Handgun shotshells
- Thread starter Jeffly
- Start date
I've used the .38/357 CCI's out to about 25 ft on barnyard rats from a 6" GP100. From the pattern and shot size (1/4 oz/9's) I think this is about the max range for this load. I've noticed no problems with my Ruger from the use of these loads.
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Be careful what you ask for..You may get it.
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Be careful what you ask for..You may get it.
I was at the range the other day investigating this issue. In my 9mm Hi-Power (clone) I would say the effective range is 5-6 yards. Beyond that, the pattern opens up pretty wide, with a hole right where I'm aiming. I guess the rifling spins the pattern into a donut shape.
Of course, at 5-6 yards, making the shot with regular ammo is a possibility, so I'm not all that sold on the shotshell idea for snakes.
Of course, at 5-6 yards, making the shot with regular ammo is a possibility, so I'm not all that sold on the shotshell idea for snakes.
I've killed a lot of rattlesnakes in my 47 years with everything from a 30-06 to my boot and though shotshells may increase your chance of a hit that does not equate to a kill. My first kill was at age 7 with a .410. Four direct hits at about 5 yards almost chewed him into pieces but he still tried to strike. Only a solid head shot will stop the ability to strike right away. Some individual snakes may be very aggressive and come after you. One day I had jeep trouble and had to walk back to the ranch house which was about 2 miles. Encountered three snakes, first two were no problem for my S&W 28 but I was for lack of a better word ambushed by the third. Only quick feet and jumping up on a boulder saved me from getting struck. My Sig 226 cycles the 9mm shotshells so I chamber one and the mag is full of HPs. MWT
I use two types of shotshells: CCI shot capsules for my 44 Spec./Mag loaded with a charge of Unique and handloaded shotshell loads in 45 Colt (I use a charge of Unique followed by a lead gas check-flat surface against powder charge-then enough shot to just about fill the brass case, and finally topping that off with another gas check-concave surface toward lead shot-followed by a roll crimp).
Years ago I read where #12 shot supposedly patterned better and killed snakes more reliably than the #9 shot usually used in these shells. After quite a bit of informal testing on potatoes, watermelons, etc., I found that the #12 did indeed pattern better. It would follow that it is also a better killer.
Finally, in answer to Jeffly's two questions: No, neither the shot nor the plastic capsules hurt the barrel or rifling in any way. Second, I have found 15-18 feet to be the optimal effective range for these loads.
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The real democratic American idea is, not that everyman shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty, without hindrance, to be what God made him . . . H.W. Beecher
Years ago I read where #12 shot supposedly patterned better and killed snakes more reliably than the #9 shot usually used in these shells. After quite a bit of informal testing on potatoes, watermelons, etc., I found that the #12 did indeed pattern better. It would follow that it is also a better killer.
Finally, in answer to Jeffly's two questions: No, neither the shot nor the plastic capsules hurt the barrel or rifling in any way. Second, I have found 15-18 feet to be the optimal effective range for these loads.
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The real democratic American idea is, not that everyman shall be on a level with every other, but that every one shall have liberty, without hindrance, to be what God made him . . . H.W. Beecher
I don't know if irony is the word to use, but I was just reading the August issue of Shooting Times and lo and behold there was a complete article on handgun shotshells by Mike Venturino. He covered nearly all sizes and had photos of his patterning targets for each. He also had some good arguments for using shotshells on snakes over standard ammo. It's worth getting the issue if you want some good info on shotshells.
No, he didn't mention whether they damage the barrel or not. I believe he would have mentioned it if they did. I have shot quite a few and there has been no damage or hint of leading. I believe the plastic capsule is the only thing that touches the barrel and that won't damage it.
One caution Venturino stated should be mentioned here. More than once he warned against shooting the shot at targets backed by wood or shooting at wood at all. He said the pellets will bounce back at the shooter since you are usually shooting at a fairly close distance. Remember that in the field you may not be wearing safety glasses when you need to shoot one in a hurry.
