CCI Pest Control Shotgun Shell

Is there any body our there can tell me what the optimal range is for
CCI 1/4 oz. #9 shotgun shell used in 38/357 mag revolvers?
Just bought a box of ten count. Lots of snakes and varmints
here in Tennessee.

ALS0, does this ammo have any SD merits???

I appreciate any info on this.
Doc
 
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Those I've used patterned well to 10' or so out of 2" - 4" guns. If a snake is close enough to be a threat, it's close enough for the shot shells to deal with him.
 
I had a snake in a bush outside my front window trying to get in the house, so I stepped out the front door, about ten feet from him, and shot him with a CCI 22 cal. snake shot shell with a Rossi Gallery gun. One shot to the head and, dead!
I also have them in 38 and 45 Long Colt.
 
They are useless for self defense against most things with legs, but fine for snakes and birds at less than 15 feet
 
What Snyper said. For snakes and birds they're good if you're close enough to spit on them. Other than that, they're neat for exploding fruits/vegetable/eggs. Definitely not for self defense.
 
You can buy empty capsules and load your own, which gives the advantage of being able to use any size shot, or a mix of different sizes, up to and including buckshot

Without a heavy crimp they tend to back out of the cases with recoil so sometimes you can only load one or two at a time
 
I called Ruger today of see the progress of repairing the Crane Latch on my wife's LCR 357 which they completey removed the existing latch with a brand new latch and asked about using CCI Varmint shells and was told that YES
Ruger allows this, but that blue top to the shell can stick inside the barrel and is a real bear to remove. Now I don't know what to do.

So, I can use it but BEWARE
 
Ruger allows this, but that blue top to the shell can stick inside the barrel and is a real bear to remove. Now I don't know what to do.
I've been shooting them off and on for about 35 years and have never heard of that happening.

Even if it did, I see no reason why it would be hard to remove, since it's relatively thin plastic
 
CCI Shot Shells

I live in little town of 300 out in the sticks. If something aggravates us we usually just shot it and forget it. My wife puts a lot of time and effort in her
flower beds. We had trouble with certain kind of pest tearing up the beds.
We did not want to kill them, just sting them enough they wouldn't come
back. So I got some 22 shot, put in single shot b/a by the door. Shot pest
at 20-25'. Capsule failed to open. Killed it dead,might as well used Hp, except
no over penetration. Moral: don't shoot them at anything you don't want dead.
I'm back to Daisy BB gun!
 
My experience has been 10 to 15 feet. Speer makes the little plastic capsules that they use, so you can load your own, using what ever size shot you prefer. I prefer #9 shot, for density, but I have also used 6's and 4's. No matter what you choose, pattern them so you will know your maximum effective range. Midway USA lists the capsules in their web site. Keep yer powder dry........Robin ;)
 
Is there any body our there can tell me what the optimal range is for
CCI 1/4 oz. #9 shotgun shell used in 38/357 mag revolvers?

The rifling puts a spin on the shot charge, which causes a rapidly dispersing pattern that limits the effective range to about 10 feet. Past that range the pattern looks like a doughnut, with shot everywhere except where you want it.

ALS0, does this ammo have any SD merits???

None whatsoever.
 
Get a large piece of cardboard - set it out at ten feet - shoot one and see what the pattern is on the cardboard. You might try a couple of different distances.

I reload so have made my own using the plastic Speer capsules. I really wasn't that impressed with them. I haven't had time to play with it yet but I got 500 gas checks for 38s and will try those. A GC pressed into the casing over the powder - load shot - a GC on top with a light crimp.

On another site, some have loaded their own but made their own shot sleeves they've made out of material from plastic milk jug. Evidently, they've had some good luck with putting the shot inside of a home-made shot capsule as it carries the shot out better and gives a better pattern.

If you're going after snakes (rattlers, copperheads, etc.) then you really should try a few out and see how they pattern out of your particular handgun. If you are a distance away . . . retreating from the situation is the best move. If you end up on top of one or a few feet away . . . well . . . if you know how they pattern you'll know how they hit.
 
The furthest I've seen them be effective on critters is about 7 yards, and that was out of a 5" Colt Python.

5" Python??? You have something special since they came in 2.5", 4", 6" and
8" barrels.
 
To make a long story short, they're fairly comparable to the riot controll rubber buckshot and in some areas are even considered a less than lethal ammunition(At least here in northern PA they are).

The only time you're justified in discharging a firearm in an SD situation is because someone is threatening you enough that you are justified in using lethal force.

If that's the case you are going to want to be able to supply it, in large quantities and right now, not two shots from now. There's no place for less than lethal ammo outside of law enforcement.
 
I have heard of the blue cap failing on the CCI, but in a tube fed gun from abrasion. I have had great luck with Federal 22LR shotshells with the crimp end. I use them in Marlin tube fed rifle. Perhaps there is a production 357 with a crimp?
 
"Nowadays, when ever I carry one, at least the first two rounds in my revolver are always CCI shot shells. If nothin else it takes a little pressure off of giving that warning shot, if need be, so I say go for it."

Warning shot??? That'll get you killed or put in jail.
If you are justified in shooting at all, shot shells are the LAST thing you want to be shooting!
 
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