Jerry in SC
Member
My experience has been that most shot loads work better from a short barrel. I'll try to find that article....
.38 shotshells from cci
- Thread starter PDL
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Dale53
Member
jacksmyname;
The 642 is a good platform for snake loads. It also is an "easy carry" on the stream.
Dale53
The 642 is a good platform for snake loads. It also is an "easy carry" on the stream.
Dale53
Jacksmyname
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Thanks Dale. Have two 642's here; one for me and one for my wife, for warm weather cc.
Ordered a box of the shells last night.
JohnK
US Veteran
I went with shot loads (instead of ball/solid ammo)for snakes, after blasting a copperhead into the air. It nearly draped around my neck.
Kinda like making a tin can dance, it'll sometimes do the same with a snake. Not good. at all.
I tried some CCI out of my S&W 340SC and like the pistol's barrel says -- "No less than 120 gr bullet." With each shot the capsules jumped their crimp and stuck out the front of the cylinder and I had to push them back in before rotating for another shot. I, too, have found that short barrels work better and I did a comparison between a 3" and a 6" Judge to verify that. I think the .22 loads are way too light to be effective and I have had bad luck with them on snakes except at ranges of only two or three feet. Here in Alabama we're crawling with snakes, some good, some bad, and I carry an ultralight Judge loaded with #9 to make quick work of things.
Larry from Bend
Member
In NC Montana, we've had a Prairie Rattlesnake infestation in the last 10 years and I imagine I've killed 60-70 in that time. I've used handloaded 38 shot loads (CCI hulls) for maybe 25 of them. I use #8 shot 'cause that was the smallest I had in cheap shotgun shells. I had VERY poor patterns @ 10 feet until I slowed down the pellets by using a light powder charge. That helped a lot and they are very effective @ 8-10 feet. This is out of a 2" model 60 or a 2 1/2" model 19. The .22 shotshells also work fine for me - I liked Rem best (larger shot) but can't find them any more - the CCI .22 shotshell loads hold more shot than the others but Win and Federal also kill rattlers at 6 feet with no problem (in the late 80s I once killed 24 in one day with Win .22 shotshells out of a 4" model 34). At our farm I keep a single shot .410 behind the door so that my wife can kill rattlers when I'm not handy. 2 1/2" shells with #9 shot allow her to stay 15-20 feet away and still kill the snake easily.
Cocked & Locked
Member
Same here Doc. I shoot rats around the chicken house all the time. Flushing them out with a water hose makes great sport...if not for the rats, at least for me.
I used to buy the CCI ones but now I load my own. Speer still makes the shotcups for handloading. Short barrels work best for me regarding pattern. I've killed MANY BIG RATS with my 642 and this model 12.
Duke426
Member
I haven't killed anything with them and doubt I would try unless I was REAL close. I tested the pattern at 10 feet out of my model 13 and was shocked at how wide the pattern was. This is a 4 inch barreled gun.
I have some for my .44 Special and haven't tried those yet. I hope they do a little (actually, a lot) better.
I have some for my .44 Special and haven't tried those yet. I hope they do a little (actually, a lot) better.
Steelwimp
Member
I happened to find this post looking for Model 34 posts. I have a four inch Model 34 which is usually used for killing dangerous tin cans. I use cheap .22 LR for this. But, around here in Florida we have poisonous Bufo toads which are very dangerous to dogs. I use .22 CB cartridges for the toads. I have also nailed one rat with the load.I am in sort of suburban setting and Long Rifle too loud and powerful for home use. I have never used a shot shell, but I think this probably too loud.
Dale53
Member
I have loaded LOTS of the shot loads using Speer capsules. Mine have mostly been the .38's although I have .38's, .44's, and .45's. The absolute key to success with these IS #12 shot, as we have mentioned above. Load five and pattern them. When you get an effective load, load the rest. Do NOT try to load to high velocity. What you want is a good pattern. The velocity will be enough for their maximum range (20 feet). As "Cocked & Locked" has pointed out, they CAN be effective.
My mother-in-law had a bunch of feral cats that took up residence in her barn and were beginning to be a problem. I armed my two sons with a Model 14 Smith with Speer shot capsules and in two sessions had the problem solved. They had instructions to NOT bother two cats who had the seal of approval but to remove the rest of them. This they did and the shot cartridges did perfectly well. NO collateral damage (this can be quite important around expensive farm machinery).
Dale53
My mother-in-law had a bunch of feral cats that took up residence in her barn and were beginning to be a problem. I armed my two sons with a Model 14 Smith with Speer shot capsules and in two sessions had the problem solved. They had instructions to NOT bother two cats who had the seal of approval but to remove the rest of them. This they did and the shot cartridges did perfectly well. NO collateral damage (this can be quite important around expensive farm machinery).
Dale53
Gearhead Jim
Member
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.
Next round was a JHP into his shell, that did the job.
Eugene
Member
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.
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
Member
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
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
US Veteran
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
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
Member
Are you sure?
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.
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
Member
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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"
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
Member
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...
I sometimes pack my .45 Colt Mt. Gun with shotshells. Now those are snake killers...
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.
