Buckshot in a .44 Mag

[LoudBoomBoom]

I have started development of buckshot loads for the .44 revolver.  So far, I have evaluated several brands of brass cases, single 'ought' versus double 'ought' versus triple 'ought', different lead alloys, velocities, terminal ballistics, etc. 

I am pleased with the results so far, but, and this is where I need your help... I would love more 'input'...

1 - Are there any threads, forums, etc. already established that discuss this subject (I didn't find them)?

2 - If there are no such established threads or forums, can anyone suggest other sources of info?

3 - Is there any interest out there in these types of loads?

Maybe it's just me, but I can see how a Charter Arms Bulldog in .44 Special loaded with some '00' buckshot rounds (three .32 caliber projectiles per round) might be an interesting option under certain scenarios.

Anyway, I value the collective knowledge and experience of this group, and hope to learn from it.

Thanks

[SHOOTALL]

I have not loaded buckshot for the 44 but have for the 38/357 . What i do is use the shot capsuels (sp) from speer . I find buckshot that fits and then load as normal with a slight crimp ( very light crimp ) . this allowed more shot , about 1 .
 What i was thinking about doing with the 44mag. was a buck shot or 2 behind a light lead bullet , a buck and ball load .

[SHOOTALL]

 Jim Wilson  that writes for one of the gun mags did an article many years ago on loading shot in the 45 colt . I think it was him . he used the Colt as it was a larger case . Maybe a note to him might help get info. Good luck and post what you find as it is of intrest.

[LoudBoomBoom]

Thank you shootall, I will certainly follow up.  I appreciate it.

[Nakota]

I have not tried this in a .44 Mag but I have loaded 000 buck in a .357 Mag (3 shot ) and in a 38 Special ( 2 shot ).  I did not use the shot capsules but simply put a crimp over the top shot.  I used Unique powder and about 6 grains.  The .357 shot put 2 very close to point of aim with one flyer. 

[mcwoodduck]

Are you looking for a spread or multiple wound canals?
You may be better off with loading 3 or 4 flat stacked rounds that would lock into the rifleing and go where aimed spreading out slightly over space, or entering as one and making multiple wound canals. Depending on distance
I am not sure the shot capsuls are made for anything past rat shot and the rifleing in the gun acts to spread the shot and causes a hole in hte center of the pattern. (at least it did with my Rifle and 6" revolver at 10 yards)  thought I could use them for tree rats after deer hunting.
Years earlier there were Pie shaped bullets that fit together to make a round disk and loaded into a shot gun shell.
I wonder is some thing similar could be done, or if the twist would just fling them all over the place.

[Bigeasy]

Seems I remember an article I read years ago about stacking 2 .430 lead balls in a case, and crimping the top ball on its octive, and using a thin over powder wadd.  No idea what powder charge, but seem it might work with a little experimentation, taking into account the combined weight of the balls, starting with a reduced load for safety.   Provided you don't loose your fingers, and can still type, let us know what you come up with...

Larry

[P.A. Myers]

I'v been considering a superimposed, 110 JHP over a 148 HBWC in a 357mag case. 258g total, so about 4.8 of a fast powder [titegroup,clays,red dot, etc]. I will have to check for space in the case.

Does anyone offer a flat-top .44 [.429] ??

[siamese4570]

LoudBoomBoom: I have done this.  Used the speer capsule and stacked three buckshot in the capsule.  At about 10 yards, it shot a little triangle pattern.  I think that I just used the load data on the shot capsule box.  the only problem that I encountered was that I loaded them to fit my redhawk and they just barely fit in my 629 (ruger has longer cylinder).  I had 5 midrange loads and one shot capsule in the 629 one time and jumped a coyote.  Cocked the gun and lowered the hammer to bypass the shot shell and fired the other five.  The shotshell capsule backed out of the case and locked up the gun.  Seat deep enough to allow yourself a little "wiggle" room as far as overall length is concerned.  don't remember what size buckshot I used, maybe #1?

Siamese4570

[mcwoodduck]

Does anyone offer a flat-top .44 [.429] ??
[/quote]
Hellbound
Are You asking for a revolver or a wad cutter projectile?

[P.A. Myers]

Flat, on the top.

[Mule]

Shot and round ball load for 38/357

http://gunblast.com/Snake_Stopper.htm

I Know it is not a 44, but it should work with a .430-.435 ball.

