hunting, reduced recoil for training, or optimizing for a particular firearm. This mold provides the foundational component for such customization.
• Quality Control: By casting your own, you have direct control over the quality of your pellets, from the purity of the lead to the consistency of the cast, leading to potentially more reliable and accurate loads.

The Lee Precision 90028 mold is renowned for its straightforward operation and robust construction. Its capacity to produce enough pellets for two 12 Gauge shotshells per cast means you're always just a few pours away from a fully loaded round. This efficiency is critical for anyone serious about high-volume reloading, making it an indispensable tool for personal use or preparing for extended shooting activities.

Unpacking Key Specifications and Performance Benefits

Understanding the precise specifications of the Lee Precision 90028 mold illuminates why it’s a preferred choice for buckshot casting. Each pellet produced by this mold has a .240-inch diameter and weighs approximately 21 grains. These dimensions are critical for achieving consistent patterns and reliable ballistic performance when loaded into a shotshell. The precision machining of the mold ensures that each pellet meets these specifications, which translates directly into predictable results downrange.

Efficiency and Speed: One of the most compelling features of this mold is its incredible casting speed. It's engineered to easily cast up to 3,000 pellets per hour. This high throughput is a game-changer for anyone who needs to produce a significant quantity of buckshot. Imagine being able to create hundreds of shotshells' worth of buckshot in just a single afternoon! This efficiency not only saves time but also significantly enhances the overall cost-effectiveness of reloading. The linked pellet design streamlines the process, as you cast a full charge for multiple shells at once, rather than individual pellets.

Quality Construction and Material: The Lee Precision 90028 mold is crafted from aluminum. This material choice offers several advantages:

• Excellent Heat Retention: Aluminum heats up quickly and maintains a consistent temperature, which is vital for consistent, wrinkle-free casts.
• Lightweight: Compared to steel molds, aluminum molds are lighter, making them easier to handle during extended casting sessions.
• Durability: Despite being lighter, aluminum molds are incredibly durable and, with proper care, will last for thousands of casting cycles.
• Faster Cooling: While it retains heat well, aluminum also dissipates heat efficiently once the cast is made, allowing for quicker cycling of the mold and higher production rates.

Essential Accessories: Understanding the Handles (MPN 90005, SKU 40939)
It's important to note that the Lee Precision 90028 Mold does NOT include handles. This is a standard practice for many Lee Precision molds, allowing users to purchase a single set of handles for multiple molds. The required handles are Lee Precision manufacturing #90005, also identified by SKU 40939. These handles are crucial for safe and efficient operation, providing a secure grip and leverage for opening and closing the mold. They are an essential companion piece to ensure optimal performance and user safety when dealing with molten lead. Ensure you acquire these handles when purchasing your mold from a reputable retailer like DEGuns.

Why Embrace DIY Buckshot Casting? The Advantages Explained

The decision to cast your own buckshot with a tool like the Lee Precision 90028 mold goes beyond mere hobbyism; it’s a practical step that offers a multitude of benefits for serious shooters.

Significant Cost Savings: This is often the primary driver. Factory buckshot can retail for anywhere from $0.50 to $1.50 per round, or even more for specialized loads. When you cast your own buckshot, your primary material cost is the lead. Considering that lead can often be sourced affordably (e.g., wheel weights, scrap lead), the cost per buckshot pellet drops dramatically. Factoring in powder, primers, and wads, you can typically load a 12-gauge buckshot shell for a fraction of the cost of a factory round, often bringing the price down to $0.20 to $0.40 per round. Over hundreds or thousands of rounds, these savings accumulate into a substantial amount, allowing you to shoot more frequently or invest in other shooting accessories.

Unmatched Customization and Performance Tuning: Reloading provides an unparalleled level of control over your ammunition. With the Lee Precision 90028 mold, you're not just saving money; you're gaining the ability to craft loads specifically tailored to your firearm, your shooting discipline, or your hunting objective.

