Posted by denny mcdaniels on Feb 08, 2025 in Handgun Cartridge Reloading Info, Product Review
I have written this article because the reloading data for Speer handgun shot shells is not easy to find. So, I referenced both the SPEER Reloading Manual Number 12 and SPEER Reloading Manual Number 14 in order to obtain data needed to load Handgun Shot Capsules in .38 Special, .44 Special, 44 Magnum and 45 Colt. A plastic SHOT CAPSULE is designed for close-range pest control and “Snake Medicine”. The capsules are made from a brittle plastic that breaks apart when contact from the rifling is made; base wads are more flexible plastic to promote a gas seal.
The effective range is shy of 20 feet. Estimating shot pattern generally is 1 inch of spread for every foot in distance.
THE RELOADING PROCESS
1-Fill the CAPSULE (the scooping method works the best) leaving enough room to seat the base wad. The best patterns are from fully filled capsules, and the shot size should not exceed #7-1/2.
2-CAPSULES are seated like a conventional bullet, use a flat-faced or a wadcutter seating plug.
3-Apply a moderate crimp as the goal is to avoid breaking the CAPSULE.
38 SPECIAL tested weight using #9 shot: 109-grains COL: 1.500 inches.> 5.5-grains UNIQUE produced 1111 fps, 4.5-grains 700-X produced 1060 fps, 4.5-grain HP-38 produced 1054 fps, 4.5-grain BULLSEYE produced 1021 fps.
SPEER #8782 44-caliber Shot Capsules, click here to shop.
44 SPECIAL tested weight using #9 shot: 140-grains COL: 1.600 inches.> 6.7 grains UNIQUE produced 1005 fps, 5.3 grains 700-X produced 1014 fps, 5.8 grain HP-38 produced 1055 fps, 48.2-grain HS-6 produced 1029 fps.
44 MAGNUM tested weight using #9 shot: 140-grains COL: 1.600 inches.> 6.8 grains UNIQUE produced 1097 fps, 5.7 grains 700-X produced 1105 fps, 6.0- grains HP-38 produced 1061 fps, 6.0-grain BULLSEYE produced 1101 fps.
45 COLT tested weight using #9 shot: 150-grains COL: 1.575 inches. > 7.5 grains UNIQUE produced 975 fps, 5.5 grains 700-X produced 9155 fps, 6.0- grains WINCHESTER 231 produced 925 fps, 5.5-grain BULLSEYE produced 875 fps, 5.7-grains TITEGROUP produced 920 fps.
Speer #8785 45-Caliber revolver Shot Capsules – Click here to shop.
