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Thread: Easy .41 magnum shotshells

  1. #1
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    Easy .41 magnum shotshells

    I use wads cut from a shotshell or .22 rimfire box. I made the wad punch cutter from a cut off and sharply chamfered 8x57mm steel case. They are .413" or so.
    I prime and flare unsized .41 brass. I use a .5cc Lee scoop of Bullseye, then push an over powder wad down snug with an inverted fired .38 Special case. I use the .38 case full of #12 shot, pour it in then seat the over shot wad like before. Crimp, then seal with LLA or whatever. I like LLA.
    They pattern well from my Blackhawk at 15 feet as shown on the painted barrel lid; even better at 10 feet.
    They will shred a copperhead pretty well.
    #12 shot is the best; I steal it from my almost gone box of Rio 12 gauge 2-3/4 #12s - ( talk about SMOKE a clay bird)!
    The original brass crimped .22 shot loads are still useful( but unobtainable at present) and I like the plastic Speer capsules for our .38 Specials, but these .41s are better and cheap. They work perfectly for me, Your mileage may vary.

    Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

  2. #2
    Boolit Master


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    Can't argue with those results!
    “Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”
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    I've been meaning to experiment with this, using some Alum GC samples I got years ago (that didn't work on my boolit bases). But card wads sure look like the way to go, judging my your excellent results.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    “If someone has a gun and is trying to kill you, it would be reasonable to shoot back with your own gun.”
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  4. #4
    Boolit Master
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    I have made wads for .44 Mag from that type of card board for other kinds of specialty loads but the thought occurred to me:

    Why not use the side out of antifreeze jugs or quart oil bottles for wad cutting?

    Very good patterns there Texas By God!

    Kudos!

    Three44s
    Quote Originally Posted by Bret4207

    “There is more to this than dumping lead in a hole.”

  5. #5
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    Milk cartons and plastic milk jugs also make good wad material for this purpose.

    Hope this helps.

    Fred
    After a shooting spree, they always want to take the guns away from the people who didn't do it. - William S. Burroughs.

  6. #6
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by ReloaderFred View Post
    Milk cartons and plastic milk jugs also make good wad material for this purpose.

    Hope this helps.

    Fred
    +10!

    Three44s
    Quote Originally Posted by Bret4207

    “There is more to this than dumping lead in a hole.”

  7. #7
    Boolit Master
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    Innovation at it's best. Everything about this creation now has me stirring to give this a try. Mr. Noshouldser, beware!

  8. #8
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    What to do with the shotless leftover shot shells?
    Why fill them with used primers, crimp and put a bit of candle wax on them.
    I would not hunt with them, but they would scoot a unwanted varmint or misbehaving bull along nicely I figure.

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    wow thomas... nice Job....

    but I must admit I am a bit surprised how much time you spent playing with all this when there are chores to do round the ranch?????

    Any technology not understood, can seem like Magic!!!

    I will love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind.

  10. #10
    Boolit Master
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    Here you go, #12 shot by the bag!

    https://www.ballisticproducts.com/Ch...uctinfo/02612/

    Three44s
    Quote Originally Posted by Bret4207

    “There is more to this than dumping lead in a hole.”

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by Markopolo View Post
    wow thomas... nice Job....

    but I must admit I am a bit surprised how much time you spent playing with all this when there are chores to do round the ranch?????

    Hauling hay today- Thank God for round bales.
    Thanks for the link, 3-44s!
    Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk
    Last edited by Texas by God; 06-20-2021 at 01:49 PM.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    Texas,

    Excellent post! I have never seen #12 shot for sale so I use #6 or #7.5 shot in my .38 Special,.357, .41, .44 and .45 snake loads. I use gas checks with the cup UP over the powder and another GC, cup down, atop the shot and roll crimp.

    Be well.

    Adam

  13. #13
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    Buzz Krumhunger's Avatar
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    What is LLA?

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by Buzz Krumhunger View Post
    What is LLA?
    It's Lee Liquid Alox(tumble lube). Sorry about the acronym. I have three millennials.

    Sent from my SM-A716U using Tapatalk

  15. #15
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    This thread has inspired me to try shotshells. I jumped in and bought the bag of #12 shot. I had never seen any before. Boy! they are tiny. I'm going to work with .44 Mag. I only have one, a Ruger Bisley that I hardly ever shoot. Since it is not that much bigger than the .41, I plan to start with the same load as TBG. I figure I can't get in trouble that way.

    I'm going to keep following for any additional pointers.
    John
    W.TN

  16. #16
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    Do these lead your barrel up much? I was thinking about some in 45 colt in my 4 inch redhawk.................Curdog

  17. #17
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    I haven’t noticed any leading so far.

  18. #18
    Boolit Master
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    You may want to try the .410 plastic wads for a shotsleeve in those .41 Mag. cases.
    With that no.12 shot it will give you a better pattern.

  19. #19
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    I found the fat little field mouse that's been eating bird seed and range cubes. It was trapped in the galvanized( with lid) barrel I keep dog food in.
    I grabbed the .41 and carried the can out back and gave mouse a running chance- he shouldn't have stopped running ......

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  20. #20
    Boolit Master JMax's Avatar
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    A nice simple solution for pests. Years ago I made 41 shot shells out of 30-30 brass, had to trim the case rim a bit, cut it to cylinder length and fire formed it a bit and loaded it with #8 shot for grouse when I went elk hunting.

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Abbreviations used in Reloading

BP Bronze Point IMR Improved Military Rifle PTD Pointed
BR Bench Rest M Magnum RN Round Nose
BT Boat Tail PL Power-Lokt SP Soft Point
C Compressed Charge PR Primer SPCL Soft Point "Core-Lokt"
HP Hollow Point PSPCL Pointed Soft Point "Core Lokt" C.O.L. Cartridge Overall Length
PSP Pointed Soft Point Spz Spitzer Point SBT Spitzer Boat Tail
LRN Lead Round Nose LWC Lead Wad Cutter LSWC Lead Semi Wad Cutter
GC Gas Check