Here is how Ed Harris did it.
From: Ed Harris Submitted: 18 Feb 93 21:59:00
Subject: Instructions for Loading Status: Public
RE: Instructions for Loading Shotshells
Instructions for Loading the .45 ACP Shotshell
Complete instructions for reloading the .45 ACP shotshell
appeared in American Rifleman, April, 1976 p.20. This article was
reprinted in the NRA reprint on The .45 Automatic, which may be
obtained from NRA Books.
To briefly summarize the article, cases should be made from
.308 Winchester or 7.62 NATO cases, using the RCBS trim die
provided in the die set. Use of .30-'06 cases or others which have
a narrrower extraction groove may cause extractor breakage, and is
not recommended. Cases should NOT be annealed because the
extractor will tear through the rim, due to the mouth obturating
into the rifling upon firing.
The correct powder charge is 6.2 grs. of Olin W-W231. I do
not recommend any changes to the powder charge other than minor
adjustments in the order of +/- 0.2 grain to obtain reliable
functioning. No other powders are recommended.
The correct wad is the Remington SP410 shot cup used for 1/2
oz. .410 bore skeet loads. No other wad may be substituted. Seat
the wad firmly over the powder charge using a dowel and a few light
blows with a plastic mallet, then trim the wad off flush with the
case mouth using a sharp knife. A shot charge of 105 +/- 5 grains
of No.8 or #9 shot should be measured with a Lee No.065 dipper.
The Lee dipper numbering system has been changed since the article
originally appeared, so you may have to improvise a measure to
throw the correct amount of shot.
The top wad is a 7/32 or 10mm disk cut from .005" thick
acetate plastic "sheet protectors" from an office suppy store.
You can use an Osborne punch from the hardware store or make your own
punch. The plastic top wad should be sealed with lacquer.
Velocity is about 1200 fps in the M1911A1 pistol. Typical
patterns are 70% in a 15" circle at 25 feet, with an average of
10 pellets in a 5" diameter target, simulating a small game
animal. This is the maximum effective range for this shothell
on snakes or small game.
For defense use larger shot up, such as 28 pieces of No.4, may
be used, and a single piece of 00 buckshot crimped in the case
mouth in place of the top wad. The buckshot does not impair the
shot pattern, but will string out ahead of it. The single buckshot
will hit within 8" of point of aim at 25 feet and #4 shot will
penetrate a 3/4" pine board at this distance.
The shot load, when correctly prepared, will function the
Government Model pistol semi-automatically, so that a shotload
can be carried in the chamber, with service loads in the
magazine, and the pistol fired immediately in an emergency
without having to extract the shotload. You should, of course,
fire enough of these loads in your own pistol to ensure they
function reliably, as with any handload.
Regards, Ed
