SNAKE SHOT LOADS FOR .380 AUTO, NEED ADVICE

[USARO4]

IM WORKING UP A SNAKE SHOT LOAD BY CUTTING DOWN SPEER SHOTSHELL CUPS TO A SIZE THAT WILL CHAMBER IN A 380.  PROBLEM IS THE CASE CAPACITY IS SO SMALL THAT WHEN I ADD A 2.0 GRAIN LOAD OF RED DOT AND SEAT THE SHOT CUP I END UP WITH A COMPRESSED LOAD OF FAST BURNING POWDER. AM I MAKING A BOMB?

[Iowegan]

I doubt you are making a bomb. Weigh the shot and cups together. If they weigh less than 88~90 grains, you should be OK. I've made snake loads for 38's, 44's and 45 ACPs but never for a case as small as a 380. I would think you will have problems getting the action to cycle and failure to feed problems. Let us know how this works.

[USARO4]

THANKS FOR THE REPLY IOWEGAN. THE FILLED SHOT CAPSULE WEIGHS 40 GRAINS AND HOLDS APPROX 60 #9 PELLETS. IM MAKING THESE FOR A FRIEND WHOSE ONLY PISTOL IS A BERSA 380. HE NEEDS SNAKE PROTECTION ON CANOEING AND CAMPING TRIPS HERE IN TENNESSEE, SO IM BEING VERY CAUTIOUS ON WORKING UP THIS LOAD, DONT WANT TO HURT HIM OR HIS GUN. I HAVE COME UP WITH AN OAL THAT ACTUALLY FEEDS THRU THE MAG AND CHAMBERS RELIABLY, THEY PROBABLY WONT CYCLE THE SLIDE THOUGH. LIKE I SAID EARLIER, TO GET THE CORRECT LENGTH TO CHAMBER AND STILL HOLD A DECENT SHOT CHARGE REQUIRES COMPRESSION OF THE POWDER. I TALKED TO THE BOYS AT MY LOCAL RELOADING SHOP TODAY AND THEY THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE SAFE. IM DOING A TEST FIRING TOMMORROW AND WILL LET YOU KNOW THE RESULTS.

[boneguru]

let us know how it went!!!

[rickyp]

If he needs a snake load so bas I would tell him ot go out and buy a 22  or 22 mag. revolver. they are normaly smaller and lighter. and you can get factory made snake loads almost any place. ther will not be any issues with falure to cycle. and he can put a handfull of normal shells in the revolver and use it for some small game hunting.

[boneguru]

with the 5 shot revolver you can put in both shot and regular, I carry 3 shot capsules for the crawlies and two hollow points, for the walkies, R