Guilty as charged.

Cut down 223 case.

It's great when you have a 300 blk case with a cracked neck, that was cut down from a 223 case originally.

So a 223 case lives 3 times. As long as the primer pocket remains tight.



Almost the same thing as making 45 ACP shotshells.

I used a 32 H&R Mag sizing die to form the shoulder.

Got them to function in my CZ 85.

Going to shop in a little while and will gather the rest of my info including loading data. Back tonight.

Ya, every knows about that.

Trouble is the powder charges didn't work in my 1911, so I experimented until I had a load that functions 100% of the time.

That's how I started and wanted to expand my shotshell making to 9mm.

So  I did.



Cut 223 cases to 1.05, final trim was 1.00 after annealing and forming the shoulder.

Used a 32 H&R Mag sizing die, adjusted real short for that.

All of these loads were shot from a CZ 85, have no idea what they would do in a Glock as I don't have any Glocks.

Powder Charges; NOTE there is no published data for this and I experimented to find a charge that would function. Use this data at your own risk.

Note 2, there comes a point where the powder takes up too much room in the case and leaves you little space for the shot.

Weighed the shot charge that would fit into the case and got an average of 63 grs.

So I decided that 90 gr 9mm data would be a good place to start from and work up.

I started with True Blue. no surprise if you read my posts.
Got up to 6.0 grs, Load shot ok but didn't function. Scratched True Blue. See note 2.

Clays 3.0 grs shot ok, didn't function. Scratched Clays.

Bullseye, I had high hopes as that is what I use in 45 ACP shotshells.
Started at 4.0 grs and worked up to 6.2 grs where it almost functioned.
My charge in 45 ACP is 7.0 grs so I was getting nervous and didn't go any higher. So scratched Bullseye.

Started TiteGroup at 2.5 grs, shot ok no function.
Tried 3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0 grs. Again shot good no function.
Next outing tried 5.2 grs and got intermittent cycling.
At 5.4 grs got 100% function. I have now settled on 5.5 grs TiteGroup as my standard load.

Notice in the pics the wads I punched out. After charging with powder a wad is placed over powder and pressed down with the dowel.
I use a 5/16 punch, but started with a sharpened 357 case, but picking out the wads was a pita.

Then the shot is added until it completely fills the case. Case should be inside a pan or lid to catch the shot that is trying to escape.
Press the shot down with the dowel and place final wad over shot.

Then crimp the mouth with a 45 ACP RN seater die. A little at a time, lowering the die so I do 4 crimps to get the results you see.

If you don't anneal the cases you can't get a crimp.

Crimp does 2 things. Keeps shot in case. I don'rt use any glue or wax, but you could if you wanted to.
Second gives a nice rounded neck so round feeds like a FMJ bullet.

As expected the 9mm shotshell is no where as good as the 45 ACP shotshell.

But up to about 10 feet it eats beer cans up.

I'm using the stock recoil spring, 16 lb IIRC.

The thing with Bullseye was I was almost at my 45 ACP shotshell charge and it didn't function.

So I chickened out.

Good luck and work up carefully.

You would have to find a sizing die that would reduce the outside of the neck of 10mm brass to less than the bullet diameter of .401.

As the new neck takes the place of the bullet as case feeds.

I did that, still not as easy as a proper punch.

I have heard of gas checks being used for wads, but I'm cheap and don't want to use a .03 gas check when paper wads work fine for me.

https://www.harborfreight.com/9-piece-hollow-punch-set-3838.html $8.99 for the set.

I'm not following, an expander let you crimp in 1 pass? More info please.

What are you shooting your 45 Shotshells in?

Mine were fired in a 1911, and it took 7.0 grs Bullseye for reliable function.

Enjoying this thread and hope to learn more with this off the beaten track load.

Turn expander upside down to crimp, I would of never thought of that.

38 Special case to tamp down wads.



I use a short piece of wood dowel and a light plastic mallet.

Thanks for the pic of the B die.

Do you have any TiteGroup to try in 9mm?

I settled on 5.5 grs. Started to function at 5.2 grs.

Fired in a CZ 85.

I had no luck with Bullseye, Unique, True Blue, and Clays.

I quit using W 231 years ago as it burns so dirty.

I didn't try Red Dot, but I'm done experimenting with my load.

Good luck.