• Powder Selection: Experiment with different powders to achieve specific velocities, pressures, and recoil characteristics.
• Wad Systems: Choose wads that optimize patterns for your choke and desired range.
• Lead Hardness: While this mold is designed for pure lead for #4 buckshot, understanding lead alloys opens up possibilities for other projectiles. For buckshot, a softer, pure lead is generally preferred for optimal deformation upon impact and consistent patterns.
• Pattern Optimization: The ultimate goal for buckshot. By controlling the quality of your pellets and experimenting with load components, you can achieve tighter, more consistent patterns that increase your effective range and improve hunting success or self-defense efficacy.

Ensuring Supply and Preparedness: In an unpredictable world, having the means to produce your own ammunition offers a profound sense of self-sufficiency and security. Market shortages, import restrictions, or surges in demand can make factory ammunition scarce and expensive. By owning a Lee Precision 90028 buckshot mold, you become less reliant on external supply chains. This preparedness is invaluable for hunters who need a consistent supply for the season, or for individuals prioritizing readiness.

The Rewarding Experience of Craftsmanship: Beyond the practical benefits, there's immense satisfaction in the craftsmanship of reloading. Understanding the components, meticulously following the process, and then seeing the results of your effort at the range or in the field is incredibly rewarding. It deepens your understanding of ballistics and your firearm, transforming shooting from a passive activity into an engaging, hands-on craft. This personal investment in your ammunition also fosters a greater appreciation for precision and safety.

Getting Started: What You Need and How to Use Your Lee Precision Mold

Embarking on the journey of casting your own buckshot is a straightforward process, but it requires the right tools and adherence to safety protocols. Here’s what you’ll need and a simplified guide on using your Lee Precision 90028 mold:

Essential Equipment for Casting #4 Buckshot:

• Lee Precision 90028 #4 Buckshot Mold: Your core tool.
• Lee Precision Handles (MPN 90005, SKU 40939): Absolutely essential for operating the mold safely and efficiently. These must be purchased separately.
• Lead Melting Pot: A dedicated electric lead melting pot (e.g., Lee Production Pot IV) is highly recommended for consistent temperature control and safety.
• Pure Lead: While alloys are used for bullets, pure or very soft lead is generally preferred for buckshot for better deformation on impact and consistent patterns.
• Lead Ladle: For safely transferring molten lead into the mold cavities.
• Safety Gear: Crucial!
  • Heat-resistant gloves: To protect your hands from splashes and heat.
  • Safety glasses/face shield: To protect your eyes from splashes of molten lead or flux fumes.
  • Long sleeves and pants: To cover exposed skin.
  • Ventilation: Work in a well-ventilated area to dissipate lead fumes.
• Hardwood Mallet: For tapping the sprue plate.
• Water Bucket: For cooling cast pellets quickly.
• Collection Bin: For cooled pellets.

Simplified Step-by-Step Casting Guide (Always refer to the mold's instructions for full details):

1. Setup & Safety First: Set up your melting pot on a stable, heat-resistant surface in a well-ventilated area. Don your safety gear (gloves, eye protection, long clothing). Place your water bucket nearby.
2. Melting Lead & Preparing the Mold: Fill your melting pot with pure lead and turn it on to reach casting temperature (typically around 650-750°F, depending on the lead). While the lead melts, pre-heat your Lee Precision 90028 mold. This can be done by dipping it into the molten lead for a few minutes or by placing it on a hot plate. A properly pre-heated mold ensures complete fill-out and consistent pellets.
3. Casting Technique: Once the lead is molten and the mold is pre-heated, close the mold securely with the Lee handles. Ladle molten lead into the sprue plate cavity, ensuring the mold cavities are completely filled. Overfill slightly to account for shrinkage.
4. Cooling & Separation: Allow the lead in the sprue plate to solidify (it will usually dull in appearance). Once solidified, use a hardwood mallet to tap the sprue plate open, cleanly shearing off the excess lead. Open the mold handles and release the cast, linked pellets into your water bucket for immediate cooling.
5. Inspection & Storage: Once cooled, remove the pellets from the water. Inspect them for any imperfections (wrinkles, voids). Perfect pellets will be uniform and fully formed. Place acceptable pellets into a designated storage container, ready for your reloading press. Any imperfect casts can be remelted.

