.32 S&W shotshells

9ballbilly · August 19, 2019, 07:28 AM

I'm planning to load some shot-shells for my .32 S&W Pocket Positive for small pest control using the kit from Sage Outdoors.

My question is: Because of the small case capacity would it be more effective to use #11 shot instead of the usual #9?

The shooting parameters are; rat sized critters at ranges of 8'-10'.

Of course I'll switch too #7 1/2 for the hoards of invasive wildebeests

Thanks

PS I understand trying both would be best, but being on a fixed income I'd rather not buy a bag of shot that I have no other use for if it turns out to perform poorly. A nudge in the right direction would be appreciated.

FITASC · August 19, 2019, 09:57 AM

8-10 feet is pushing it with 38 or 44 shotshells, let alone 32s. 11s would give you more pellets than 9s, as long as the critters are small. A 410 would be the ticket, whether in a shotgun or a Judge-type

FrankenMauser · August 19, 2019, 10:10 AM

I think you may be better off with 'glue stick bullets', depending upon backstop and ricochet risk.
.32 S&W doesn't have much case capacity to work with, and centerfire cartridge shot shells are generally pretty ineffective beyond a few feet. You're asking a lot of the cartridge, by pursuing shot shells.

If you do insist on using shot, you might want to consider using .32 S&W Long brass to increase capacity. But of course, you'd need a way to 'neck' it, or a blank crimping die capable of starting the crimp low enough to work with the short .32 S&W case length.

About ten years ago, I modified a bunch of .303 British and .30-40 Krag cases to hold 1/2 ounce of shot for use in .44 Mag (minimum shot charge to be legal in Utah for grouse).
Even with 1/2 ounce of shot, the 'pattern' (a.k.a.: "donut") was so bad at 15 feet that I have stopped reloading the cases.

I did bag a few birds with the loads, but the risk of wounding and not recovering birds was too high to continue.

9ballbilly · August 19, 2019, 10:52 AM

I will be using .32 S&W long cases. Forgot to make that distinction in the OP.

Sorry

FrankenMauser · August 19, 2019, 04:40 PM

Honest mistake. I think I read your actual post too quickly, and paid too much attention to the title.

Wish I could be more helpful here, but I don't have any shot smaller than #9. My gut tells me that I would not be happy with #11 (having tested #12 in a few cartridges); but different people have different standards and expectations.

Why don't you load up a few test rounds and give it a try?
.22 LR and 9mm shot shells with #12 shot can be obtained without breaking the bank.
You'd have enough to experiment, without having to buy a whole bag (or canister) of shot.

T. O'Heir · August 20, 2019, 01:43 PM

I'd be surprised if there's enough space in a .32 S&W, of any length, for it to matter what size shot is used.
In any case, shot fired out of a rifled barrel, any rifled barrel, flies in a spiral sending the shot all over and leaves great big holes in the pattern.

9ballbilly · August 22, 2019, 10:34 AM

Frankenmauser- Exactly, I'm going to give it a try and see what happens. I don't have any high expectations about performance, but if pattern and penetration seem adequate at a few feet, then the little Colt will be just that much more versatile.

August 19, 2019, 09:57 AM	#2
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,446	8-10 feet is pushing it with 38 or 44 shotshells, let alone 32s. 11s would give you more pellets than 9s, as long as the critters are small. A 410 would be the ticket, whether in a shotgun or a Judge-type __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

August 19, 2019, 10:10 AM	#3
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	I think you may be better off with 'glue stick bullets', depending upon backstop and ricochet risk. .32 S&W doesn't have much case capacity to work with, and centerfire cartridge shot shells are generally pretty ineffective beyond a few feet. You're asking a lot of the cartridge, by pursuing shot shells. If you do insist on using shot, you might want to consider using .32 S&W Long brass to increase capacity. But of course, you'd need a way to 'neck' it, or a blank crimping die capable of starting the crimp low enough to work with the short .32 S&W case length. About ten years ago, I modified a bunch of .303 British and .30-40 Krag cases to hold 1/2 ounce of shot for use in .44 Mag (minimum shot charge to be legal in Utah for grouse). Even with 1/2 ounce of shot, the 'pattern' (a.k.a.: "donut") was so bad at 15 feet that I have stopped reloading the cases. I did bag a few birds with the loads, but the risk of wounding and not recovering birds was too high to continue. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

August 19, 2019, 10:52 AM	#4
9ballbilly Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: northeast Florida Posts: 611	I will be using .32 S&W long cases. Forgot to make that distinction in the OP. Sorry __________________ may God eternally bless the American Rifleman--- as long as one stands, resolute, liberty shall not perish.

August 19, 2019, 04:40 PM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2008 Location: In the valley above the plain Posts: 13,424	Honest mistake. I think I read your actual post too quickly, and paid too much attention to the title. Wish I could be more helpful here, but I don't have any shot smaller than #9. My gut tells me that I would not be happy with #11 (having tested #12 in a few cartridges); but different people have different standards and expectations. Why don't you load up a few test rounds and give it a try? .22 LR and 9mm shot shells with #12 shot can be obtained without breaking the bank. You'd have enough to experiment, without having to buy a whole bag (or canister) of shot. __________________ Don't even try it. It's even worse than the internet would lead you to believe.

August 20, 2019, 01:43 PM	#6
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	I'd be surprised if there's enough space in a .32 S&W, of any length, for it to matter what size shot is used. In any case, shot fired out of a rifled barrel, any rifled barrel, flies in a spiral sending the shot all over and leaves great big holes in the pattern. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

August 19, 2019, 07:28 AM	#1
9ballbilly Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: northeast Florida Posts: 611	.32 S&W shotshells I'm planning to load some shot-shells for my .32 S&W Pocket Positive for small pest control using the kit from Sage Outdoors. My question is: Because of the small case capacity would it be more effective to use #11 shot instead of the usual #9? The shooting parameters are; rat sized critters at ranges of 8'-10'. Of course I'll switch too #7 1/2 for the hoards of invasive wildebeests Thanks PS I understand trying both would be best, but being on a fixed income I'd rather not buy a bag of shot that I have no other use for if it turns out to perform poorly. A nudge in the right direction would be appreciated. __________________ may God eternally bless the American Rifleman--- as long as one stands, resolute, liberty shall not perish.

August 22, 2019, 10:34 AM	#7
9ballbilly Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2008 Location: northeast Florida Posts: 611	Frankenmauser- Exactly, I'm going to give it a try and see what happens. I don't have any high expectations about performance, but if pattern and penetration seem adequate at a few feet, then the little Colt will be just that much more versatile. __________________ may God eternally bless the American Rifleman--- as long as one stands, resolute, liberty shall not perish.