Reloading shot capsules for .44 special

[barrycarraway]

Has anyone reloaded .44 shot capsules? I want to load #6 shot to use for snake protection. I run rabbit dogs so a pistol is easier to carry. I found the empty shot capsules on midway. Do u load them with a press just like a lead bullet?
Casy

 

[Srb08]

I've loaded them with #9 or #12 shot in .38, .44 and .45C.
Same process as loading bullets.
I've used roll and taper crimps. Either will work but I prefer a taper crimp
If you have caps on the capsules that don't fit tight, you might need a drop of super glue to secure them.

 

[contender]

Go slow when pressing the capsules in the cases. Also,, use a totally flat bullet seater to assist in loading them. Otherwise,, you can crack and or bust the plastic.

 

[tsubaki]

I can't elaborate more than contender and Srb has other than it has been suggested by others loading these seem to prefer the smaller shot size such as #9 or #12.
I've only used #8 shot, snakes don't seem to know the difference.
Fill the capsules completely in order to prevent capsule rupture from recoil in a revolver. I've not had this happen with birdshot but proficiently had it happen experimenting with (3) #1 buck in 38spl.
A capsule full of #8 in the 44 is running about 129.5gr.
Load data is on the box.

 

[Mobuck]

Bigger shot size usually results in poor patterns with these. I used no larger than #9. I killed quite a few possums at 6-8' using this shot load. Keep in mind, you don't need a lot of powder. The faster you try to push the shot caps, the wider the spread.

 

[gunzo]

I have loaded & used several, can't add much to already given good info.

But, I will second & third the motion that smaller shot is better. I'm currently using #10. Have had excellent results with #12, it's just hard to find.

 

[Three50seven]

I started loading these recently using the Speer capsules. They have load data on the side of the box, something like 7gr. of Unique for a .44spl I believe. I would recommend nothing larger than #7.5 shot or your patterns will suffer. I have killed a couple big field rats with #9 with no issues.

I load mine using my press as usual, just have to go easy on the seating and crimping. I use the dipper from my Lee .44 dies to load the shot into the capsules, a dipper full is just about perfect for filling them.

 

[jn 41]

it is easy. get an RCBS manual. it will have full instructions and load data. just be careful with crimp, do not break the capsule.

 

[AJGUNNER]

It is also fun to play around with duplex loads. I use number 4 or 6, then shake in number 12 to fill all the empty space. Definitely lethal on things larger than snakes. Have some fun and play around with the loads to see how they pattern.

I have also loaded 38's with a cardboard wad (custom cut from a cereal box), then number 12 shot, then capped it off with a crimped in little 32gr LSWC slug. Never had the chance to test this load on anything but paper. It leaves a nice clean 38 hole, surrounded by lots of tiny holes. I would venture to guess these might come in real handy if you were to run up against an angry badger or even a pit bull at close quarters.

 

[jimbo1096]

When I used to hike the deserts I would always carry a shot capsule load in the first two chambers coming up and a couple spares in my pocket. I would load them for 45c, 38/357, and 44, usually with 7 1/2 shot but occasionally play around with double ought with filler in the spaces for the larger calibers. I found them to be very effective on snakes, horseflies, and scorpions. I also found they are very fragile and it doesn't take much to break them, either jostling around loose in your pocket or trying to find the right crimp and forgetting to change out the seating plug in the die. I usually used a very light crimp, didn't take much and a taper crimp works too. Unique was my preferred powder and I pretty much followed the recommendations listed on the side of the capsule box. You can play around with what works best for you, the most you'll do is make a mess when you break a capsule. I never had any caps that didn't fit snugly, but the glue is a good suggestion or nail polish in clear works good too. Keep notes on what you did so you can refer back to it if you are doing something besides the recommendation on the side of the box.
Good luck.

 

[jgt]

You will get much better patterns with #9-12 shot. A baking potato makes a good test subject to see how they work. I started with #6 shot when I first tried shot capsules and it didn't work out well. The small shot is hard to find, but one bag is a near lifetime supply depending on your age when you start. Otherwise, you would be better armed with an accurate bullet loaded for close range.
Mike Venturino wrote an article called "Handgun Shotshells" that left me with the impression that #12 gave the best patterns for handguns. I was never able to find that small size shot, so I turned to my model 18 s&w with the sights set for a .410 hull at five feet. I use a CCI Stinger that has been modified in a Poco Kelly "Nasty Nose" tool. The only rattler I have encountered since, was blown in half with that round.