.357 Magnum shot load recipes?

[Budd]

Empty shot capsules - are they legal in CA? If so - any loads/recipes for starters?

http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=313962

Thought this may make a good snake load while camping in the desert.

Edit: are they re-usable?

[Beelzy]

Not re-usable. LOL!!

IIRC I used 5gr. of Unique with those, worked fairly well actually.

[Budd]

Anyone else?

[Ugly Dwarf]

I've got no personal experience, but I've been tempted to play with these before. I have held off thus far because I wasn't sure it would be legal here in CA... much like I understand you can't get the Taurus Judge in .410/.45 LC because it is considered a short barreled shotgun.

Silly CA gun laws!!!

I will leave that question to others here who are (hopefully) more familiar with that rule.

If it were determined that you can get these and use them legally, it would be tough to determine the right load without knowing how much they weigh when filled with your lead (steel, hevi, #9, #7 1/2, etc...) shot of choice.

Once you had an average projectile weight (I expect you will have variations, as you'll probably get more shot into some capsules than others), you could begin looking for load data at some of the various sites out like Reloaders Nest or the "membership required" reloading site run by a member of CG.net (the site name escapes me now but someone here will know it).

Another way I've worked loads for bullet weights outside published data is to call the powder manufacturer. I usually work with Accurate Arms powder and have had excellent luck when calling them.

If you use a different brand powder, I'd be surprised if they won't help you out.

Good luck. I'll be watching to hear what others say about the legality on these.

Dwarf

[CSACANNONEER]

Whatever you do, DO NOT load them hot. The last time I loaded a couple hundred of them up, I used 38 special cases, weighed a couple of full capsules to get an average weight then, I figured out what a light load would be for a projectile of that weight and started there. I loaded and tested a few before I loaded them all. Also, If the plastic doesn't break, you can reuse them. If you ever find any fired and still in tacked capsules, please post pics.

[oso grande]

Try these

http://www.jamescalhoon.com/snakeloads.php

OG

[awheelman357]

i have loaded some the shoot pretty good i used #9 shot light loads seem to work best. yes the are legal in ca you can but these at most gun stores in .22, 9mm, 38 spc.,.45 acp, 44 spec. they are made by cci and the use the blazer alum. case. they will not cycle most semi autos from my experience.

[eckerph]

you can buy these at almost any big 5 store or gun shop, they will not cycle in semi auto and from shooting soda cans a few feet away out of a 4inch XD .40 i don't think these are very effective or humane, a .357 mag may have a better pattern/more shot but a shovel works best i think and doesn't cost anything if you already have one,or you could just leave the snakes alone.

[CSACANNONEER]

I've used #9 shot, #10 shot and even #12 shot when I could find some. I like #10 the best but, even 7 1/2 will work. Again, you don't want to load to .357 specs. For shooting from a .357, I use my same light .38sp load. It has proven very effective from 15' to right between my feet! Yea, I was surprised that I could draw from a ITW holster, find my target, fire and hit my target all while I was still in the air (I jumped as high and fast as I could which is not recommended).

[762cavalier]

they will not cycle in semi auto

Funny they cycle just fine in my XD40 subcompact. YMMV

[CSACANNONEER]

Funny they cycle just fine in my XD40 subcompact. YMMV

Then you're lucky! I've never been able to get CCI shotshells to cycle in any SA of any caliber.

[762cavalier]

Oh, I realize that. I was just pointing out that the statement should read "won't cycle MOST semi-autos.

[Riodog]

Then you're lucky! I've never been able to get CCI shotshells to cycle in any SA of any caliber.

RCBS makes the dies to load 45 acp shotshells out of the 243 family of cartridges. I shoot them out of a Gold Cup, couple of Para's, and a couple of Tussey customs and they cycle just fine. They really do the job on snakes. I've wacked a few cottontails and down they go to about 10 yards.
Rio

[CSACANNONEER]

RCBS makes the dies to load 45 acp shotshells out of the 243 family of cartridges. I shoot them out of a Gold Cup, couple of Para's, and a couple of Tussey customs and they cycle just fine. They really do the job on snakes. I've wacked a few cottontails and down they go to about 10 yards.
Rio

Thanks for the tip. I'll have to look into the die set.

[Snapping Twig]

For the .357 and .44, I make them out of gas checks and 7 1/2 or 8 shot.

Weigh a charge of shot, consult your reloading manual for powder charge, place a gas check over the powder and gently secure it with a wooden dowel, insert shot, top with gas check and crimp.

Mine have taken rattlers very effectively.

No barrel leading.