Anyone with experience with "Shot-shells" for handguns?

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Rome

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I'm curious about "shot-shells". These shells are designed for standard caliber handguns like .45acp, .22, .38, etc, etc. but don't have a bullet installed. Instead they have very small shot encased in either the cartridge (.45) or exposed in a clear plastic "bullet" (small caliber). The purpose of these rounds is to be able to use them like "tiny shotguns" pest control: snakes, chipmunks, etc. They supposedly have a very low charge (able to cycle the slide?) so that they are lethal to small pests but only at a close distance. I'm curious about these types of ammo and wonder if anyone has used them?

Rome
 
I got some in .38Sp because here in Florida we encounter a snake from time to time. They work very well on Mr. No-Shoulders but I've only used them in a revolver. I know they're around for autos, but I've never tried them. Good Luck
 
Shot capsules (formerly called "rat shot") will work on small pests and snakes at close range--- 3 to 5 yds. Naturally the bigger bores work better although I have used the .22 version effectively. The .22's will not reliabily work the slide on a pistol. Don't know about the larger bores. Works best in my .44 Magnums. They're "bad medicine" for Texas diamondbacks at close range which is my primary use. regards, birdman
 
I've used them some in revolvers and they worked fine. Leaded the barrel some.
Carry the first cylinder in my .22mag NAA loaded with snake shot. I don't have to be as accurate to make a point.
Never had any luck with them functioning in a .45 auto.



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I have tried several kinds of shot cartridges for the .45 ACP, but none have reliably operated the slide. Some will not fit the magazine.

.22 shot cartridges are pretty light for even the small animals. A lot are bought by "antique" furniture salesmen for creating artificial worm holes.

Jim
 
I've been using the CCI shot shells in both of my 45's.A Glock 30 and a custom 1911.They function perfectly in both guns.I use it for short range ground squirrels and an occasional snake.They have a range of about 25 ft.
 
I've tried using the .22 shotshells in a Ruger 22/45 and 10/22 and both have fired but failed to extract the casing.
 
How loud are these puppies (in .45)? If they were reasonably discrete, I could make use of them in the back yard on some really annoying crows & squirrels, but a full pistol report would definitely honk oof the neighbors. Thx, M2
 
Mike in Va,

they are still plenty loud (at least in the round I used a .22 Magnum). Use the standard hearing protectors. As for the neighbors I would not risk it...
 
I spend a good bit of time in the woods and carry shot shells as my first round in my *&* M15 (38sp) and my Glock 19. Recoil is light enough that you would think it wouldn't cycle the G19, but it does. My practice tells me I would have to be pretty close to the critter to do it serious harm.
 
Rome: I have used lots of .22 ShotShells in my Ruger22/45. Sometimes cycles the spent casing, sometimes not. I shoot rats in my dog kennel with them. It's lots more fun than DECON.

Effective range is very short, I like to be with 6 to 12 feet. Kills rats at that distance. I did some pattern shots are cardboard boxs. Amazing how many pellets do not even penetrate! Check it out.

Again, it is a fun shell to shoot. --plinker2--
 
Mike in VA,

In the backyard, I use CCI CB (Conical Ball) ammo in .22 short for raccoons, possums, crows et al., although a pellet gun works just as well on the birds.

The .22 CB is just a little louder than a pellet gun (like a door slammed hard).

I wouldn't try it with a .45, YMMV.
 
I have used them twice on copperheads about 4', instant death. It was in a Ruger .40, it didn't cycle and it split the case about 1/16. Distance I'd say was about 8 to 10 feet. Alot easier to carry that a shotgun but very exspensive in .40.

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HaTeDrUgY:
Who makes them in .40? I have been dying to find some and I don't care if they are a little pricy.
 
When I run across a snake I will be happy to share the results with you. They just seem to hide when I am out and about.
 
I've used the CCI brand in 22lr. They will cycle in my Ruger Slab side about 7 out of 10 times, There also good about running off stray dogs.
 
Thanks a ton, everyone. I didn't know if these shot shells would damage the weapons but it doesn't appear so. As for a source, check out www.cheaperthandirt.com . I found them in their catalogue but bet they are on their website, too.

Wait 'till I tell my retired LT. LEO mother-in-law about this. She has been waging a personal war against chipmunks for two years now with no success. I wonder if this will get her to dust off her .38?

R

[This message has been edited by Rome (edited June 22, 2000).]
 
I carry the .38 in my .357 out on my ATV around the farm for the occasional cottonmouth. Very effective at short ranges 5yds or so.
 
In the larger bores (.44 or .45) the CCI shotshell is supreme on snakes - at close ranges (couple yards) it will blow most of the head right off and turn the rest into snakeburger. I've used the CCI shells in a M1911 and an HK USP45f with no stoppages of any kind. Report is about the same for regular ball loads.

I live on a rocky ridge in a mature hardwood forest, in central NC. Prime copperhead country. Plus I heat with wood so I spend a lot of time poking around downed trees - I still have more than 25 trees down on my farm lot from Hurricane Fran. Copperheads love downed trees. So the USP goes into the woods with me along with the chainsaw. It's a great alternative to the .410 shotgun I used to take woodcutting. The USP is always on my hip when I need it, the shotgun always seemed to be lying on the ground where I left it.

Ken Strayhorn
Hillsborough NC
 
Thanks for info, guys, the CB caps sound like just the ticket. I've been looking for an excuse to add a .22 to the armory. I have a raised deck with lattice all around that would make a nice discrete blind for bustin' crows and bushy tailed rats.
M2
 
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