Always looking for new/old things to try, I dug out some old Guns&Ammo magazines a few years ago and stumbled on some of Elmer Keith's “Gun Notes". The October, 1969 issue dealt with shot loads for revolvers, cheap and easy to assemble for just about any revolver caliber.
The basic loading sequence is simple, no special equipment or shot cups needed, just cases, primers, powder, fine shot, and gas checks, (or card wads of the proper size).
Resize and prime as usual.
Dispense proper powder charge for caliber, (see chart below).
Ram a gas check, cup down or card disc down on top of the powder.
With an appropriate size scoop such as a LEE dipper, dispense the shot charge to within 1/16” below the mouth of the case. Fine shot, #8-#12 works best.
Place another gas check cup down, or card disc in the mouth of the case and crimp as normal.
Elmer lists loads for .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum, .44 Special, .44 Magnum, and .45 Colt. Bullseye is the only powder he listed.
.357 Magnum-2.5gr.
.41 Magnum and .44 special-3.0gr.
.44 Magnum and .45 Colt-3.5gr.
Elmer used gas checks, but I don't use gas checks for any handgun load, so I used some ALCAN .44 card discs for .44 Magnum in my 4” S&W 629-3. They work great, giving an effective pattern out to 20 feet from the muzzle. Plenty good for vermin and small game at close range, or some aerial trick shooting.
