Hey y'all,
Does anybody have any experience reloading pistol shotshells? What size shot would you recommend for snake or general purpose? My cousin has a 5.5" Ruger Blackhawk .45 Colt he reloads for using #8s over 6.5 grains of W-231 and they are pretty good snake medicine out to around 12-15 yards max. I was just wondering since the .44 is smaller diameter if I should go down to #9s or smaller. BTW, I have a Smith 629 w/ 6.5" barrel if that makes any dif.

There are a couple of sights out there with step-by-step instructions and pictures. Google around a while and your bound to come across one of them. I wouldn't use anything bigger than #9 'cause we're talking about a 15yard MAX range. Besides, rats and snakes are about the only thing these are good for unless you have a custom smooth barrel. #9 will take care of those two critters just fine. Heck, I wanna say that one of the sights I'm thinking of used #12!!! (Not even sure if it exists...I know I've never seen it)

who's makin a shot capsule for a 45 colt??? last I knew speer only made them for 38/357 cal and 44 cal. I load 38 spcl shotshells using 4.5 to 5 grains unique with a lee .5cc dipper and a dose of #8's yea might have a little low pellet count but I use them only for rattle snakes if they get too close for comfort 5 to 10 feet or under any further or if they are fleeing I assume let them be, because they do help keep the rats down. but the #8's do fine I load 12 ga trap loads with #8's and dont see the point in buying shot specifically for the pistol shot shells.

Actually, Speer makes caps for the .45LC. I load them for most everything I carry. I've used #9 as well as #11 shot. Number 11 and 12 shot is pretty fine stuff, but gives good shot density for close range.

Hey y'all,
Thanks for the feedback. I just got my shotshell caps in today from Natchez Shooters Supply. I will probably go to my local sporting goods store to get some shot later this week. I guess I'll try 8's or 9's if they have them. Will try to reload some this weekend and get to the range sometime next week to try them out. I'll keep y'all posted