Handloading Speer Handgun Shotshells

[Skinnedknuckles]

I tried my first effort at loading Speer shotshell capsules for my .357 revolver as a snake load. The Speer loading data is 109 gr of shot over 4.5 gr of 700-X at a cartridge OAL of 1.5". Using a .357 Magnum case, I could insert the shot capsule easily by hand to an OAL of about 1.7", but even using the bullet seating station on the Lee turret I could not get below 1.6". Inserting an empty capsule in an empty case, the capsule goes in easily to about 1.7" and starts to stick. Using a .38 Special case yields sticking at the same OAL. The capsule starts in the case very easily, and the sticking starts well below where the expander die would reach, so more expansion doesn't seem to be the answer. I even wire brushed the ID of the case thinking powder residue might be causing the binding, but that changed nothing. By measurement and calculation, the base of the shot capsule should not begin to compress the powder until an OAL of a little under 1.5".

Since I'm loading a .38 Special load and shooting it in a .357 Magnum handgun, and since a longer OAL usually results in lower pressures, not higher, I think I would be erring on the safe side to leave the OAL at 1.6"-1.65". The cartridge nose is below flush with the end of the cylinder at 1.7" so I shouldn't have a binding issue.

Am I missing anything? Has anyone else tried loading these capsules? Thanks for the help

 

[GP100man]

Loaded many of em in the day , I now use card over powder .

But you are encountering the capsule contacting the inside bevel (the case walls get thicker towards the head)

But as long as they fit the cyl & don`t "walk" out to bind it up your fine !!

& WELCOME to THR !!!!

 

[rcmodel]

Speer manual says to seat to 1.500" OAL, in either .38 Spl or .357 Mag cases, with 4.5 grains 700-X for use in either gun.

rc

 

[243winxb]

I have loaded them with no problems. You could try sizing only the "neck" of the case down to where the expander stops.

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

Thanks for the advice. I was able to seat the capsules to a COAL of 1.6" without breaking any capsules, using .357 Magnum brass over 4.5 gr of 700-X. I then just kissed the case with the FCD, making sure I didn't over crimp and crack the capsule. From my experience trying to "pull" my first capsule at this length I don't think I'll have to worry about the capsules working out under recoil. The cartridges all chambered without any hint of dragging and are well in from the end of the cylinder. I'm really interested to see how they shoot.

I used 109 gr of #12 shot for my first trial because it was what I had on hand. I also want to try #8 and #9 for a little more penetration, but want to see the pattern as well. The only thing worse than a poisonous snake too close to me is a mad poisonous snake too close! I don't really want to shoot one if I can avoid it but if I do have to shoot I want to make sure it counts (and don't want to carry a .44 Magnum or Judge).

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I never bothered to weigh the shot, I just fill the capsule with #9 shot and call it good. I seen to get a better pattern when the capsule is completely full with just enough room to snap on the cap.

 

[rcmodel]

#12 shot for my first trial because it was what I had on hand. I also want to try #8 and #9 for a little more penetration,

It has been my experience that #12 shot kills snakes deader, quicker then larger shot sizes.

It seems to me the denser pattern with the tiny #12 shot completely shorts out their nervous system instantly, whereas fewer heavier shot in the pattern doesn't.

rc

 

[Skinnedknuckles]

I took some of my reloaded shotshells to the range today and shot off a couple to see how they would pattern. By calculation, there are about 550 #12 pellets in each shotshell. At 10 feet, I estimate that at least 90% of the pellets hit in a 16" diameter circle fired from a Taurus Model 65 with a 3" barrel. That should cover my anti-snake needs. I only fired 2 shells (the range director usually does not allow shooting any shotshells but made an exception, and I didn't want to take too much advantage of his good nature) but I saw no evidence of plastic fouling in the barrel and the recoil was very mild. I would like to get a chance to shoot a few at an outdoor range where I could shoot water bottles to estimate penetration. I'd also like to load using some #9 shot to compare, but at the short ranges I'm likely to feel the need to shoot a snake, the sheer number of hits seems to be an advantage. With any luck, I'll never need them but I'm glad to have them.

 

[GP100man]

Set up layers of cardboard , the bigger the shot the deeper the penatration but sparser the pattern .

#9-#10 shot is the best compramise !

The snubbied barreled revolvers usually pattern better than the longer 1s , less inertia build up in the snubbies.