.38 shotshells from cci

[Gearhead Jim]

From about 2 feet away, I shot an 8" diameter snapping turtle head on, while he had his head well out of the shell. Speer .38 shotshell fired from a 2" J-frame. It gave him an ugly case of acne but not of the pellets penetrated his skull, and boy was he pissed!
Next round was a JHP into his shell, that did the job.

 

[Eugene]

Hi All,

Several years ago I loaded up a fair few Shot Loads, using .357 cases for extra length, I put a moderate charge of red dot powder, than seated a thick (0.060 or so) plastic wad, cut from an ice cream container lid using an old re-sized 38 case as a wad punch of sorts.

then fill the case with as much no.9 shot as would fit, then another card over the top, then a really heavy crimp, and I mean really heavy, the case mouth was crimped in as far as I could get it, without the heavy crimp, unburnt powder etc was the result, heavy crimp was good.

Shot at 7-8 yards, into a heavy piece of 1/2" builders ply that was 12" x 12", there was not a area any bigger than a 3/4" dia coin that didn't have a pellet in it, the pellets were going in to the board well over half way through.

I never got to hit a snake with one, but I have no doubt any snake would be toast if hit with one of these.

I was using my 6" 686 at the time and point of impact was perfect for my 125Gr hot hot HP load.

I now live well out of town in brown snake country, so a few more may have to be built before summer comes again.

PS: forgot to add, the recoil was simillar to a WW 125gr factory .38 spec load, not a +p, just the regular lead load.

 

[Hang-Fire Hank]

For .41Mag fans: Since Speer doesn't make .41 shot capsules, I concocted the following after various tests.
7grs. Bullseye
Gas check facing up
140grs. #9 shot
Gas check facing down & then crimp.
I tested them on potatoes @ 10'. Tore chunks off the "snake's head". I'll have to order some #12 shot to see how it works.
Hang-Fire Hank
USAF Veteran
NRA Benefactor Life
NRA Pistol Instructor

 

[shdwlkr]

Mike Ventrino
Did a piece on shotshells in pistols and he used #12 shot with good results so that is what I use and have the same good results. Nothing more needs to be said

 

[Eugene]

Originally posted by shdwlkr:
Nothing more needs to be said

Are you sure?

 

[Forrest r]

Looks like I went a different direction with the shotshells. I bought a box of caps to reload & tried 9 shot at 50ft out of a 6" barrel. They were terrible, couldn't break a clay pigion.
I loaded them up with 5 shot & it was game on. Used to use them on a skeet range. It got to where I could break 9 to 12 birds a round. Used to luv when hunters showed up that never shot skeet before. They'd look good out there with their camo 12ga's with shell holders on the stock. I'd take my 586 out & shoot a round with them, the look on their faces at the end of the round was priceless.

 

[mississippi revolverman]

I carry my snubie 38 loaded with 3 shotshells and 2 wad cutters all through early bow season here in Mississippi for snakes.

The local Game Warden was talking with me and said. "You know a weapon with you while bow hunting is illegal ? But I don't blame you on the snake protection, no problem I didn't see anything"

 

[moonshine44]

I buy the .357's. They've done a good job on snakes for me out far enough the snake couldn't reach to strike

My usual summer carry gun is a 2.5" Ruger SP101...

I sometimes pack my .45 Colt Mt. Gun with shotshells. Now those are snake killers...

 

[NiklasP]

Forrest r, did you try any other shot sizes? Say #6 or #4? I have sometimes wondered if larger shot sizes would be less scattered by the rifling, especially the shallow rifling used on modern S&W revolvers.

Thanks,
Niklas

 

[Forrest r]

NiklasP, all I had was 71/2's & 5's. I used the 71/2's for skeet & trap, the 5's for hunting. I tried the 71/2's first. I tested them by setting clay pigions in the bank of a 50' pistol range. I shot a couple of cylinders at different pigions. The 71/2's wouldn't break the pigions every time. The 5's broke every target with ease, so that's what I used.

 

[Dale53]

Larger shot have more energy. However, when you actually pattern them, you'll find that coarse shot leaves great holes in the pattern. If you don't hit the snake, it doesn't matter WHAT you "don't hit it with".

#12 shot has plenty of energy at 10-15 feet and that is ALL you need as long as you have a decent pattern. #12 shot will give you that pattern. If the snake is further than 15 feet I leave it alone unless it needs to be removed because it is around inhabited dwellings, etc. Then, I just get close enough (but far enough away that it can't reach me) and "remove" it. #12 shot will shred a snake at the necessary range.

Dale53

 

[NiklasP]

Dale53,

Forrest r's report of #5 shot breaking clays easily at 50 feet indicates that those larger shot spread out lots less than smaller shot. I have seen this effect when developing scatter loads. A load of #5 shot that breaks clays at 50 feet is a load that is much denser closer.

Like others, if snake is not close enough to strike me, I leave it alone. However, there are other uses for revolver shot loads, for which an acceptable pattern of larger shot, #5s or #6s for instance, would be nice.

Niklas

 

[Muley Gil]

"I shot an 8" diameter snapping turtle head on"

Shoot, a litte one like that should be in an aquarium. Most of the ones I saw while I was living in Alabama where closer to two feet across.

 

[Combat_Diver]

I've loaded and carried the Speer capsules for years in .38/.44 SPLs. Usually I loade #9 for .38 and #7.5 for the 44 (will have to try the #12) Found a few copperheads around the new house (NC coastline) after moving in and where dispatched with a 410. However, I usually throw on a pistol with afew shotshells loaded first when yard working. I do have an older TC Contender 10" .357 hotshot bbl. With the choke in (stops/slows down the spin of the shotshells from the rifled bore) and I get 3-4" patterns at 15 feet. Hank thanks for the .41 info as that is my favorite cartridge and I'll load some for my M58.

CD

 

[Grog]

A few years ago I tried some of the CCIs out of a 2" Taurus 85 on a B27 around 20-30 feet away and the entire target was pelted with itty-bitty holes. I can't say it proved anything, but since I picked up eight packs at a local walmart for $2 each I wanted to see what they would do.

 

[NE450No2]

I have used quite a few Speer shotshells over the years.
I first loaded them myself using the capsules from Speer.

In fact just a few days ago I found 75 rounds that I loaded 11/2/76 [thats right 1976!!] with #9 shot in 44 Special cases using 7.5gr of Unique.

After Speer started making the factory loads I just bought and used them.

I have used mostly 44 Mag, and 45 ACP. The wife and I have taken a lot of small game for the pot, squirrel, rabbits, quail, and grouse. We have also killed a lot of snakes with them. I even killed some dangerous snakes in Africa with them in a44 Mag.

I have also used them in 38 and 9mm with pretty good results, especially on snakes.

I never go into the field without several of them.