#1 buckshot

[mangyrat]

Any one ever make pistol loads using spear capsules and #1 buck for 38/357 ?

Back in the day "i think 1985" i saw them and forgot all about them until dillon blue press magazine had a article about multi projectiles loads and i decided i need to give it a try just for the hell of it.
I found the snake shot ones and some 4 shot loads but really want to see what the #1 buck loads will do.
I am thinking they will be good loads for coyotes/dog and any nuisance animal around that size also the reduced load may make a good round for new shooters and build some confidence having 3 chances to hit the target every trigger pull.

 

[Toprudder]

Don't know about #1 buckshot, but I know the smaller birdshot, when fired from a rifled barrel, will pattern in a circle. This, along with the small size/weight, significantly reduces the effective distance. Being that the #1 would probably be more centered inside the shot capsule, the rifling would probably has less effect on the pattern. It would be interesting to try.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Like a lot of people, I played around with "snake shot" rounds.

They're fun to toy with...if only because "shooting is fun".

But as a practical load? They leave a lot to be desired. Shot rounds aren't made to be fired from rifled barrels, for one. So getting a tight pattern at any kind of distance at all just doesn't happen. And from a pistol barrel, it's even worse.

Also, the tiny shot pellets are somewhat lacking in performance, to say the least.

If I were close enough for such rounds to be effective on critters, I'd be better served with a stick. Especially snakes (seriously...get a stick for snakes).

As for loading my own rounds...never have. So I don't have an opinion on that.

Any way, despite my opinions on the effectiveness of such shot shells, make 'em up and shoot 'em and let us know what you find out. At the very least, shooting is fun!

 

[mangyrat]

Like a lot of people, I played around with "snake shot" rounds.

They're fun to toy with...if only because "shooting is fun".

But as a practical load? They leave a lot to be desired. Shot rounds aren't made to be fired from rifled barrels, for one. So getting a tight pattern at any kind of distance at all just doesn't happen. And from a pistol barrel, it's even worse.

Also, the tiny shot pellets are somewhat lacking in performance, to say the least.

If I were close enough for such rounds to be effective on critters, I'd be better served with a stick. Especially snakes (seriously...get a stick for snakes).

As for loading my own rounds...never have. So I don't have an opinion on that.

Any way, despite my opinions on the effectiveness of such shot shells, make 'em up and shoot 'em and let us know what you find out. At the very least, shooting is fun!

Acracy is defiantly going to be sub par even at 20 feet, along with pentation will be greatly reduced due to a light load.
The best i can think of a comparison is maybe 32 acp for pentation.
The hotter you load it the worse the acracy is going to get due to deforming the shot so they will be loaded light.

This is not a snake shot load this is 30 cal pellet's 3 stacked in the plastic case.

 

[mangyrat]

the spear shot shells i have are not as hard and brittle as the snake shot you buy over the counter so they will be acting like a shot cup till they leave the barrel.
If anyone remembers the 30/30 accelerator rounds from the 80's i think the plastic is around the same hardness and flexibility.

I have not settle on a powder and load yet but it may be 5.5 grains of universal, after i weigh the capsule and shot then i will settle on a powder and charge i want to keep them around 950 fps.

 

[contender]

Yes,, I have done exactly that. Loaded #1 buck (3 pieces) in a Speer shot capsule.

Since the shot isn't perfectly round,, or always correct in diameter,, I found that it was made easier by using two pieces of flat steel to gently roll some shot inbetween, to get a slightly flat side that slips easily into the capsules.

Next,, I always loaded mine in 357 cases,, due to the length of the capsule,,, and used a flat seating stem.

As for performance,, I have shot a bunch of targets,, and out to 10 yds,, quite nice. But things open up quickly after that.
And,, I have used them a few times on critters. Within their limitations,, they can work.

But the most fun I had with them,, was when I took my CCW class. The instructor figured out fairly quickly that I was quite knowledgeable with guns. So,, when we went to shooting our targets,, I followed instructions,, and fired 2 rounds,, resulting in more than 2 holes in the paper. Since we were very close,, it was a fairly ragged messy set of holes. The instructor,, took one look & said; "What the he#&?" My wife punched me,, and said; "He's jerking your chain,, check his loads." When I showed the instructor my buckshot loads,, she had never seen any before. Her only comment? "Only YOU would do something like that!"

 

[mangyrat]

Yes,, I have done exactly that. Loaded #1 buck (3 pieces) in a Speer shot capsule.

Since the shot isn't perfectly round,, or always correct in diameter,, I found that it was made easier by using two pieces of flat steel to gently roll some shot inbetween, to get a slightly flat side that slips easily into the capsules.

Next,, I always loaded mine in 357 cases,, due to the length of the capsule,,, and used a flat seating stem.

As for performance,, I have shot a bunch of targets,, and out to 10 yds,, quite nice. But things open up quickly after that.
And,, I have used them a few times on critters. Within their limitations,, they can work.

But the most fun I had with them,, was when I took my CCW class. The instructor figured out fairly quickly that I was quite knowledgeable with guns. So,, when we went to shooting our targets,, I followed instructions,, and fired 2 rounds,, resulting in more than 2 holes in the paper. Since we were very close,, it was a fairly ragged messy set of holes. The instructor,, took one look & said; "What the he#&?" My wife punched me,, and said; "He's jerking your chain,, check his loads." When I showed the instructor my buckshot loads,, she had never seen any before. Her only comment? "Only YOU would do something like that!"

