Small game with .44 mag/birdshot?

[heydeerman]

Any experience with this? I am interested in giving this a shot. I will be using factory loads and if you can recommend something I would appreciate it.

 

[Greybeard]

Shot loads are typically not very effective except at rather close range - closer than you'll typically be able to get to small game.

Father-in-law uses 'em on squirrels that are raiding his bird feeders. He kills one now and then (with multiple shots) - but typically just peppers 'em enough to run 'em off (temporarily).

If you "pattern" a shot load out of your 44 on something like a picnic plate, I suspect you'll find they get pretty useless beyond 4 to 5 yards.

 

[beenthere]

Hangun shotshells

Even the shot capsules spin from the rifling and disperse the shot in a pretty wide pattern very quickly. I've shot snakes at 3-4 yards and it worked well. Wouldn't want to try it much farther.