Home-made 44 shot-shells

[mtgianni]

I wonder if the powder they show on the Speer box as 230 is supposed to be 231? Does anyone know?

230 was a Winchester powder that preceded 231. As with many Win powders it is long gone and was not replaced by an equivalent powder.

 

[H Richard]

I load the 44 Special with the Speer capsule number 11 shot and the recommended amount of Unique. I use in my 3" Mod 24. The shorter the barrel the better the pattern, (the less amount of rifling to destroy the pattern).

 

[bigedp51]

I wonder if the powder they show on the Speer box as 230 is supposed to be 231? Does anyone know?

My Speer #9 manual dated 1974 has 230 listed and that 230 powder was discontinued.

The #9 manual also lists Unique, SR7625, and Bullseye.

The #14 manual has a section on the plastic capsules but no load data.

 

[BC38]

If you want to shoot carpenter bees use 1 gr of Bullseye, a magnum primer and fill the case with grits. May need to drill the flash hole to 1/8".

LOL, no, bees aren't my intended target. More like rats, snakes, and barn swallows.

When I said the guy did about what I had in mind I was talking about his methods of loading the shells - not what he was "hunting" with them.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

Forget wax or Elmer's glue for sealing shot shells, they shrink and dump out in the box, the pocket or dribble out the gun barrel or cylinder chambers. I use gutter seam sealer, just let it cure for at least 2 weeks! or you get a gummy bore!

I use WW231 in my 45 Colt shotshells (5,5 grains) and 7 1/2 shot. Fewer pellets but lots of energy per pellet. Tears up Copperheads like a lawnmower!

Ivan

 

[Drm50]

A favorite load in the Speer shot capsules is to use solder instead
of BBs. Straight solder out and cut to length just to fit in capsule
you stack it in capsule like they sell lead for mechanical pencils.
This was called the Junk Yard Dog load by a gun magazine writer
I forget with one. Tears snakes up at close range better than
shot. I have tried buckshot, 3 balls in the capsule but could
never get enough velocity out of them to be practical.
The factory CCI shot loads preform well, with one side note. In
the 22Lr I have had several fail to open. Keep a 10/22 loaded
with CCI shot behind kitchen door for yard pest. At 25 to 50'
sometimes you just want to sting certain critters. When capsule
Fails to open you may have a DOA your hands. I have never had
one of any caliber fail in a handgun.

 

[Gripgrabber]

Hello, I’ve been loading shot in 38&44mag&spl for years! But my Governor now takes the fun out of experimenting, just use 410 shells.
Semper Paratus