Multiple projectile loads

[eldon519]

Anyone have any experience or tips for multiple projectile loads for a straight-walled revolver? I'm kind of wondering if I need to worry about compressing air trapped between the projectiles.

More or less just for the sake of experimentation, I am thinking about cooking up some .45 Colt loads in my Redhawk that utilize two 160 gr SWC cast bullets seated base-to-base (one forward, one backward). Seems like I ought to be able to use some of the Ruger-only data for a 320-335 gr bullet adjusting for seating depth to get a velocity around 1000fps.

I don't know what I would use it for, but it seems like it could be fun to try. If it turned in decent accuracy, it could make for a nice walk-around-the-woods load for pests, small-medium game, etc. I'd probably still be better off with a nice hollowpoint, but what the heck

 

[tightgroup tiger]

I took 357 mag rat shot capsules ( the blue ones with the push in lid) and put three 3 #00 buck shot pullets in it. I pressed the pellets flat in an arbor press into a die that I made on my lathe to .358". They just filled the capsule up and didn't move around.

At 25 yds they made a nice 1' circle pattern on the target.

I will warn you that I couldn't keep the capsules tight in the shell when I filling the cylinder with them.

It was single shot only and they never amounted to anything useful.

 

[Walkalong]

They can be fun to play with, but I wouldn't use them for anything serious.

 

[TonyT]

For one I would not attempt to load two bullets in the same case. In the past I have seen some articles in old American Rifleman issues dealing with loads using buckshot/round lead balls in the old blackpowder cases. Unfortunately I never had a hankering to try such loads and did not keep the reference.

 

[jmorris]

Always wanted to have a few duplex loads to mess with my local IDPA buddies...no perfect doubles here.

 

[Swampman]

At one time I came up with a load that featured 2 swaged Speer .433 round balls in .44 Special cases over 5 grains of Unique. The velocity was about 770 fps and at 7 yards the 2 balls would hit reasonably close to point of aim with one ball about four inches under the other.
The load was HIGHLY effective for its intended purpose, which was winning a bet with my brother about who could get the most hits on a B27 target at seven yards in three seconds or less, him with his SIG P220 .45, or me with a S&W Model 29.
Swampman

 

[GP100man]

I`ve loaded 3 RB in a 357 case with 2.5gr Reddot , the last one I rolled a crimp into !

Accuracy sucked but bumfuzzled some shooters when they saw 3 holes in the B-27 after 1 shot !!

 

[Ditchtiger]

I did what Swampman did also.
Got some funny looks from folks when they saw 2 holes turn up with one shot.

 

[LightningMan]

I did using Black powder and two 141gr. .452 round balls in some .45 Colt cartridge's. It was fun shooting them, but not real accurate except up close. BTW it was pretty safe too, as you can only stuff so much BP in that case, cause there ain't much room left with two projectles on top. It's been a long time sence I did it, so I don't remember how much BP you can squeeze in there. I know with a single 250 RN bullet about 35grs is about it, so I'm guessing you may have only room for about 25grs. or so, but you will have to experement with it. LM

 

[Shadow 7D]

Much like Buck, they are inherently less accurate due to the bouncing they do, there were/are some really esoteric rounds that used dual projectiles, I believe it was explored as a way to defeat soft armor at one time.