My favourite pistol caliber shotshells!
T-Buck (0.020 Cal.) stacks 2 x 2 nicely so I think I’ll need to do some experimenting. #2 Birdshot also seems to work well!
Handloading or reloading .45 Colt and .45 Schofield shotshells using traditional wads or cards involves creating cartridges that can be used for pest control or short-range shooting. Here’s a guide focused on these methods:
.45 Colt:
- Method:
- Start by resizing and priming the brass.
- Charge the case with a suitable amount of fast-burning pistol powder.
- Place an over-powder card or a gas check (a thin metal disk) over the powder to prevent the shot from coming into direct contact with the powder, which could lead to inconsistent patterns.
- Fill the case with shot, ensuring you leave enough space for the overshot card or another gas check on top.
- Use glue or sealant to secure the top card or gas check in place, ensuring the shot does not spill out during handling or firing.
- Load Data:
- One recommended load includes using 6 grains of Bullseye powder with 180 grains of #12 shot, using a 0.439″ diameter .44 caliber gas check for the over-powder card and another gas check squeezed down to 0.452″ for the overshot card. This setup is designed for cases trimmed to 1.270″ and neck flared to 0.475″.
- Another method involves using a card wad over the powder, then filling with shot up to about 1/16 inch below the case mouth, and topping with another card wad, secured by a roll crimp. Specifically, for .45 Colt, 6 grains of Bullseye with No.9 shot has been suggested.
.45 Schofield:
- Method:
- The process is similar to the .45 Colt but adjusted for the shorter case length and larger rim of the .45 Schofield.
- Use the same approach with cards or gas checks but be mindful of the case volume due to the shorter length.
- Load Data:
- Specific load data for .45 Schofield with traditional wads or cards is less commonly detailed, but you can adjust based on similar .45 Colt loads, reducing powder charge slightly due to the smaller case capacity.
- A general guideline could be using a similar powder charge as for the .45 Colt but with less shot due to the case’s shorter length. However, exact data would require trial and documentation since .45 Schofield specific data with traditional wads isn’t widely published online (Yet).
General Notes:
- Safety: Always ensure that the powder charge does not compress when seating the shot and wads, as this can lead to dangerous pressure spikes.
- Patterning: These shotshells are effective at short ranges (up to about 10-15 feet) due to the rifling causing the shot to spread quickly, unless you shoot them in a smoothbore adapter, through a shotgun barrel, then results can be quite different.
- Materials: Use of nitro cards or similar can help in achieving consistent patterns by providing a seal between the powder and shot, and another on top to keep everything in place.
Remember, handloading shotshells requires careful attention to detail due to the potential variability in powder and shot charges, which might not be as forgiving as traditional bullet loads. Always start with lower powder charges and work up, checking for signs of overpressure or poor performance. Also, ensure your firearms are in good condition before shooting any homemade shotshells.
Happy shotshell shooting!