Shot shells in 45acp 7 1/2 shot?

[jpred1]

Just bought me a new sig, just curious on everyones thoughts on shooting birdshot through a new gun, or old one for that matter.If they cycle ok, seems like for close range may be a good snake getter , easier to hit there squirming heads.Also looking for some good but cheap ball ammo for break in.

[jpred1]

While Im asking, I hope to practice enough to be confident of a shot on a deer, the 45 acp . I would think it would do fine to @ 40 yds .Any thoughts.

[Mikey]

jpred1:  don't know if 45 acp shot shells are available but I'm sure they can be made.  I've wanted to do that for a while and have picked up some ideas from folks here at Graybeard.  I'm thinking of using a longer 45 casing, like one for the 45 LAR or 45 Magnum, if the rim is correct, cutting back a 410 shotcup to fit and the roll crimping the case mouth over the shot to keep it in place.  I figure I would have to use a heavy enough charge of both powder and shot to get the action to cycle and to make certain the shot does the job - sometimes snakes can be tougher than you think.

As to the 45 acp and Whitetail - any 230 gn or heavier slug in jacketed with a large flat nose or a LBT or Keith style semi-wadcutter at around 900'/sec should give you what you want. 

[Savage]

Speer makes shot capsules for the .45, and I believe loaded ones as well. They recommend #9 shot, but you could stuff um with #7 1/2 is you want. The only .45acp shot shells I've seen that sometimes cycled the action of a 1911 were the old military survival loads. For snake loads, manually cycling the action shouldn't be too big a deal. One shot will do the trick if you're close enough.
Savage

[rockbilly]

A friend gave me 200 rounds of the old miliary survival .45 ammo.  It was great stuff while it lasted, I took several cottontailsand a bunch of snakes with it.  I haven't tried the Speer caps in .45 but the .38/357s work great.

[HTRDNCK]

I have used rat/snake shot produced by CCI to dispatch several snakes over the years with my 45 acp/Kimber. Very potent on those critters 0-10 yards.

[jpred1]

Thats what I needed to know ,Thanks to all. By your post .I assume no promnlem shooting the scattered lead down the barrel.

[Savage]

I've never shot enough pistol shot loads to have a problem with leading. There's never been a problem, I just clean as usual.
Savage

[Mikey]

Savage - thank you for that information.

[Castaway]

I've made them starting with a 30-06 case, trimming it down to the length of a 45 ACP loaded round, then running the case through a 40 S&W die to set a shoulder for headspacing.  Retrim, and load using wax paper over powder and cardboard over shot.  Then glue cardboard with Elmer's to case mouth.

[Savage]

I've made them starting with a 30-06 case, trimming it down to the length of a 45 ACP loaded round, then running the case through a 40 S&W die to set a shoulder for headspacing.  Retrim, and load using wax paper over powder and cardboard over shot.  Then glue cardboard with Elmer's to case mouth.

Whew! Thank God for the shot capsules!! The most trouble I've gone to to make shot loads, is to load shot into .45acp cases using gas checks or cardboard wads.
Savage

[Castaway]

Forgot to add, I roll-crimped the final product with a 38 die before gluing.  Not a high volume production affair at all