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Old August 7, 2011, 07:51 AM   #1
hawkeye1
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Shotshell reloads

I am looking at reloading some shotshells for my 45 Colt and 38 revolvers. I think they would be great for hiking and to take along while fishing. Snakes and all. Maybe even hand thrown clay pigeons at close range.
Does anyone have any experience or reloading info on these? Is it easier to use the plastic capsules or could I use a gas check at the top and bottom of the shot column? Or even a card wad from a milk carton or the like? What size shot would be the best? Any info would be helpful.
Is it even worth the fuss?
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Old August 7, 2011, 08:56 AM   #2
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Use the capsules.
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Old August 7, 2011, 09:17 AM   #3
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MR. HAWKEYE

About 20 years ago, i purchased the shot-shell components sold by speer & made a strong attempt to load my own. I eventually gave up & began purchasing the speer factory loads in .22lr, .38 / .357, & .44 special / magnum.

Conclusion: The speer factory shot-shell loads are better than my home-brew rounds !!!!!

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Old August 7, 2011, 09:22 AM   #4
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The capsules are easy enough - the recipe comes on the box. You'll want to use the smallest shot you can - no larger than #9, 11 or 12 and realize that the effective distance is about 6-9 feet
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Old August 7, 2011, 09:31 AM   #5
Mal H
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Moving to the Handloading forum.

I've loaded up the Speer capsules for several different calibers, and they work well. The key is the crimp - don't crimp much at all or you'll crack the capsule.

As oneounceload said, use small shot only.
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Old August 7, 2011, 11:35 AM   #6
Edward429451
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Mal beat me to it. If you have any problem loading the plastic capsules...it's too much crimp. Do they make the capsules in 45 now? I never seen them but Weshoot implies they do...
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Old August 7, 2011, 11:52 AM   #7
Mal H
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Which 45 are you talking about?

I have capsules for .38/.357, .44, and .45 Colt. I don't believe there are capsules for .45 ACP, and the .45 Colt ones would be too long even if used in a 625 for example.
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Old August 7, 2011, 12:46 PM   #8
Mule
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I once built some for my 38 that I liked.
Gas check on top of the powder
approx 70 grains of #9 shot
Seat a .360" round ball on top.
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Old August 7, 2011, 01:36 PM   #9
243winxb
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Home made or Speer, this holds true
Quote:
the effective distance is about 6-9 feet
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Old August 9, 2011, 07:20 AM   #10
hawkeye1
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Thanks for the info.
Sounds like most use the capsules. I think I will try the capsules and also the gas check methods.
Question. Do I just use the standard load that I would use for a cast bullet? Or do you go lighter?
Will let you know how they turn out.
By the way, I am using these in a Ruger SP101 357 and Uberti 45 Colt SAA.
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Old August 9, 2011, 08:17 AM   #11
sundog
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Here's a good 'how-to' to do it yourself without the expense of the shot capsules. Do it right and it works really good.

http://www.castbullet.com/reload/44shot.htm
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Old August 9, 2011, 08:38 AM   #12
oneounceload
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Quote:
Question. Do I just use the standard load that I would use for a cast bullet? Or do you go lighter?
The recipe is on the box

Shows two loads - 5.5 of Unique or 5.0 of SR7625
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Old August 9, 2011, 09:45 AM   #13
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I was talking about 45 Colt.
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Old August 16, 2011, 09:16 AM   #14
hawkeye1
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Made up some shot loads for the 45 Colt using the method on this link...

http://www.castbullet.com/reload/44shot.htm

They worked very well. Used some very small shot, probably #9 from some old all plastic shotgun shells. Kind of time consuming, but worked real well. I think I will try to locate some #12 shot and make more.
Thinking of trying some hand thrown aerial targets. Sounds like fun.

Any thoughts?
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