Pictorial of making crimped .38S&W shot loads

[J. R. WEEMS]

SHOT SHELLS

Calling JR W;

Would it be possible to get a step-by-step listing of how to build the 32 S&W Long and H&R rounds you mention? I'm especially interested in how you form the cases to start with (and the donor cases you use) as well as the wads and charges that are working best for you.

I've seen mention of this through this thread, but I would really like to have a complete picture all in one place if possible, and I guess it would be too much thread drift to get into a long discussion of it here. Thanks in advance!


Froggie

PS You wouldn't have the part number for that blank crimping set handy, would you?
PPS I live down in Lynchburg but get up to Winchester several times a year for North-South Skirmish Association events... maybe we could get together on one of those trips if you are willing.

Froggie- Just read this so here goes,close as I can get. HORNADY- item # 544591- about $96.00 on Amazon, no tax, no shipping.
I use bathroom tissue for wadding, small and larger for bigger calibers. I fold and PUSH it on top of the powder with a small;; allen wrench, because they are there and handy, then tamp down with a dowel rod a couple inches long and add shot then crimp. Adding shot will take some practice to get it right. with the 38/40. if a tad too much shot is added I run it through an extra sizing die part way which is set up in my rifle Redding 'BOSS" press. I use the same powder charge as I use for the bullets of each caliber. This has worked great for me so far. The 38/40 is a real killer at 7 yards.
32long and 32 mag cases are used with the long beaing able to be used in either guns. If you should find things a bit tight you can run any of them part way into a sizing die. Having upgraded my dies several years ago to Redding, I have extra sets of just about everything.
Would be glad to see you if you get up this way.
Guess I should also say, I use a Redding turret press and the Hornady dies have their own turret, yeah, I planned ahead.


Best,
J. R.

e-mail sent

 

[walnutred]

Nice thread but I have to ask. What kind of penetration are you getting with the shot? Will it penetrate a soup can?

 

[Green Frog]

Thanks for that quick response and the good info, J.R.

Do you make your 32 S&W L cases from something longer or do you crimp the standard length cases and get a somewhat short finished product?

My next Winchester trip will be in mid-March... as we get closer to the time, I’ll drop you a PM and maybe we can get together for a chat to swap info.

Regards,
Froggie

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

SPOUP CANS

Nice thread but I have to ask. What kind of penetration are you getting with the shot? Will it penetrate a soup can?

Walnut- well we don't shoot soup cans at our IWLA range but then snakes are not as tough as soup cans. will test that next time I am out in the middle of nowhere. Larger shot would have a bit more energy but pay load would be less.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

32mag

Thanks for that quick response and the good info, J.R.

Do you make your 32 S&W L cases from something longer or do you crimp the standard length cases and get a somewhat short finished product?

My next Winchester trip will be in mid-March... as we get closer to the time, I’ll drop you a PM and maybe we can get together for a chat to swap info.

Regards,
Froggie

I use 32 mag brass for both 32 Long and 32 Mag. it will fit all guns as tested the only difference is the powder. 32Mag gets 5.5gn's of IMR 800X, the long 3.0gn's of Win 231. Thinking of uping the 32mag load to 5gn's of Win231 to simplify things- maybe 5.5 of the 231 since it takes up less room. There again, these are strong guns, not top break, or older guns. Good luck.

.32mag shot shells:

 

[mtgianni]

Tony M.,

Well I've been looking around for .32 Die Set.

I spied a RCBS 3 Die Set for .32 S&W Long
part number on the paper label # 20104.

Die set is Steel and comes in the old style Green
white print Lid Label, and center little tab locking lid.

Would this RCBS .32 S&W Long work for sizing
top part of .38 cartridge for making Shot Loads
like yours?

30 Mauser has a larger diameter at base than the 38 Special and would be a better shoice for a necked down cartridge.

 

[max503]

(In High School, my brother made some 12 gauge Rock Salt shells for a girlfriend, to defend the "honor" of her pure breed pooch, but at the distance of 10 feet, she blew off the back half of some poor stray!)

