First of all, I have no personal relationship with the owner, Matt's Bullets, nor any ownership thereof.

I've experimented with homemade shotshells. Basically, I've used reloading data for the 410 with 3/4oz of shot and picked Trail Boss as I have that for plinking loads in my .357 and 500 Mags.

They're fun but a bit inconsistent. Some are quite potent, some have "blown" patterns.

I tried to get CCI to make such rounds. They said that they didn't think the market would allow them to recoup the R&D and equipment expenditures.

I ordered a box of 20, a bit pricey at $61 counting shipping but you only live once, right? They arrived today and look well made.

You might want to look at his website. The pattern and damage done to a plywood sheet was impressive.

Got some more #8 shot to make some more of my own. Don

Corrected to say that it's been a long time since I built these shotshells, I think I have also used about 12 gr of Lil Gun. Don

I just contacted Speer about this question they do not currently make their shot capsules for the 500 but,
I submitted a request to them? Haven't heard back from them yet so, loaded up some .45 Colts with their
capsules I had on hand with no. 4 shot.
Steve

I found a company called Harvester that makes sabot sleeves intended for black powder guns being carried by Midsouth Shooters Supply. They had two lengths of sabots which have a base diameter of .503 so they should be a nice tight fit in the 500 Mag case.

Just as a matter of increasing my probability of success, I called Hornady. Though they're more about smokeless reloading and ammo, they carry sabots.

Asked the guy if he thought 12 gr of Lil Gun in my intended mode would melt the sabot. He said no, their sabots run as high as 2200fps so at 11-13,000 psi I should be fine.

I ordered a bag of each, less than $7/50 per bag. If you should be interested in doing this, don't order on line, do it in person. UPS charges were nearly as much as the cost of the sabots. CS rep sent them USPS for only $2.70. Don

OK, thanks.
Steve

I assume you're using a gas check on top of everything(upside)<
Steve

No, I'm not. A friend of mine was fairly high up in Ruger's Prescott, Az plant before retiring. He did design work for the original Bill Ruger.

He specifically cautioned against using a gas check. He said he's seen them used in a similar fashion and some have come off, remain in the bore in a cockeyed fashion and cause problems. Don

Well, then what are you using on top? Sabot are hollow open topped aren't they?
Steve

I use a vegetable wad, somewhat like the old style shotgun wads. I think Matt's has a better solution but I don't know what it is.

May have to do an "autopsy" on one round to see what he uses. Don

Steal a candle from the wife's stash, light it, and drip the melted wax/paraffin over the end of your filled brass! I've done this on shotshells that haven't crimped properly and the shot will run out!
jcelect

Yes, that is an option as well. Don

I don't think I'm fond of the idea of dripping melted anything onto an open case with gunpowder in it. DonD
Won't a wad on top cut down the amount of bbs that will be in the cases(one reason why I contacted Speer their capsules go way out of the cases)?
Steve

Hello, what about the 50 cal to .45 sabots for muzzle loaders and use a 45 LC Speer shot capsule? Just a thought.
SEMPER PARATUS

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I haven't used wax so far but my homemade shells carry right around 3/4oz. Don

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I could live with this.
Steve

Well, just got the two packages of sabots. Things locally have been crazy but will try to get a few assembled and let you guys know how they seem to go together and then go to the range.

Predictions are for days of MUCH needed rain so range issues may be questionable. Don

I use a paper wad over the shot and a drop or two of Elmer's glue spread around the edge for .38 and .357 Magnum versions, should work on the .500's.

So much for the 500 sabots, they won't press into the case with a wooden dowel. May try the .45 cal sabots. Don

Well, my project is not dead at least not yet.

I had not paid much attention to whether the fired case had been run through the belling die. It hadn't, ran it through and put the amount of belling I normally use for reloading.

The longer of the two sabots seated nicely with what appears to be a very tight seal.

Really busy right now but will try the shorter one which seems promising. Don

I followed this sites process to build my own shot and ball rounds. They work very well and are easy to build with common materials. I've done them in 357 and 44 mag. No reason it couldn't be adapted to 50 cal. I particularly like the solution of plugging the end with a lead ball. Makes for a potent load!

Snake Stopper

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Dave

I've looked w/o success to find round lead balls suitable for the 500. Do you know of a source? Don