Finally a commercial manufacturer is making some .41 magnum snake shot.
41 MAGNUM DT SnakeShot™ 20rds – Doubletap Ammunition
41 MAGNUM DT SnakeShot™ 20rds – Doubletap Ammunition
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41 mag Snake Shot
- Thread starter RETDOE
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Hair Trigger
US Veteran
"Under the shot is a hard cast full wadcutter made to penetrate and cut into the intended target". It also says the shot does not engage the rifling so there is no centrifugal spread, giving tighter patterns.
Sounds like a real beast of a round. 240 #9 pellets and a 55 grain hard cast solid.
Unless the wadcutter is open on the top to act as a cup for the pellets, I don't see how it would keep the shot from contacting the rifling. How does the shot separate from the cup, if the cup doesn't open and slow down like a shotgun round does? 1000 fps from a 4" barrel; it doesn't give the shot weight, but probably the shot plus the wadcutter is about 100 grains or so. Not much weight to drive to 1000 fps so low recoil.
Getting shot with one of these would sure ruin your day.
Sounds like a real beast of a round. 240 #9 pellets and a 55 grain hard cast solid.
Unless the wadcutter is open on the top to act as a cup for the pellets, I don't see how it would keep the shot from contacting the rifling. How does the shot separate from the cup, if the cup doesn't open and slow down like a shotgun round does? 1000 fps from a 4" barrel; it doesn't give the shot weight, but probably the shot plus the wadcutter is about 100 grains or so. Not much weight to drive to 1000 fps so low recoil.
Getting shot with one of these would sure ruin your day.
Made for other cartridges too. Interesting but expensive. I too wonder how they keep the shot from touching the rifling. For most applications I think I'll stick to my Governor, 3 410s with shot and 3 45 Colts. Seems to work pretty well.
Jeff
SWCA #1457
Jeff
SWCA #1457
kraynky
Member
Used to always dream of having some .41 shotshells, back when I had a couple of them. Covid layoffs found me selling them for groceries unfortunately. However I did see they have some for my 631 32 H&R magnum! Another on my wish list. I'll be ordering a box of those puppies. Just in time for snake season.
Been using 44 special shotshells, but the lighter 631 won't pull my britches down so much.
Thanks for the heads up!
Been using 44 special shotshells, but the lighter 631 won't pull my britches down so much.
Thanks for the heads up!
It clearly states wadcutter is 55gr and whole payload is 175gr. That leaves 120 gr for shot weight.
Alk8944
US Veteran
First, how could they possibly prevent the shot from being affected by the rifling! I say B.S. to this.
Years ago I made up some .44 Spl./#9 shot cartridges for the 696 I owned at the time. Shot them at a clay trap target laying on a snowbank at ca. 10 feet. In several tries, the shot made a donut around the clay bird and not a single pellet struck it!
I have played with these for 60+ years, in all calibers ever available from .22 to .44, and have reached the conclusion that "snake shot" from a revolver is absolutely useless! You have to be so close to the intended target that a bulleted load would be easy to hit the target with. Maybe if the intended target is right at your feet they might be effective.
Years ago I made up some .44 Spl./#9 shot cartridges for the 696 I owned at the time. Shot them at a clay trap target laying on a snowbank at ca. 10 feet. In several tries, the shot made a donut around the clay bird and not a single pellet struck it!
I have played with these for 60+ years, in all calibers ever available from .22 to .44, and have reached the conclusion that "snake shot" from a revolver is absolutely useless! You have to be so close to the intended target that a bulleted load would be easy to hit the target with. Maybe if the intended target is right at your feet they might be effective.
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You are 100% right, snake shot is BS. I’ve used and made it every way possible. It is going to throw doughnut pinwheel pattern if barrel is rifled. It is also only good for snake at 3’ to 4’. The smaller the shot, the lighter it is with PP penetration. You might do better with a smooth bore barrel but I have found plain old target loaded WCs are best for serious snake shooting. I have yet to run into a case where shooting snake prevented a bite. If you got time to shoot a snake it ain’t a threat. Also 38/357 and smaller don’t hold enough shot for much more than shooting bees.
When somebody says they killed a snake at 25’ with a shot load it was a very unlucky snake or story was stretched a bit.
I've been reloading 41 magnum shotshells for years. Use a cut down 410 wad under a crimped gas check at the case mouth. Shot never contacts the rifling, and I get great patterns out to the fifteen or so feet I've tried it.
