often hand loaded, primarily to save cost but also to improve performance over that possible with commercially manufactured slug shells. In contrast, it is possible to reload slug shells with hand-cast lead slugs for less than $0.50 (c. 2013) each. The recurring cost depends heavily on which published recipe is used. Some published recipes for handloading 1 oz. 12 ga. slugs require as much as 49 grains of powder each, whereas other 12 ga. slug recipes for oz. slugs require only 25 grains of powder. Shotguns operate at much lower pressures than pistols and rifles, typically operating at pressures of 14,000 psi, or less, for 12 gauge shells, whereas rifles and pistols routinely are operated at pressures in excess of 35,000 psi, and sometimes upwards of 60,000 psi. The SAAMI maximum permitted pressure limit is only 11,500 psi for 12 gauge 2¾ inch and 3 inch shells, including slug shells, so the typical operating pressures for many shotgun shells are only slightly below the maximum permitted pressures allowed for safe ammunition. This small safety margin, and the possibility of pressure varying by over 4,000 psi with small changes in components, require great care and consistency in hand-loading. Legal issues Shotgun slugs are sometimes subject to specific regulation in many countries in the world. Legislation differs with each country. The Netherlands Large game (including deer and wild boar) hunting is only allowed with large caliber rifles; shotguns are only allowed for small and medium-sized game, up to foxes and geese. However, when a shotgun has a rifled barrel, it is considered a rifle, and it becomes legal for hunting roe deer, minimum caliber 5.56 mm and 980 joules at a 100 meters, and deer and wild boar, minimum caliber 6.5 mm and 2200 joules at 100 meters. Sweden Slugs fired from a single-barrel shotgun are allowed for hunting wild boar, fallow deer, and mouflon, although when hunting for wounded game there are no restrictions. The shot must be fired at a range of no more than 40 meters. The hunter must also have the legal right to use a rifle for such game in order to hunt with shotgun slugs. United Kingdom Ammunition which contains no fewer than five projectiles, none of which exceed 0.36 inch (9 mm) in diameter, is legal with a section 2 Shotgun Certificate . Slugs, which contain only one projectile and usually exceed 0.36 inch in