Anyone have any experience with reloading/purchasing "snake" shot for these shells? Like to try some in a S&W Top Break DA....Thanks

I am experimenting with making some from using 38 Super brass. Stepped, not trimmed. This basically makes a full length shotgun shell. Have not got results good enough to post yet though. A machinist friend is modifying an old 38 Super taper sizing die so that the shot portion is straight walled, not tapered. The tapered 38 Super case was too hard to get the wads to seat properly. Tries 38 Special first of course.

Used to make 'em as a kid on the Reservation. Pulled the bullets out of .45 Colt rounds, stuck a paper patch over the powder, put in #6 to #9 shot taken from shot shells and put a drop of wax from a candle to seal the case mouth. That was deadly on rattlers, out to about 15 ft. and any rabbit that sat still long enough to get off your shot.

Interesting... I wonder how much shot you could get in a little 38 S&W case. Maybe I could use the 38 spl shot capsules cut down to fit the shell case and cylinder length. Only need a bullet puller and a crimping tool. Might work good enough. I have a .38 DA beater that would be cool to carry around the farm for vermin and such with rat shot. I have a Smith 63 22 lr that is under powered and a Model 19-6 6" that is cumbersome to carry. This little .38 DA would be perfect if they still made "rat shot" for it.

Thanks Guys........

I don't think you'd need to cut the shot capsule down to get them to work in 38 S&W. There is not much difference between the amount of exposed bullet on a 38 S&W and a 38 Special.

You can still buy .38 shotshells, they are a little pricey, but you won't shoot them that much. I carry a bTj derringer in .38 with shot shells when I go for a walk in the brush, have not encountered any rattlers yet, and hope I don't

The OP was talking about 38 S&W shotshells not 38 Special. I'd be surprised if 38 S&W shotshells were made after WW2.

Yes... the 38 S&W is 1/3 or so shorter than a 38 spl. Also I believe the diameter of the bullet is smaller, so my cut down 38 shot shell may not fit in the 38 S&W cylinder/chamber....

"Yes... the 38 S&W is 1/3 or so shorter than a 38 spl. Also I believe the diameter of the bullet is smaller, so my cut down 38 shot shell may not fit in the 38 S&W cylinder/chamber"

The bullet diameter on the 38 S&W is actually larger than on the 38 Special, (.360) so that won't be a problem. I think that with a good crimp the capsule will stay in the case. Length however is a problem, The capsule itself is as long as a 38 S&W round, so it would need to be shortened.(no big problem)

My advice when loading these capsules is "Less is more." You will get better shot patterns with less power.

You guys have got me going now. I'm gonna have to try to put something together with this box of capsules that have been stashed in my stuff for awhile.

Jim

When I load 38 Special shot loads in the Speer capsule I use 5.5 gr. Unique, (recommended by Speer). I would think that would be reduced to about 3 gr. with 38 S&W. Any one venture a guess as to how long to cut the capsules down to? Now you have me wanting to try this.

__________________
H Richard
SWCA1967 SWHF244

Make some over powder and over shot wads from some gasket material from the auto parts store. Just take a hammer and an unsized shell used as a cookie cutter tool and cut out a bunch of wads on a hardwood board.

When I load them, I use one over powder wad and 2 over shot wads, crimp and seal with some wax.

Out to 10 feet they work well, but tend toi lead the barrel if you shoot too many between cleanings.

Be nice if someone still made these....

Antique 1870s Box Winchester S&W 38 Shot Shells : Collectible Ammo at GunBroker.com

Too rich for my blood

I used to make .38 S&W shot shells for my old victory model. Over the powder/shot wads were made from a shoe box lid using an empty case whose mouth was sharpened using a chamferring tool to sharpen it inside and out. A light load of Bullseye or Red Dot was used, followed by a wad, the case was nearly filled to the top with #8 shot followed with another card wad. A slight roll crimp was applied to the case. At close range it took out a few rats and sparrows. Best of all it was lots of fun!

thanks.......will try that

That,s where titegroup might work good. You use so little of it there would be more room for shot. Just an idea. Now you got me going on this. I have a couple of the factory snake shot here and looking at them.

Is there a way to neck down a 357 case just at the end so it will fit a 38 sp and use that. I juat tryed someting and it looks like it will work I had my FCD adjust for the 38 special and ran a 357 mag case in it and now it fits good in the 38 sp. What about when you shoot it will it be OK?

Well I went for it and loaded some up with the 357 mag cases. I put 3.8 gr Titegroup then a card then some shot, all I had is #6 shot,then neck sized the cases down using the FCD, then another card and took it out back and shot them. They did real good at 8 feet which is all you need. I think I will wax the ends to keep the card in place.

Or Super Glue may work well as a wad sealant. I have not made up any .38 S&W shot loads, but were I to attempt this, I would probably start with .38 Special cases. I'm sure I could somehow make them fit in the .38 S&W chambers even if I had to make up a hand sizing die to reduce the case diameter enough to chamber completely.

If you could find a FCD that will do it. Just set it up for the 38 S & W and size the 38 sp in it and it will chamber fine. I don't have any to try my S & W 38 has been bored out to accept the 38 sp and not good for shooting with any accuracy. It would however work good with the snake shot. Maybe some use for that old pistol yet. I like the wax idea myself, I maybe wrong but this might help lube a little on the way out and keep the leading down some. What do you think?

I loaded up 20 of these and went to my neighbors. He was very impressed with them. We set up some soda cans and about 15 to 20 feet it tore them up good. I think work a lot better than factory. A pain to make but fun to shoot.