22a and shotshells ?

[JR3342]

So i have a 22a and a snake problem.
Not that good of a shot to hit there evil little heads from a moving mower with hollow points. So I'm thinking the shot shells would do the job. Not the low power cci Winchester or federals.
Any chance of barrel damage with these? I've been using a tactical 12 ga , it's just to big for the tight spots, to loud and gets some looks from nebighors riding around yard with it. Though a drive by on a copperhead from a mower is fun with a 12 ga, i need to tone it down some.
Last weeks score 1 copperhead , 2 moccisons and 1 misc, gone to the snake grave yard.

 

[Larry from Bend]

No chance of barrel damage.

CCI MIGHT work the action --- but probably not. You'll have a single shot.

WW and Federal will have longer cases (after being shot) than the CCI; so they are a poorer choice for an autoloader.

You need to be within 6' or so to kill a snake with 22 LR Shot shells.

They work; but you must be close.

If you had access to a 22 LR revolver, it would be better. a 38 is waaaaay better. 38 Special CCI shot shells are in a totally different class -- more effective -- but cost about $1.50 a piece (I buy capsules and make my own).

 

[desi2358]

Shotshells won't hurt your pistol but they usually won't cycle a semi, not sure what you mean by low power. CCI uses a plastic shot cap, the other makers use an extended case but they are all loaded to about the same power. They will kill snakes out to about 10 ft max distance in my experience. I use them in a revolver or my old Mossberg Targo smoothbore (which gives quite a bit more useable range). The problem is a rifled barrel spins the shot charge and causes it to scatter the shot badly as the distance increases.

I have used them in my old Colt Woodsman but they wouldn't cycle reliably. They would feed through the mag ok when hand cycled. I would stick with the crimped case loads as I remember a CCI load broke the shot capsule and spilled shot into the mag.

 

[hudsonvalley]

It will be a one shot in a semi...aim good...or borrow a 317 from a friend...where it's legal to do so of course..(add rolling eyes HERE)

 

[JR3342]

I'll give cci a try, usual range is 3-6 ft. Only other choices i got are just as loud. And if i put a hole in fence with 12 ga i got some explaning to do.

 

[Larry from Bend]

I'll give cci a try, usual range is 3-6 ft. Only other choices i got are just as loud. And if i put a hole in fence with 12 ga i got some explaning to do.

At 3'-6' the Snake will be toast.

I aim @ their chin, but it wouldn't hurt to shoot a couple rounds at a piece of paper or cardboard to get a better picture of how your pistol patterns shotshells.

Good Luck!!!

PS: If they don't suit you ---- you ARE riding a mower.

 

[Jdavis]

My experience with shot shells in .22 autos has been poor. Even when used in a revolver,I had to fire several rounds to take out a 3 ft. moccasin (those are tough and mean). I have had good experience with the .38 shot shell fired from a 66 which gives clean 1 shot kills. I have considered buying a Governor or Judge to load a with .410 shells. That would definitely take the worry out of being close.