Monday, August 8, 2022

Friday, August 5, 2022

Handloading Handgun Shot-shells

Handloading Handgun Shotshells - https://loaddata.com/Article/LoadDevelopment/Handloading-Handgun-Shotshells/220
"The nice thing about Speer capsules is they extend beyond the case mouth to hold more shot compared to what only a case will hold."

38 Special: THE SHOTSHELL - http://www.thegunmag.com/special-load-38-special-shotshell/

Easy .41 magnum shotshells:
"Milk cartons and plastic milk jugs also make good wad material for this purpose."

41 Mag Shotshells -
"I've been shooting .41 Magnums for a long time and making my own shotshells for years. Those I make work very efficiently in my 6" Model 57 S&W and Ruger B.H.
First, I take an empty, deprimed .41 cartridge case and lightly sharpen the INSIDE of the case mouth with a small, round file and then polish it with a round ceramic rod.
Using poster paper, I hammer the case mouth through the poster paper to make my wads.
Using primed and sized cases (or one could use new, unfired cases) I measure in 9 grains of Unique powder. Over the powder goes one wad and I seat it with a wooden dowel so the wad is just on top of the powder but not compressing it.
Then I pour in #10 lead shot filling the case almost to the mouth of the case. Over that I place another paper wad and crimp the case mouth over the wad using my Lee Factory Crimp die.
Then I seal the wad with Elmer's White Glue and let the cartridges sit for 24 hours until the glue has set well. Not only is the top wad secure but it is waterproof.
At 10 feet, I get a really good pattern of about nine inches with a couple or three flyer pellets. I've killed several rattlesnakes at four or five feet with the .41 shotshells from my 57 and B.H, and the shells work very well.
I have shot them also from my 1894S Marlin .41 Mag., loading them one at a time, but the pattern is erratic so I use them in my revolvers.
Just my experience but they work for me.
L.W.
EDIT: One could also use .41 gas checks instead of the poster paper wads, but I had no intention of buying 1,000 .41 gas checks to make two or three dozen shotshells. "

"I have used a similar method but with the gas checks. I already had the checks for a cast bullet that required them. It's been several years but I used the same nine grain charge of Unique, then a gas check over the powder, fill the case with 9's to where the second gas check, cup side down, would be held in place by the crimp. Out of a 6.5 inch Blackhawk they would shred a snake's head at 3-10 feet. I even loaded a few with 6's for grouse but only ever got a chance to take one grouse with them. It worked."

"I have two methods...
#1 is size, prime, bell and put in 5.0 grains of Unique or any other fast burning powder. Seat a Lyman (they are smaller than Hornady) gas check over the powder, cup up. Fill with as much shot as one can. I usually use #7.5 as that is what I use in my shotguns. Leave enough room at the top for the second gas check to be placed on the shot charge cup down. Crimp in place.
#2 is the same as #1 but I happened upon a old Lyman .410 round ball mold. The ball is sized in a .409 sizer and a little less shot is in the case. Put about 1/2 the ball into the case mouth and crimp in place.
You don't need a whole lot of velocity to kill a snake and the faster the shot goes the faster the rifling makes it spread."

Pistol Shotwad Kits - https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/shotwads/pistol-shotwad-kits/
.41 Caliber Shotshell Wad Kit - https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/41-caliber-shotshell-wad-kit/
Pistol Shotshell Kit Directions - https://www.sagesoutdoors.com/pistol-shotshell-kit-directions/