My friend dumps the shot out of 12 gauge shells and replaces it with popcorn.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

ANOTHER PROJECT COMPLETED

In my quest to expand my shot shell inventory, I have this evening added .45COLT to the list. The charge is 6.3gn's of Red Dot. same as my normal loading for my Ruger Redhawk. First rounds are shown with the loadings for the gun.

The Beast:

 

[Green Frog]

Cool! You realize though that you are getting ready to cost me a bunch of money! Now it looks like I'm going to at least have to make shot loads in 32 S&W L and 38 Spl. Oh well, it's only time and money!

Froggie

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

COST

Forggie, may not have as much time left as I would like but I am going to enjoy it still feel like 30, most of the time

 

[Green Frog]

J.R. I've been over the hill so long I don't remember the bump! I figure I just get to take a day at a time and enjoy whatever I have left... spend the last dollar on the last day and all of that!

That aside, I figure it is best to keep my time filled with interesting stuff to do instead of sitting around and vegetating. A neat new project like shot shells for pistols keeps my mind and hands occupied, thus keeping me out of trouble!

Regards,
Froggie

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

,45 Colt SHOT TEST

Tested my 45 Colt shot shells today, despite the weather. Am quite happy with these. Point of aim was the bottom of the dot at 8/9 feet. upper left hopes are another shot-- Snakes beware!!

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

ANOTHER SHOT SHELL

As I carry a 32/20 in the woods a lot, I decided to try and load a shot shell for these revolvers. Glad to say I have had complete success with this venue. Results are very much to my liking.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

45 SHOT SHELLS - 1917

If there is any interest, here we have some shot shells made up for my 1917 -- being made out of 308 shells the moon clip was modified slightly. Load is 5.7Win 231, under a cut off 410 wad, filled with #8 shot which was set home on my small arbor press purchased for another project from Harbor Freight. Nice to find other uses for things
Wad was cut off with Dremel diamond wheel, after inserting in a Maple block, made for the purpose. Small hole was drilled all the way through to help in removing the wad.
Just trying to keep this great thread alive.

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

CARDS

Was ask in a private e-mail about over the powder cards. I make mine out of empty Half & Half, or empty, primer deck cardboard. If you punch them out with the appropriate matching brass from your loading that has been chamfered to a SHARPE inside,edge, the will be just a tad oversized and give a tight seal when rammed home with a dowel rod or a solid piece of brass stock. You want the 'cup' down of course. They take up a bit less room than paper, and increase your payload just a bit. Works for me.

 

[Tony M.]

Sorry I've been absent!

I'll try to add some content here in the next few days...

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

CONTENT

Sorry I've been absent!

I'll try to add some content here in the next few days...

TONY, not having much with the .380-- not much payload-- worth the trouble??

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

NEW THOUGHTS?

This thread seems to be slowing down so I thought of trying this. Anyone spare a couple 357MAX pcs of brass?? Glad to pay for them but want to try and see what I can do with them in the way of shot shells?? Hate to buy a 100 but will if I have to. Anyone use the new Browning 38spl shot shells?? We like reports on this kind of thing. Still looking for a Victory in 38 S&W in decent shape as well. It's a long Winter-- as I knew it would be.

 

[noshow]

Tony M. Thank you!

Tony would you please share with us your 380 Auto shot load details as to donor brass and dies used to form. Thank you in advance, I need something to tinker with to combat my cabin fever

 

[153]

What an enjoyable thread!

While I no longer reload, this has brought back a lot of good memories. About 40+ years ago I had a good friend who would qualify as a certified "gun crank" of the Elmer Keith era. One of his projects was the creation of shot-shells for his .45 ACP revolvers. He was a real charecter, a retired policeman who was sworn in during the mid 1930's. I was lucky that he was kind enough to mentor me.

One happy day he sold me his 1917 S&W - he had upgraded to a nicer example. With it he gave me some of his special snake loads. While I sadly sold off that revolver some decades back, I still have the snake loads. They reside on a shelf over my desk with other eclectic mementos.

Time has obscured his particular recipe. But I know that inside there is a gas check, probably some #9 shot and the top of the cartridge is covered with a formulation of beeswax. These shells fit in an old 1917 Colt I was given a few years back that's about ready for the junk pile. The loads were crafted from .243 and .300 Savage cases.

Here they are, and thanks to you guys for reminding me of my old friend "Pappy"...