I seat a gas check over the powder in my 38 shot and ball loads.

[LoudBoomBoom]

Hi y'all,

Sorry I've been away from the boards for a while...

Sometimes life gets in the way of living and, of course, you have to step back a bit and yield.

Anyway... I noticed there was a lot of activity on this thread while I was out and even some suggestions, which I really appreciate.

Thank you everybody.

Now, to get back to business, here's an update:

My best results with a specific load (listed below):
   @ 25 ft. got a 4-inch pattern/group
   @ 50 ft.    "    10-inch   "
   @ 75 ft.    "    12-inch   "
   @ 125 ft.  "    14-inch    "

This is what went into it:

Brass - Once-fired Winchester (decapped, cleaned, flash hole deburred on the inside, sized, length-trimmed, neck ID VLD chamfered, neck OD deburred)
Primer - Winchester WLP
Powder - Fairly light charge of a relatively slow powder (8.3 grains of Hodgdon Longshot)
Projectile(s) - Three 00 Buckshot at .32 caliber and 51 grains each, in a Speer shot capsule. seated to COL of  1.6" and firmly roll crimped
Barrel - 6 1/2 inches
MV - 1,000 ft/sec nominal

A word of warning (disclaimer) - This my recipe, for my gun only, developed and tested in a controlled environment, and as loaded by me.  It is only shown for informational purposes and NOT as a recommendation for anybody to emulate.  I strongly discourage everyone from trying out ANY reloading recipes they have not worked up for themselves.

Observations:
Brass - Most brass cases brands did not allow the shot capsule to seat deeply enough for proper COL. I tested several common brands. Winchester gave me the most useful results
Case prep - Since I got the best results with a firm roll crimp, I had to trim the cases to an uniform length, because of the type of dies I used to crimp, in order for the crimp to be consistent
Primers - Using magnum primers opened up the patterns too much
Powder - Using more powder opened up the patterns more and I didn't get a correspondingly useful gain in downrange energy
Recoil - Comparatively light
Usefulness - Short range defensive sidearm use while hunting for up to 75 feet (25 yds.) and for up to coyote size.  I would chamber three of these and three Federal Hydra-Shoks, then index to the first shotshell (there have been recent warnings issued by the Dept. of Game and Wildlife about rabid fox, and other rabid critters out there).

Someone remarked that these loads might also be useful as bedroom loads; close range, low penetration, low recoil, point-and-shoot in the dark, while not necessarily fully awake or in optimum control of their motor skills, and in a high-stress situation.  That particular use and scenario I do not wish to comment on, but someone else probably will.

I consider this project as satisfactorily concluded and am now already well into my next one: developing a similar load for the .38 Special.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, hints, encouragement, etc.

I'll be back after the end of hunting season, GWAITCDR (God Willing And If The Creek Don't Rise)

bye

[peternap]

Does anyone offer a flat-top .44 [.429] ??

Hellbound
Are You asking for a revolver or a wad cutter projectile?
[/quote]

I've made a lot of multi projectile loads using flat top buck.

I make them by going to a smaller shot and mashing it in between two metal plates in a vise. When it gets to the right diameter, go to another one.

Load with a flat piece of lube in between.

It takes time but they shoot well.

I keep saying I'm gonna drill a steel plate to act as a die. That way you don't have to mic every one. It's low on a very long to do list though.
 

[P.A. Myers]

Sounds like fun. I was thinking of a hollow point over a full wad cutter.

[RJL-77]

I often wondered if a soft cast wadcutter loaded backwards (huge hollow) would be an effective round?
or powder covered with a shot card with a couple steel shot under the wadcutter?
Jim

[P.A. Myers]

Backward loaded HBWC used to be the item for 38spec used in snubs. I dont know if you can get 44 HBWC?

[Hank08]

I have a Lyman 180 gr. wadcutter mould for the .44 and I also have a swage that will make any weight disk.  I've made them 1/16" thick and stacked them 8 or 10 high. I can put gas checks on the bottom one too.  I've drilled a hole thru them and inserted a nail from the back and cut it off flush from the front, wicked bullet.  With the swage I can make a hollow pt. to go on top of this.  I also have a .429 round ball mould and they shoot good.  There's so many fun things you can do but there's so many good factory bullets now that it's hard to beat them.  You can have a lot of fun trying though.
H08

[Steve P]

There is a .429 Round Ball mold for sale here: http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=73265

Just an FYI.

Steve