I like the idea of using 2 peace's of flat steel.
I had not even thought about the flat seating stem now i have to find one.

 

[mangyrat]

I think i have a 2 lee die sets in 38/357 so i may just modify one.
Now that i looked at it i think i can just use hot glue to fill it and make it flat and easily removed later.

 

[contender]

Bingo.
Using the flat steel allows for a smooth side to easily slide in the capsule. It doesn't take much to get the buckshot to fit,, so don't overdo it.

And a seating stem,, I actually turned a spare one down to flat,, long ago,, on a lathe. It's in the box of dies,,,! But the hot glue method can work as well.

 

[mangyrat]

Yes,, I have done exactly that. Loaded #1 buck (3 pieces) in a Speer shot capsule.

Since the shot isn't perfectly round,, or always correct in diameter,, I found that it was made easier by using two pieces of flat steel to gently roll some shot inbetween, to get a slightly flat side that slips easily into the capsules.

Next,, I always loaded mine in 357 cases,, due to the length of the capsule,,, and used a flat seating stem.

As for performance,, I have shot a bunch of targets,, and out to 10 yds,, quite nice. But things open up quickly after that.
And,, I have used them a few times on critters. Within their limitations,, they can work.

But the most fun I had with them,, was when I took my CCW class. The instructor figured out fairly quickly that I was quite knowledgeable with guns. So,, when we went to shooting our targets,, I followed instructions,, and fired 2 rounds,, resulting in more than 2 holes in the paper. Since we were very close,, it was a fairly ragged messy set of holes. The instructor,, took one look & said; "What the he#&?" My wife punched me,, and said; "He's jerking your chain,, check his loads." When I showed the instructor my buckshot loads,, she had never seen any before. Her only comment? "Only YOU would do something like that!"

You do not happen to remember your powder and charge do you?

 

[contender]

I do know my powder & charge for that load.
However,, I never share my info with anybody. Liability,, in todays society can be an issue I'd prefer to avoid. Plus,, each firearm is a different machine, and requires it's own load. I highly recommend using 3-4 manuals & careful study to work up your own load for your gun(s). Reloading manuals,, (several) are mandatory for good reloaders.
I hope you understand.

 

[mangyrat]

I do know my powder & charge for that load.
However,, I never share my info with anybody. Liability,, in todays society can be an issue I'd prefer to avoid. Plus,, each firearm is a different machine, and requires it's own load. I highly recommend using 3-4 manuals & careful study to work up your own load for your gun(s). Reloading manuals,, (several) are mandatory for good reloaders.
I hope you understand.

I understand completely. kind of like never shoot some ones reloads you don't trust.

 

[mangyrat]

I found 2 Taurus 38's 2 inch barrels when digging in the gun safes and a Taurus tracker but it is ported so i will not be using that gun.
i know i have one more 38 i just have to find it i think it had a 4 inch barrel.
As for powder i am leaning towards unique and probably starting out at 5 grains and work my way up.

 

[DickFord]

You can also just put the balls in the brass with out tube and crimp on the top most ball.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

 

[Jmoser]

I have loaded my own .45 Colt snake loads with 7.5 shot, the data warned against trying to get over nominal fps [800?]
Unique powder.

These 'patterned' OK at 10-15 ft, snake cant strike more than 1-3 ft max so step up and close the distance.

I have plenty .38 capsules and #4 buck - might play around. But wouldn't risk anything on a gimmick round.

 

[mangyrat]

I should have some brass tomorrow after hitting the range, for some reason i have no 357 or 38 brass just loaded shells "or i just cant find any in the shed".
I also just noticed i need to make some 300aac i am kind of low so i have to wait on the shotshells till i build up some blackout .

 

[Chihuahua Floyd]

For easy multi projectile loads I get round balls for a 36 cal cap and ball pistol, run them thru a 358 Lee push thru sizer. Might have slightly flattened them with a hammer to get to diameter. For 38 all load two, for 357 load three. Seat first ball with Lyman "M" die, crimp on center of last ball.
For the 44 mag I did the same with round balls for a 44 C&B pistol.
If memory serves I used Unique.

 

[Dale Gribble]

Any one ever make pistol loads using spear capsules and #1 buck for 38/357 ?

Instead of using the shot capsules, ever consider using gas checks?

Years ago, when I was loading for .44 Magnum, this is how I loaded shot cartridges and it worked well.

Ever think about moving up to #0 or #00 instead of #1? With either, you’ll still get 3 pellets in the case and the #0 will give you around a 9 grain increase (per pellet) over the #1/ #00 a 13 grain (per pellet) jump over #1.

 

[mangyrat]

Instead of using the shot capsules, ever consider using gas checks?

Years ago, when I was loading for .44 Magnum, this is how I loaded shot cartridges and it worked well.

Ever think about moving up to #0 or #00 instead of #1? With either, you’ll still get 3 pellets in the case and the #0 will give you around a 9 grain increase (per pellet) over the #1/ #00 a 13 grain (per pellet) jump over #1.

No i have not looked in to that yet. I have a few projects around the house i am working on right now so reloading got pushed back some.