Pistol scatter loads

[DonQatU]

I love these! Only of limited use for rats and snakes...... but plenty of fun and good practice with "hand thrown" clay pigeons!

.38 SPL Speer capsule loads using #9 shot.

I'm talking about LITERALLY hand thrown/tossed clay pigeons! Not using hand trap!

Don

 

[badgerrr]

I've tried the 38 & 45 Speer shot capsules and definately prefer the 38s. Seems like the new .45s won't splinter apart right when they leave the barrel.

The best handgun shot shells I've ever used are .45 long Colts put together using copper gas checks. More shot than is possible than with plastic capsules and them checks are formitible projectiles in their own right.

 

[Quantrill]

I agree with Badgerr about the gas checked made shot loads. I have made them in .38sp,.357mag,.44mag and .45colt. Never used the plastic ones so I really can't compare but the GC ones are fun. Quantrill

 

[DonQatU]

Gentlemen, the gas check loads sound interesting.

Any recipes for these gas check loads in .38 SPL and .357 Mag?

I plan to try smaller shot in order to pack more pellets into the Speer plastic capsules. Since I'm not using these for hunting (just want to crack clays), I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of pellet energy for a denser pattern. I'm going to try either #10, #11, or #12 (dust) to check out the theory.

I used to have a T/C Contender .357 barrel with a choke. It used to throw some pretty tight patterns (for a pistol) with both the reloaded Speer capsules and T/C's "hot shot" ammo. I sold it because it wouldn't shoot jacketed ammo worth a squat. I REALLY REGRET THAT SALE!

Don

 

[Edward429451]

OK, I'll bite. Where do you guys get the #12 shot?

And you guys who shoot the Speer 45acp shotloads, do they cycle your pistol?

 

[DonQatU]

Specialized shot sizes?! #10,#11,#12?!!

http://www.ballisticproducts.com/

Don

 

[Quantrill]

Don.
I use 3.0gr 700X for .38sp and 3.5gr700X for .357mag. These are pretty light loads so I would be particularly conscious of bird shot bouncing back. BTW, I use #8shot because it is what I reload trap and quail loads with. Quantrill

 

[larryw]

Very interesting. How do you make/load gas checked shot loads?

thanks,
Larry

 

[Quantrill]

Larry,
Size the case as usual, bell the mouth as usual, deposit the powder as usual. Then push down 1 GC, Flange down, then another flange up. then deposit shot and over the shot put another GC, flange down. Then crimp. And you have a gas check shot load. I have only done this in the calibers mentioned above and remember to be cautious about bounce backs. Quantrill

 

[Edward429451]

What a great site. Thanks for the link.

Anybody ever try the gascheck type shotload in a .44?

 

[forquidder]

45 Colt load

Quantrill,

Do you have a 45 Colt recipe that you wouldn't mind divulging to the rest of us? Thanks.

 

[larryw]

Thanks for the info. For 44Mag, how hot do you load them; powder charges like a Special load? And how much/size shot do you use?

One other question, any thought as how this work with regards to the 18" shotgun barrel minimum? Does a pistol with shot loads qualify as a shotgun C3 device?

thanks!
Larry

 

[Quantrill]

Seems to me that I used 5.0gr 700X for both the .44 and .45. These were light loads. I guess you could make them hotter with slower powder, but mine were mostly for fun. Quantrill

 

[Tusker10mm]

SHOT LOADS

LARRY,
NO, AS LONG AS THEY ARE SHOT OUT OF A RIFILED BARREL IT IS LEGAL.

 

[badgerrr]

My .45LC shot loads I usually put up with only 2 checks. My powder charge is a bit heavier, as I envision this as snake killing load - 8.5gr Unique.

I use unsized cases (to allow more room for shot and helps with manipulating the gas checks) Put in the 1st gas check, skirt down. I press this down with a specially marked steel 7.62X39 case - so that I can get the room for the shot in the case uniform. Pour in shot, leaving a smidge of room on top for the next gas check & crimp. Then stick on the gas check, skirt down - crimp.

Works great for little varmints up close. The last victim of this load was a mole that never knew what hit him.

I just use #8 shot cause it's laying around.

 

[DonQatU]

One other question, any thought as how this work with regards to the 18" shotgun barrel minimum? Does a pistol with shot loads qualify as a shotgun C3 device?

Larry, I think Tusker is correct, BUT I noticed you live in California. You might want to check your state firearms laws to make sure.

I remember reading somewhere that certain TC Contender barrels were illegal in CA. But I can't remember the exact details because it didn't pertain to my state. Also I'm getting senile and suffer from CRS.

Don

 

[DonQatU]

Larry, after a search I found out the shorter (10" etc.) TC Contender barrels in 45LC/.410 shotgun can't be sold in CA.

You're probably OK shooting scatter loads in pistols that aren't chambered to accept shotgun cartridges, but you might want to double check.

Don