45 ACP Shot Shell

Redneck Rampage · Jan 25, 2011

Well I got boarded and made a set of 45 acp dies for making shot shell.

They use 308 cases necked an cut down.

.410 wad

Right know I am working up a load for them. But don't have it right yet.

Has anyone loaded 45acp shot shells? and if so What powder did you use?

I have found data on Win 231 but I can not find any up here were I live.

308 case necked down

Matt45 · Feb 1, 2011

This is one of the cooler things I've seen in a while....what brand die did you use? You cut down a re-sizing, and crimp die, correct? How'd you do it? Lathe? Were there any other changes made?

IIRC, the CCI shotshells use a clear disk on top of the shot. Have you considered using something like a .44 black powder wad to ensure you retain the shot?

I couldn't venture a guess on powder/load, but it would seem to me that a faster buring powder might be called for because of the slickness of the .410 wad and realitive lightweight. It'll be pushed out the barrel a helluva lot easier than a 230 gr FMJ or LRN...

Redneck Rampage · Feb 1, 2011

Thanks I found a set of prints an tried making it.
I didn't use any dies, those are 3 7/8-14 grade 8 bolts.
Everything was tuned on my lathe. Took a few hours to build but not bad.
Made a punch to cut my own shot covers out of transparency paper, they work great.
I have not played with the shell lately trying to get some powder right know.

old_heli_logger · Feb 3, 2011

Nice!! Good job!

AMProducts · Feb 7, 2011

Heh, I actually have an original set of the RCBS shotshell dies I found at a yard sale for $10. There's a note in it that talks about what the guy who used them before me did. I'll dig it out and photocopy the note.

Redneck Rampage · Feb 7, 2011

The last set I saw the guy wanted $200 for them. you got a score for $10.

AMProducts · Feb 9, 2011

RCBS still sells them as a custom order die set, also I havn't gotten around to digging that die set out, I'll try to do it when I get home from work

GeneSimm7@aol.com · Feb 9, 2011

Why didn't you use 45 acp brass?

coop44 · Feb 9, 2011

Well done!! But "boarded"? Really?

Redneck Rampage · Feb 9, 2011

Because 45acp brass is to short to make a shot shell out of, So bye using a 308 you get the length you need to make the shell.

Yup I can work with metal but still mess up spelling. lol

AMProducts · Feb 9, 2011

You can also use .44 Auto-Rim, but good luck finding some of that brass just laying around. Also, .45 WinMag is another brass you can use. Again, good luck just finding some laying around, it is available from starline for about .50c apiece.

parsons_12b · Feb 9, 2011

Redneck good job on that keep us posted on how it goes if you need help testing it Im open

Redneck Rampage · Feb 9, 2011

I have see 30-06 brass used but 308 has a better case head to work with.

I am looking for powder still I might need to look in Portland for some next time I am down there.

Larry65 · Jul 21, 2012

Redneck Rampage said:
Well I got boarded and made a set of 45 acp dies for making shot shell.

They use 308 cases necked an cut down.

.410 wad

Right know I am working up a load for them. But don't have it right yet.

Has anyone loaded 45acp shot shells? and if so What powder did you use?

I have found data on Win 231 but I can not find any up here were I live.

Larry65 wrote 7-22-2012: I bought the .45 ACP RCBS dies and loaded them according to specifications. They fired but would not eject. I kept increasing the powder charge (I believe I used Unique) by 0.1 grain increments with no change. I finally cut the .308 case in half vertically and I noted the .308 was thicker therefore would not cool down as quickly as the standard .45 case therefore would hang in the barrel. I started reducing the recommended charge by 0.1 grain increments and finally hit the right combination and they fired & ejected perfectly. Instead of a wad on top I used a 00 buck and crimped it in place just enough to hold it securely. It patterned within about 12" circle at 15 yards and the 00 buck was pretty close to the center, most of the time. I suspect it might make a decent self defense load with little penetration beyond the bad guy. I believe it was in a Guns & Ammo magazine about 30-35 years ago had an article entitled the Malaya load or Buck and Ball loads for the .45. It gave the specifications of materials to use. This is as close as I can get because my home flooded out 2-3 years ago and I have not been able to locate hardly any of my reloading equipment or reference materials. I make no warranties on the above just what worked for me. Good luck.

Redneck Rampage · Jul 22, 2012

I have seen Mil Spec rounds like the ones you are talking about used in the jungle in the 60's if I remember the write up right.It was a 45acp shot shell with a 00 bb in the end. I think they also had some that were 2 or 3 ball.

Member 18201 · Jul 22, 2012

Handloader # 80 had an article with load data, as well as American Rifleman in the late 1970s and early 1980s. I will dig in the archives.
.308 brass needs to be used for the correct extractor groove cut. .30-06 brass, and its derivatives, has a thin extractor groove, and can cause extractor failures in an autoloader.

These loads fired in a revolver, will often cause complete lockup due to setback of the fired case.