Making your own Shorties...

[P-12 Norm]

I inherited a TON of field loads when my FIL passed. For decades apparently, he would buy a box each time when he went hunting, and accumulated a LOT of extra shells.

Most are either #6 or #7 1/2. Was thinking of cutting them down and using a roll crimper to make then into shorties, reducing the powder a bit, and replacing the wads to make them better defense loads.

I have shot-cards to cover it if I use shot, and am thinking about the RSS sabot that handles .50 pistol bullets.

Any hints, ideas, suggestions, dirty remarks? All are appreciated.

 

[lazarus]

I inherited a TON of field loads when my FIL passed. For decades apparently, he would buy a box each time when he went hunting, and accumulated a LOT of extra shells.

Most are either #6 or #7 1/2. Was thinking of cutting them down and using a roll crimper to make then into shorties, reducing the powder a bit, and replacing the wads to make them better defense loads.

I have shot-cards to cover it if I use shot, and am thinking about the RSS sabot that handles .50 pistol bullets.

Any hints, ideas, suggestions, dirty remarks? All are appreciated.

Only suggestion I would have is that unless you are going to use them in an O/U SxS or Single shot, don't use shorties as self defense ammo. Especially not ones you are making yourself. You really positive it'll have 100% feeding reliability under the worst possible circumstances?

 

[P-12 Norm]

Well, I have a Mossberg so I was thinking the Opsol adapter would take care of that.

 

[Biggfoot44]

I have been diving into handloading buckshot, with emphasis on long range . I have accumulated a pile of the various components , and waiting to have free time to start experementing .

If you want to roll crimp on purpose , trimming just the actual petals , and then roll crimping will give a COL just barely shorter than a conventional crimped shell . Or did you think you wanted an actual Shorty on purpose ? Or for that matter , it is also a * thing * to use an awl or such to carefully open a crimped shell . Or possibly just shooting a couple of boxes to creat some once fired hulls .

Are you contemplating a direct substitution of Buck for the original #6 or #7.5 , using same powder charge and wad , or using new powder and wad on purpose ?

" Field Load " is kind of broad , what actual shot weight of inherited shells ? 1oz , 1 1/8 oz, 1 1/4oz , or ?? What type of hulls ? One piece, two piece , promotional , or ??

And most importantly , what is your conception of * Defensive Load * ? Wide range from reduced recoil " Tactical " , to duplication of traditional factory loads , to purpose built long range loads .

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To learn more about handloading Buckshot that you realized was out there to known , check out the videos from Wade Rush . aka Bubba Rountree .

 

[temccoy]

Hello - I have a different perspective on this question. From what I have read of legal cases, you should not use hand loads for self defense loads. If you end up in court defending yourself for the defensive use of your firearm, it gives the prosecutor something else to go after you for. I am not saying it is right or wrong, it is just the world we live in, especially in Maryland.

 

[lazarus]

Hello - I have a different perspective on this question. From what I have read of legal cases, you should not use hand loads for self defense loads. If you end up in court defending yourself for the defensive use of your firearm, it gives the prosecutor something else to go after you for. I am not saying it is right or wrong, it is just the world we live in, especially in Maryland.

It is an unlikely thing. Just like a prosecutor going after you for using an excessive caliber (10mm).

The only instances I’ve ever read of it happening there was a lot more to the case than joe blow who had someone break in to their house.

IE it was one more on a list of things the prosecutor was presenting to a jury.

And I’ve only ever reading it occurring less than a handful of times ever. Out of several thousand defensive shootings a year.

IMHO I’d much rather lean on a commercial load than my own hand loads for defensive purposes unless I had no other option.

I’ve got little experience with reloading shotgun shells. But unless they’ve all dried up right now, buckshot isn’t stratospherically priced or impossible to get. A few boxes to function check, a few boxes to keep on hand.

Shorties in particular I’d be dubious of until I’ve run scores of the exact thing I’d be running in a DGU.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Wow , Holy Deja Vu , and ironic turnabout , I'm usually the one saying that !

Yes , for metallic ammunition from the 1990's to current , absolutely so . Along those lines , everyone so inclined should pay scalper prices for two boxes of Federal LE- 132 , and declare Victory !

However , according to the Originator and primary advocate of that advice , up thru say the mid 1980's there used to be two astrix to that general rule , that could arguably make handloads acceptably prudent to use ;

1. In a caliber for which no suitable Defensive ammunition is commercially available .
2. AND the User be able to clearly articulate WHY his loads were both inherently safe and non- reckless, AND Why it would be SAFER to carry instead of commercial alternatives .

To show what I mean , go in your mental time machine back to just before Hollow Points were offered in .45Colt .

" My loads were produced using a charge X % Under the recommended load data from ( cite authoritative source ) to be more safe to the public , by being Less powerful . I used a 185gr JHP instead of the factory standard Lead Round Nose , because the JHP is much less likely to outpenetrate and endanger bystanders , AND would be more likely for assailants to fall down and stop being a threat after being shot a fewer number of times , ultimately leading to better chances of his survival ."

In 2020 could you make a similar argument about Shotgun ? Potentially along the line of :

This Reduced Recoil Buffered 2Buck loading has less recoil , better control , and thus less risk of missing the intended target and endangering unseen bystanders with missed shots . The buffered load , in a specialist shotcup wad will group the pellets more closely together on the intended target , reducing the chance of stray pellets failing to hit intended target even when properly aimed . And 2Buck will not penetrate as deeply as 00 or #1 Buck , reducing the danger of pellets going thru walls or other barriers to endanger unseen bystanders on the other side . Also less chance of completely penetrating the torso of the bad guy , to endanger any unseen innocent bystanders standing unseen behind the bad guy .

Is that foolproof Or legal guidance ? Of course not . If you want foolproof legal- ish recommendations , pay scalper prices for Fed LE- 132 , and reserve your handloads for hunting and sport .

But there is enough valid counterargument , that presently I don't self censor from any mention of Buckshot handloads .

 

[danimalw]

Anyone who trusts a prosecutor (or anyone on government) to do the "right thing" is a damn fool.

They may or may not use the handload against you, but why take chance?

Mas Ayoob has some great videos discussing what prosecutors do and I'd think that man knows way more than I do.