Shot Shell Loads for .357, .44, 45LC

[limpinlzrd]

Hi I have some data on shot shell loads for .357 and .44 mag handguns, but nothing on 45LC. I'm interested in getting more input and data from others that have tried these types of loads. I'm particularly interested the relationship of penetration to distance, since penetration is difficult to achieve in these loads without adequate pressures behind them. Please include shot size, velocity, and barrel length with your data. I am also looking for a shot capsule that is thinner that the Speer offering, like the ones used in commercial loads. The Speer capsules, at short range, expel a large chunk of plastic. The commercial loads that used to be available, had a much "softer" capsule that completely disintegrated upon leaving the barrel.
Thanks

[birdhunter1]

Shotshell loads for a .45LC, why not just use a .410 shotgun shell?

Granted not all cylinders will hold a .410 shell, as my Vaquero cylinder isn't long enough, but if I had shorter shells it would,

[limpinlzrd]

Interesting answer. I'll work on it after I aquire a 45LC. Right now I'm in the market for a "cowboy" set up, and am researching the subject. I find that my Colt Python .357( 8 in. barrel), and my S & W .44 mag(10 in barrel), are cumbersome to carry on a hike or horseback. A 41/2" or 5" Colt 45LC, would work better, and would weigh much less (35 ounces), and could be carried low on the hip out of the way. A friend of mine, wants me to get into "cowboy action events" around here.

[birdhunter1]

My Vaquero has a 5 1/2" barrel, where are you located?

[dino82520]

I used to make my shotshells for my 3rd gen .45 SA. I used .444 Marlin brass trimmed to length and 5 gr of bullseye. I would place a wad over the powder and fill the case with shot and then epoxy another wad after crimping it. Out to about 15 to 20 feet it was good medicine for buzztails.

Dean

[limpinlzrd]

My Vaquero has a 5 1/2" barrel, where are you located?

I'm White Lake, Wisconsin.

[limpinlzrd]

Thanks Dean, I'll copy your formula and give it a try.

[ke4sky]

The .38 Special is the smallest handgun cartridge for which a shot load makes any sense. Shot loads for the .38 Special can be improvised with 3.5 grains of Bullseye, simply placing a gascheck over the powder, filling the case with No.9 shot and crimping another gascheck in the mouth of the case. These are effective on snakes and small rodents within about 10 feet.

In .357 Magnum brass you can add a pinch more shot with about 4 grs. of a fast-burning, dense pistol powder such as W-W231, or Bullseye. These loads spread about one inch per foot of range, so the patterns are ineffective beyond about 10 feet until you get to the larger calibers. Cases over .40 cal. hold enough shot to add about 5 feet of effective range. You can load 5 grs. of Bullseye or WW231 in the .41 Magnum with a case full of fine shot, 6 grs. in the .44 Magnum or .45 Colt.

In these improvised shot loads the unprotected shot will lead the bore, and are scattered into a patchy pattern by the rifling. Gaschecks aren't very effective as over-powder or over-shot wads, but cardboard or felt don't give much improvement either. Far better are the Speer shot capsules, because patterns are more even, and bore leading is no longer a problem. Speer provides complete instructions for loading these, and nothing I could say can improve much on the data provided by the manufacturer.

Factory loaded .38/.357 Speer shot loads hold 105 grains or about 147 pellets of No.9 shot. Like most handgun shotloads, they spread about 1" per foot of range, but their patterns are even and 85 percent of the shot hit within a 15" circle at 15 ft. Their velocity is about 1140 f.p.s. from a 6" revolver and 960 f.p.s. from a 2." From my Colt Detective Special the shot penetrate about 1/2" into soft pine. From a 6" revolver a dozen or so shot will exit a 3/4" pine board at 10 feet.

While these loads are certainly dangerous at short range, I do not recommend them as defense loads, because they are not a sure incapacitant on anything bigger than a rabbit. I keep Speer .38 shot loads in my kit and never "leave home without them". A shot load is always the first round up in the cylinder when in snake country. I've put rabbits and birds in the pot with them, but you have to be CLOSE! The 44 Magnum carries enough shot to have potential as a close range small game load. Speer .44 shot loads are intended for revolvers and will kill rabbits positively at 25 feet. I don't use all that many, maybe a half-dozen a year, but when I get surprised by a rattler in the woodpile or outhouse, they are sure comforting! And then, there's always a chance that a grouse may appear under my tree stand during deer season...