CCI .22 Magnum Shotshells? Opinions/Experiences?

B

Blinkme7182

New member
I was just on CCI's sight and was intrigued by the .22 magnum Shotshells that have #12 shot in them. Can I shoot this type of ammunition out of a Marlin 81TS (a "regular" .22)? Anyone had any experience with this type of ammo? Let me know...
Marc
 
Assuming by regular 22 you mean 22 LR, no you can not us the 22 mag. It is a bigger cartridge and will not chamber. CCI does make 22 LR shotshells that will work. All shotshells out of rifled barrells are very short range things, maybe 15 feet, then the "pattern" is very poor. Inside of that range they are effective on little critters. Some folks like them for snakes which I have never tried. I have used them for rats inside a garage and they are perfect for that.
 
I have used the CCI "shot" loads in 38/357 and compared that to a regular (Winchester brand) .22 LR "rat shot". These are the ones with the end of the case crimped and look like a .22 blank that is used to drive nails in concrete. I dont know if its the length of the barrel or some other variable, but the lesser amount of shot in the .22 rimfire when fired out of a rifle gave me much better groups than the 38/357 when fired out of a 4" pistol. I had bought some of the CCI in 38/357 for "snake loads" while fishing. First fishing trip I had loaded 3 "shotshells" then 3 125 grain .357's. Saw an ole "stump tail" on a log and decided to test the shotshells. First shot at about 15 feet just made him wake up! Second and Third shot just p***** him off and he was intent on coming to visit me. First shot with the warm loaded 125 grain Sierra JHC ended the meeting in my favor. When I got home I got some of those throw away aluminum pie pans that those pre-made pies from the store come in. I tested at 15 feet and the .22 LR with less shot would group entirely in that pie pan. The 38/357 would put maybe 5 or 6 on it! I fired up what I had left and used the brass to reload. Went and bought another box of .22's!
 
The CCI shotshells work fairly well at close range ie. less than 30 ft. for sparrows, starlings, rats and snakes. There is a dramatic difference in patterning between guns so check yours out. We just use the 22lr shotshells as the magnums didn't seem to be significantly better and are higher priced. The small shot does not penetrate metal roofing, so these are a good practice round to eliminate vermin in machine sheds etc.

MFH
 
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