.45LC shotshell or snake load

[mikeyr]

I am going to be camping in the desert for 10 days, some days in CA. and a few days in NV.

I am thinking of getting some shotshell ammo but no one in town has any in stock and of course I can't order it online anymore.

So, I ordered empty shotshells from Midway and have to get some shot for it along with suggestions. I was thinking of going with #10 shot (because I have some) but would something else be better ? I still have not looked for a recipe, Midway states the Speer manual has one but the book is at home. All I have at home is HP38/Win231 and Trailboss, I do have 5064 for my .308 but that wont work for shellshot in a revolver.

So, looking for suggestions, the idea is one round of shot and 5 rounds of regular ammo, should I do 2 of shot ? I fully expect to spend the time and not see a snake (early March when they are still sleeping) and even if I do see one, I will try and let it go on with its life and go out of its way, but better prepared than not. Last summer in the same area I heard a rattler, but never saw it.

['ol shooter]

Leave the snakes alone, besides you won't see any rattlers this time of year anyhow. Watch out for the two-legged varmints, that's where the trouble is.

[edgerly779]

What shotshells fit in .45 lc. ? Don't you have to use shot capsules that fit in .45 lc brass/ I use .44 in my 44 and 357 in my 38.

[RogueSniper]

You may find this interesting. It may be what you're looking for.

http://www.castbullet.com/reload/44shot.htm

[edgerly779]

F in great I will make some for my 44 I am out of snake loads and capsules, I bet I can make some for my .300 blackout that way.

[mikeyr]

Leave the snakes alone, besides you won't see any rattlers this time of year anyhow.

. Yeah, I said that in my original post that I doubt I will see any snakes.

You may find this interesting. It may be what you're looking for.
http://www.castbullet.com/reload/44shot.htm

YES, exactly what I am looking for since I have HP38, I have #10 shot but I guess I will buy some #9. I will be home in about an hour and check the Speer book since Midway mentions it on the page where I bought the cases.

I bought these https://www.midwayusa.com/product/68...colt-box-of-25. maybe I used the wrong terminology calling them shotshells.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've loaded many .38 and some .45LC shotshells. I used up all the #10 I had and now just use 7 1/2s to 9s depending on what I find laying around first. How much #10 shot do you have? I'd be interested in some if you want to get rid of it.

The way I develop my shotshell loads is to load the capsules and weigh several of them. Then, take an average weight and figure out what a starting load would be for a cast bullet of that weight. I then load a couple, walk outside and test them. I've loaded hundreds this way with very good results. During snake season, I carry 3 shot shells followed by two hydra shocks in my EDC. Sometimes a second shot is needed to quickly dispatch a snake so, two shotshells and 3 HPs also works for me.

[sofbak]

.45 colt Magnum shot shells:

1. Trim a 460 S&W case to the COAL for .45 colt.
2. Swage down first half inch (at case mouth) with .44 mag or .444 marlin re-sizing die.
3. Prime and load 9 gr unique.
4. Add over powder wad, fill case with #8 or smaller shot.
5. Seal case with cardboard wad and glue or caulk.
6. Find snake and apply via revolver.

[JagerDog]

.45 colt Magnum shot shells:

1. Trim a 460 S&W case to the COAL for .45 colt.
2. Swage down first half inch (at case mouth) with .44 mag or .444 marlin re-sizing die.
3. Prime and load 9 gr unique.
4. Add over powder wad, fill case with #8 or smaller shot.
5. Seal case with cardboard wad and glue or caulk.
6. Find snake and apply via revolver.

I've been needing to do very similar. Bought a box of 460 cases. Have the shot and powder. Have the dies. Been needing to buy some nitro cards and I was thinking gas checks to cap it off. Pops used to use a gas check over the powder and on the end for 357.

There's some instrction on the web using a 410 wad and caulking it in place. I found the 410 wads to be pretty sloppy.

I made some with the speer capsules, but they're a little fragile.

[Cheep]

I use a cardboard disc for over powder and a gas check upside down with a slight crimp in 44mag. I use one shot lube on the shot so it streaks the barrel a little less.

[sef]

I make my own 44mag snake loads

1. 6.5 Grains Promo Or Reddot
2. 44mag Gas Check
3. Fill with #9 or #8 shot
4. 44mag Gas Check Upside down just below case rim.
5. Roll Crimp.

2 Gas Checks + Shot = Very good close quarter load.

-sef

[elk hunter]

I am going to be camping in the desert for 10 days, some days in CA. and a few days in NV.

I am thinking of getting some shotshell ammo but no one in town has any in stock and of course I can't order it online anymore.

So, I ordered empty shotshells from Midway and have to get some shot for it along with suggestions. I was thinking of going with #10 shot (because I have some) but would something else be better ? I still have not looked for a recipe, Midway states the Speer manual has one but the book is at home. All I have at home is HP38/Win231 and Trailboss, I do have 5064 for my .308 but that wont work for shellshot in a revolver.

So, looking for suggestions, the idea is one round of shot and 5 rounds of regular ammo, should I do 2 of shot ? I fully expect to spend the time and not see a snake (early March when they are still sleeping) and even if I do see one, I will try and let it go on with its life and go out of its way, but better prepared than not. Last summer in the same area I heard a rattler, but never saw it.

If you don't want to buy a bag of shot buy a box of 12 ga #9, cut them open and use the shot for your shotcaps. If you have a 12 ga you can shoot up any of the extra at clays. #9's work just fine for everything I have shot up to and including jack rabbits but you have to be close, works good on grouse to and will make a rattler dead real fast. Remember to hold a little off center. It's what works for me. HTH

[sofbak]

^^^ I confess I don't understand the use of "exotic" wads for a pistol cartidge. Gass checks, nitro cards, .410 wads and so on.

These shot shells are (presumably) used in a relatively short barrel. Their only functions are to keep shot separate from powder and to keep the shot in the case. Once ignited, their useful life is over as far as I can discern.

Other than convenience of availability, why use them?

[JagerDog]

^^^ I confess I don't understand the use of "exotic" wads for a pistol cartidge. Gass checks, nitro cards, .410 wads and so on.

These shot shells are (presumably) used in a relatively short barrel. Their only functions are to keep shot separate from powder and to keep the shot in the case. Once ignited, their useful life is over as far as I can discern.

Other than convenience of availability, why use them?

Convenient, cheap, accurately sized and durable with no effort.

[mikeyr]

you guys have me thinking I should try and load some without using the caps...sounds fun and interesting