One caution Venturino stated should be mentioned here. More than once he warned against shooting the shot at targets backed by wood or shooting at wood at all. He said the pellets will bounce back at the shooter since you are usually shooting at a fairly close distance. Remember that in the field you may not be wearing safety glasses when you need to shoot one in a hurry.
Since we are talking snakes, I've got to ask.
Many moons ago, I was told by a Boy Scout camp counselor that the best way to shoot a rattler was to aim at the head with a 22. He claimed that bullet was slow enough, and the snake fast enough, that the snake would actually try to strike the bullet.
Now, much of this guy's Boy Scout lore has since been proven to be BS, but I've always wondered about this one. Since I've never had need to actually shoot a rattler, has anyone heard or experienced this?
Marty
Many moons ago, I was told by a Boy Scout camp counselor that the best way to shoot a rattler was to aim at the head with a 22. He claimed that bullet was slow enough, and the snake fast enough, that the snake would actually try to strike the bullet.
Now, much of this guy's Boy Scout lore has since been proven to be BS, but I've always wondered about this one. Since I've never had need to actually shoot a rattler, has anyone heard or experienced this?
Marty
That has got to be BS BS! If it wasn't then Steve Irwin (the crazy snake guy on TV) would be dead and buried by now. He, and other snake wranglers, couldn't possibly dodge out of the snakes range when it strikes at them. And besides snakes don't automatically strike at everything that comes towards them.
Calif Hunter
New member
This may also be an old wives' tale, but I've heard that the reason you can hit snakes in the head fairly easily is that they line up for a strike at the closest part of you to them. If you're pointing a gun at them, they line up with the barrel to strike at it. Again, I'm not advocating this, just repeating what may be more BS!
Bottom Gun
New member
Snakes cannot strike at bullets, nor do they align themselves with the nearest part of your body.
Why would you want to shoot snakes anyway? Simply walk away from them unless they have taken up residence on your property and pose a hazard to your children or livestock.
You’d be hard pressed to find a more helpless creature than a snake.
On numerous occasions, I’ve walked right next to rattlesnakes and twice I’ve sat down within inches of them, not knowing they were there. They have always stayed quiet and still, hoping to avoid detection. They didn’t want to harm me any more than I wanted to harm them.
Only on one occasion did a snake even rattle unprovoked. That was when I walked by one in the spring when he was shedding his skin. They can’t see very well with the old skin covering their eyes and are nervous and jumpy then.
Normally they’ll feel the ground vibrations from your footsteps a long ways off and will high tail it out of there long before you even see them.
As far as shot loads, I think they’re pretty worthless. I've yet to find a use for them. I have dispatched a number of snakes around the house with plain old SWC slugs. If you can’t hit a snake’s head with a regular bullet, then you need more practice with whatever you’re carrying.
Just my two cents.
Why would you want to shoot snakes anyway? Simply walk away from them unless they have taken up residence on your property and pose a hazard to your children or livestock.
You’d be hard pressed to find a more helpless creature than a snake.
On numerous occasions, I’ve walked right next to rattlesnakes and twice I’ve sat down within inches of them, not knowing they were there. They have always stayed quiet and still, hoping to avoid detection. They didn’t want to harm me any more than I wanted to harm them.
Only on one occasion did a snake even rattle unprovoked. That was when I walked by one in the spring when he was shedding his skin. They can’t see very well with the old skin covering their eyes and are nervous and jumpy then.
Normally they’ll feel the ground vibrations from your footsteps a long ways off and will high tail it out of there long before you even see them.
As far as shot loads, I think they’re pretty worthless. I've yet to find a use for them. I have dispatched a number of snakes around the house with plain old SWC slugs. If you can’t hit a snake’s head with a regular bullet, then you need more practice with whatever you’re carrying.
Just my two cents.