.45 auto shotshells

Hotlead · #1 12-04-2011, 03:53 AM

Speer says that their .45 auto shotshells shouldn't be used in revolvers, the mouth of the aluminum case opens into the chambers shoulder and pushes it back against the recoil plate, and could keep the cylinder from turning.

Does anyone know if the old Remington crimped mouth brass cased .45auto shotshells have the same problem?

I'm unable to load my own, so that isn't an option for me right now.

NE450No2 · #2 12-04-2011, 04:23 AM

I have shot several grouse, several snakes, squirrels, a few rabbits and some quail with Speer 45 ACP shotshells in a 1911. They work great, as good as the 44 Mag Speer shotshells, and the wife and I have shot a bunch fo game for the pot and snakes with them...

I tried the 45 ACP shotshells in my 325 Night Guard, and they did lock it up.
I was trying to kill a poisonous snake in small quarters, so there was a bit of Drama, but I did not get bit, and the snake did die...

I have killed snakes with the Remington 45 ACP shotshells, in a 1911, but I never shot them in a revolver.

Nygma · #3 12-04-2011, 11:05 PM

I haven't tried it, but the Speer 45 caliber shot capsules could be loaded in ACP cases.
HMMM... could be an interesting project.

NE450No2 · #4 12-04-2011, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nygma

I haven't tried it, but the Speer 45 caliber shot capsules could be loaded in ACP cases.
HMMM... could be an interesting project.

That might work, as the problem with the 45 ACP shotshells is that the case is longer, and when fired it expands into the front of the cylinder, and forces the rear of the case back against the recoil shield, locking up the revolver, just like the 22 Jet would do if the cylinders were not kept squeeky clean.

I have not had any problems with 38 or 44 Speer shotshells fired in revolvers. And the wife and I have fired hundreds of them over the years.

Also I have never had any problems with the 9mm, or the 45 ACP Speer shotshells, or the Remington 45 ACP shotshells fired in semi autos.

We have killed a lot of snakes and a LOT of small game with them.

BobR1 · #5 12-05-2011, 09:28 AM

I have some of the Speer loaded shot shells, and have not fired any of them so far. Glad to know about the revolver issues. I have a couple friends who are shooting them in 1911's. They both say they will cycle the pistol.

As for the 45 speer capsules in a 45acp, I have done some work that direction. They are too long in my experiance. I had given some thought to cutting them with a dremel with a cut off blade. So far I have not tried it however.

Bob

TSQUARED · #6 12-05-2011, 12:51 PM

A number of years ago the American Rifleman published data for a 45 ACP shotshell manufactured from shortened 308 Winchester brass. RCBS made reloading dies for these shotshells. As I fremeber there was a note that they should not be used in revolvers since they operated at a low pressure which was insufficient to press the fired case back against the recoil shield. The resulting primer portrusion could bind up the revolver.

old tanker · #7 12-05-2011, 01:02 PM

The only shotshells that worked for me were the old crimped Remingtons. They fed an functioned flawlessly in a Colt M1911. They were louder than ball. I might have a few left, but I don't think I have seen them for sale in 20 years.

22shtur · #8 12-05-2011, 01:41 PM

The Remington shot rounds were made of brass. I fired them in my S&W 1917 with no problems. I haven't seen them for sale over 25 years.
The Speer 44 shot rounds are also made of brass, and they have never caused a problem with my 629.

H Richard · #9 12-05-2011, 02:19 PM

I have not tried them in a revolver, but did in a 1911, and will not use them again. The little plastic shot cover on the 2nd round I fired came out and dumped all the shot into the gust of the gun, and locked it up royally. Took me about 15 minutes to get it all apart and cleaned out. I now load all my own shot loads with Speer capsules in 38 and 44 Spec. and use in revolvers.