Choosing the Right Buckshot: Why #4 Buckshot?

While many different buckshot sizes exist, the #4 buckshot produced by the Lee Precision 90028 mold holds a unique and valuable place in the world of shotshells. Knowing its ideal applications helps in leveraging this mold to its fullest potential.

Applications for #4 Buckshot:

• Hunting Small to Medium Game: #4 buckshot is an excellent choice for hunting smaller deer (like whitetail in certain scenarios), hogs, coyotes, and other predators at moderate ranges. Its higher pellet count compared to larger buckshot sizes like 00 Buck or #1 Buck means a denser pattern and a greater chance of hitting vital organs, while still delivering significant energy transfer.
• Home Defense: For self-defense scenarios, #4 buckshot strikes a balance between stopping power and reduced risk of overpenetration compared to larger buckshot or rifle rounds. The multiple projectiles increase the probability of hitting a moving target and create a wide wound channel, while individual pellets are less likely to exit multiple walls or travel excessive distances through a structure.
• General Purpose Shooting: It’s a versatile load for various shooting activities where a broad pattern and moderate penetration are desired.

Compared to larger buckshot (like 00 Buck), #4 buckshot (at .240 inches) offers more pellets per shell, leading to a denser pattern and theoretically a higher hit probability on game or targets. Conversely, it provides more penetration and energy than smaller birdshot sizes, making it suitable for larger game than birdshot typically handles. This balance makes the #4 buckshot a highly practical and effective choice for a wide array of applications.

Maintaining Your Lee Precision Mold for Longevity

To ensure your Lee Precision 90028 buckshot mold continues to produce high-quality pellets for years to come, proper care and maintenance are essential. After each casting session, allow the mold to cool completely. Clean any lead residue or carbon buildup from the mold cavities and sprue plate using a soft brush (like a toothbrush) or a nylon-bristle brush. Avoid using steel brushes or abrasive materials that could scratch the precision-machined surfaces. Lightly lubricate the sprue plate pivot point and alignment pins with a dry lubricant or graphite if needed. Store the mold in a dry environment to prevent rust or corrosion, ideally in its original packaging or a dedicated tool case. Proper maintenance not only extends the life of your mold but also ensures consistent, flawless casts every time you use it.

Where to Acquire Your Lee Precision 90028 Mold and Supplies

Ready to start casting your own high-performance buckshot? The Lee Precision 90028 #4 Buckshot Mold, along with the necessary Lee Precision handles (MPN 90005, SKU 40939), lead melting pots, raw lead, and all other essential reloading components, are readily available. For a wide selection, competitive pricing, and reliable service, consider purchasing your Lee Precision products and other reloading supplies from DEGuns. DEGuns offers a comprehensive inventory of reloading equipment, ensuring you have everything you need to begin your buckshot casting journey confidently and safely.

The Lee Precision 90028 #4 Buckshot Mold is more than just a tool; it's an investment in your shooting independence, a pathway to significant cost savings, and an opportunity to elevate your reloading skills. With its high efficiency, precision engineering, and the ability to customize your ammunition, it’s an indispensable addition to any reloader's bench. Start producing your own custom buckshot loads today and experience the tangible benefits of self-sufficiency and superior performance.

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Lee Precision 90028 #4 Buckshot Mold Specifications

Feature	Detail
Brand	Lee Precision
Series	#4 Buckshot Precision
Model	Buckshot Mold
Capacity	18 linked pellets per cast (enough for two 12 Gauge shotshells)
Function	Casting lead pellets for shotshell reloading
Material	Precision-machined Aluminum
Size	#4 Buckshot (.240 inch diameter)
Pellet Weight	21 grains (approximate)
Overall Weight	1.18 lbs
SKU	79668
UPC	734307900281
Manufacturer Part #	90028
Compatibility Note	Does NOT include handles. Requires Lee handles MPN 90005 (SKU 40939)