I tried this

http://www.castbullet.com/reload/44shot.htm

with .38 Special.

I bought a box of factory shells in #8 to mine them for shot. I found that I quickly ran out of pattern. I was shooting empty, ah, adult beverage cans to scientifically measure penetration and pattern.

My personal conclusion is that I gained no range over what I can achieve with 158gr hollow point at .38 Sp velocities.

If I was going to do this seriously, I would use the smaller shot and use .357 brass or the capsules.

Incidentally, a mix of lead shot and dry corn starch provided the best pattern and penetration. I think I lost a lot of pressure because the cardboard functions poorly as a wad.


I am a conservative with a lowercase "c".