Unsure if this is how they do it, but it works for me.
A friend was going to 3D print some 41 shot capsules, but decided my way was easier.
Unsure if this is how they do it, but it works for me.
A friend was going to 3D print some 41 shot capsules, but decided my way was easier.
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ajgunner
Member
Have to disagree on snake shot being worthless. I have killed a handful at around the 5' distance with a little tiny North American Arms revolver and CCI 22 shot capsules. The little revolver lives in my fishing vest. When a snake is in, or around camp or anywhere near where I am bank fishing, it gets the bad news. I found that even just a couple of pellets does the trick, and the best part it that with tiny shot it does not tear the hide to pieces.
I load my own for 38/357 and 44mag. I use a custom duplex shot. A few number 2 pellets, shake in some 7 or 8 shot, then trickle/shake in some number 12 to really fill all the space. Very effective snake medicine!
February 1976 American Rifleman.
I load my own for 38/357 and 44mag. I use a custom duplex shot. A few number 2 pellets, shake in some 7 or 8 shot, then trickle/shake in some number 12 to really fill all the space. Very effective snake medicine!
February 1976 American Rifleman.
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SquarePizza
Member
Honestly, I would buy a box just to show the ammo manufacturers that there is a market for developing anything for the 41.
SuperMan
Member
Been making my own for years....can be made from .41 Magnum or .414 SuperMag brass...
.414 SuperMag Shotshells - 24hourcampfire
.414 SuperMag Shotshells Part II - 24hourcampfire
Have also done shells of both lengths with just another Lyman gas check crimped over the top of the shot load...
As to the shot touching the rifling..doesn't seem to effect anything...
Bob
.414 SuperMag Shotshells - 24hourcampfire
.414 SuperMag Shotshells Part II - 24hourcampfire
Have also done shells of both lengths with just another Lyman gas check crimped over the top of the shot load...
As to the shot touching the rifling..doesn't seem to effect anything...
Bob
^^^^^^^^ this. I kill a couple water snakes a yr with my NAA 22 mag stoked with CCI shot. And I’ve absolutely done it at 20’ or better. Doesn’t always kill instantly but they go limp and hold still for second shot
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I cry BS on the shot not spinning. The wad will spin in a rifled barrel.
Shot 410s out of a 45/410 12inch rifled barrel. The wad spins the shot.
There was a screw in choke at the end of the barrel to stop the spinning. But it would tighten that choke tube down tighter than a mofo if you didn't back it off ever couple of rounds.
Shot 410s out of a 45/410 12inch rifled barrel. The wad spins the shot.
There was a screw in choke at the end of the barrel to stop the spinning. But it would tighten that choke tube down tighter than a mofo if you didn't back it off ever couple of rounds.
Killing a snake at 20’ with a mini revolver in 22 mag? I think the measuring tape needs recalibrated. If it happened it was a fluke. Put up sheet of paper at 20’ and shoot for pattern. Then shoot a 2x4 at 20’ and see if shot has enough energy to even stick in it. Shoot at plywood and see if BBs stick in it. A fluke can happen at anytime, a stray BB takes some critter in the eye and kills it. Chances of this with snake is even less than a warm blooded animal.
cowboy4evr
Member
I don't get it ? I cowboyed in SE Az and SE NM and I just used my rope to kill rattlesnakes . It was quick and simple and " quiet " . Regards Paul
Not totally true! A shot shell round as the first round fired from a home protection revolver is very effective! It probably would be fired in very close quarters at someone coming at you! You need not aim the gun, just point and pull the trigger! In a closed room situation the report would be deafening and the bad guy would be hit with something he is not expecting, but not lethal! Anyone with two brain cells would turn and run! If he does not run, the up coming rounds would be full house JHPs and aimed!
IMHO jcelect
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A 41 Magnum shot shell would be great for snake control. The real issue I see is lugging the gun around all day. It's heavy and bulky. A smaller frame 357 magnum might be better for the average snake. Yea, big guys would need a larger shot shell of course.
hannstv
Member
I look forward to someone buying a box a showing the results of their tests.
I was always told by my elders that the snake (poisonous) left alone to leave the area after an encounter is the one that will put the bite on a child or pet later in their life. It's not made for that bite in the moment, it's for the future. I purchased a couple boxes so when I get a chance I will post the results.
