38 spl shot shells

[joneb]

I was thinking of using a .38 Special Taper Crimp Die on them if I could find a used one on the cheep.

I found a Hornady 9mm/38 taper crimp die at a gun show for $5, I acquired this for plated bullets.
If you have a 9x19 die set, you may have a 38 taper crimp die.

 

[DesmoDucRob]

Hey jibjab, good work! Here's a link to my project for comparison. I did almost the exact same thing, but used a bit more powder and shot:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=531207

Good Luck-

 

[35 Whelen]

Speer Shot Capsules

I used the gascheck, shot, inverted gascheck, method for my 45 Colt back in the day. Seemed to work fine, but I never had to shoot a snake with it. Sold the 45.
Fast forward 20 years, and I've now lived in rattlesnake hell for around six years. Average around 7-8 killed per year. I bought a little 3" Rossi 68 and I load the Speer capsules & #9's. I don't remember exactly how many I've killed with that pistol and load, but it absolutely SHREDS snakes. I think I'm loading 2.5 grs. of Bullseye.
I can't imagine why a person would have these "walk out" and bind the cylinder. I put a fairly heavy, visible crimp on mine and have never had them creep out of the case.
Regarding powder charge, Speer recommends less, not more stating that higher powder charges can ruin the pattern.
35W

 

[jr45]

Are the Speer shot capsules designed to be loaded flush or below the case mouth? The only shot type rounds (factory maybe?) I have seen were above flush.

 

[35 Whelen]

Are the Speer shot capsules designed to be loaded flush or below the case mouth? The only shot type rounds (factory maybe?) I have seen were above flush.

No. I don't know the exact OAL, but I just seat mine so they're a few thousandths from the end of the cyilnder.
35W