Take:
one very old smoothbore (Stevens Model 101)
one .44-40 case
150 grains (1/3 ounce) of #9 shot (#8 can be substituted)
4.8 grains of International Clays
three cardboard discs cut slightly oversize (from egg carton i.e)
Re-size case. Re-prime case. Add powder. Place two discs over powder and tamp (slightly compress to get rid of air pockets) with wooden dowel. Add shot. Place one disc (labelled with shot size) over shot. Tamp. Put small bead of wood glue around inside perimeter.
This is a deadly load out to about 12 yards on small furred game like squirrels and rabbits. 20 yards on dove sized birds is a sure killer. I had to kill a pesky skunk and it dropped at 10 yards.
I guess this load would function fine out of a modern handgun but wonder about gasses and shot as they pass the gap. This load uses card wadding and not a shot cup type.
I have also had good luck with 20 grains of pyrodex and 115 grains of shot.
This little old timer is an absolute blast to shoot. Just enough noise and just enough recoil to make you realize this is a potent combination for close in shooting.
The .44 SHOT was possibly the precursor to the .410. It did also come in the .44 XL version, a slightly longer case.
one very old smoothbore (Stevens Model 101)
one .44-40 case
150 grains (1/3 ounce) of #9 shot (#8 can be substituted)
4.8 grains of International Clays
three cardboard discs cut slightly oversize (from egg carton i.e)
Re-size case. Re-prime case. Add powder. Place two discs over powder and tamp (slightly compress to get rid of air pockets) with wooden dowel. Add shot. Place one disc (labelled with shot size) over shot. Tamp. Put small bead of wood glue around inside perimeter.
This is a deadly load out to about 12 yards on small furred game like squirrels and rabbits. 20 yards on dove sized birds is a sure killer. I had to kill a pesky skunk and it dropped at 10 yards.
I guess this load would function fine out of a modern handgun but wonder about gasses and shot as they pass the gap. This load uses card wadding and not a shot cup type.
I have also had good luck with 20 grains of pyrodex and 115 grains of shot.
This little old timer is an absolute blast to shoot. Just enough noise and just enough recoil to make you realize this is a potent combination for close in shooting.
The .44 SHOT was possibly the precursor to the .410. It did also come in the .44 XL version, a slightly longer case.
