Shotshells - What Do You Guys Think?

[HarrishMasher]

I have owned and shot plenty of shotguns in my life, but I have never loaded a shotshell in one of my handguns.

Do you guys ever shoot these? What do you actually use them for? I suspect mostly snakes and pest control?

My wife and I have a newborn. Our baby likes to be taken for a late night walk in her stroller around our development in South Florida at night. This is our ritual to get her to sleep. Currently this walk takes place starting somewhere between 11 and midnight. I have been carrying one of my revolvers on these walks just in case.

I have been thinking what if I have an encounter some for of small vicious wildlife. No idea what that might be, maybe a rabid dog, or King Cobra Should I have a couple of shotshells loaded in my revolver? What do you guys think?

Also, are they quieter than regular ammo?

Are they really just a gimmick? I just really don't know much about them. Would love to hear what you guys think.

 

[NYlakesider]

Years back I fired a few in my 4'' 357. Basically they have some if I remember right # 12 shot. Skeet use 9 or 71/2 so you know pistol shot is small. Very close range is all their good for. Of course a.45 or .44 would be a little bit better!

If it was me I would just carry what I normally carry (and be good with it)


You see a snake just back away, do not know your local laws, but in many places firing in that circumstances could get you some paper and perhaps your CCWP revoked

 

[Brasky]

I have seen varying opinions from people who love .410 revolvers such as the governor and judge, and people who think they are just marketing gimmicks for those who want to be tacticool.

If you are considering the 410 option, ask yourself if a 410 shotgun would be powerful enough for those "critters", if not the 410 revolver definitely would not be

 

[HarrishMasher]

I have seen varying opinions from people who love .410 revolvers such as the governor and judge, and people who think they are just marketing gimmicks for those who want to be tacticool.

If you are considering the 410 option, ask yourself if a 410 shotgun would be powerful enough for those "critters", if not the 410 revolver definitely would not be

I was talking about in my 357s

 

[Shorty 45 MK2]

I've used them, but feel a .22LR or .22 WRM solid bullet is a better choice for what you have in mind.

A super light J-frame is perfect for this.

EDIT: Now for trick shooting they are great!

 

[ralph7]

As far as snakes and rats, yes the .38 shot cartridges will drop them like a rock. I have also shot a lot of rats with the .22 shot and there is no comparison, the .38, .44, and .45acp shot cartridges are much more decisive.
That being said, I wouldn't trust any of them against a rabid animal of any bigger size. A bullet will penetrate to the vitals where the shot just will not.

 

[Mike SC Hunter]

Only thing I shoot with pistol shot loads is carpenter bees.........Although larger shot in larger calibers will kill a snake very dead....Bullets for anything bigger.

 

[eyegots2no]

I have owned and shot plenty of shotguns in my life, but I have never loaded a shotshell in one of my handguns.

Do you guys ever shoot these? What do you actually use them for? I suspect mostly snakes and pest control?

My wife and I have a newborn. Our baby likes to be taken for a late night walk in her stroller around our development in South Florida at night. This is our ritual to get her to sleep. Currently this walk takes place starting somewhere between 11 and midnight. I have been carrying one of my revolvers on these walks just in case.



I have been thinking what if I have an encounter some for of small vicious wildlife. No idea what that might be, maybe a rabid dog, or King Cobra Should I have a couple of shotshells loaded in my revolver? What do you guys think?

Also, are they quieter than regular ammo?

Are they really just a gimmick? I just really don't know much about them. Would love to hear what you guys think.

They are great for snakes---sometimes it takes two to really stop them---in anycase---one will slow them down so you can deal with them and keep them from getting under your porch or something where you are worried sick until you find and kill em for sure to protect you, kids etc.

They are about as loud as anything.-----I would want some solids for a bad dog or person for your walks.

Sorry to say this, but----walking at night is not a good idea---too much can go wrong------you may HAVE to do something sometime---and be right etc.---but you still would have to deal with all the hassle, etc.---you may even get accused of something you did not do......

I do not even go to the grocery store past 6pm.

IMHO

 

[Rpg]

I've tried most of the 'shot' loadings available for handguns.

I'm universally underwhelmed.

Aside from shooting dragonflys (actually a lot of fun), I can't think of anything I'd voluntarily use them for.

Once you move past dragonflys, they're useless.

Just my opinion, of course.

 

[22hipower]

When I'm hunting (or doing most anything) in warm weather where snakes are likely to be, I usually carry a revolver with two shot capsule rounds and the rest standard bullets. As others have said, they are potent on rattlesnakes out to ten feet or so. I've experienced several instances of snakes appearing unexpectedly and folks emptying their handguns/rifles at them and not hitting. Last year a five foot rattler scooted out of the long grass right under our feet as we were loading a pickup. Lots of excitement, and a little dancing, as a buddy emptied his hi-cap 9mm in to the ground around but not in the snake, which then camped out under the truck. One round of snake shot from the 340PD ended the episode. Last week while antelope hunting in the Panhandle one of the guys stepped out of a truck right on a rattlesnake. Not sure why he wasn't bitten, but again one shot load from the 340PD resolved the situation. Completely trust the shot loads from a short barreled handgun for snakes but wouldn't expect them to be effective on anything bigger.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

 

[eyegots2no]

I have killed many snakes, rats, field mice, and some quail with the 45 ACP shot shells and the 44 shotshells.

The 45 acp shotshells usually work well in a Colt Commander---they hang up upon exit in a normal Govt. Model (it is the way the ejection port is cut)

They did not function well in the one springfield 1911 i saw someone try them in.

I am told the 38 shotshells do well on snakes etc. also.

The shotshells really have their place for certain applications.

Oh, I have have taken out one crow and one other type of bird with 22 shotshells.

 

[ColbyBruce]

In 2007 I shot a cottonmouth moccasin with CCI shotshells out of the snubbie S&W 10 at the bottom of this photo. He decided he wanted a sandbar I was occupying on the Towaliga River. The range was so close the shot capsule did not fully open and popped the snake straight in the head and stunned it. It took the other five shotshells to kill it dead enough to suit me. I consider the .22 LR/.22 Mag versions to be less than adequate though I have used both to shoot rats in a horse barn.

Found a better photo.

 

[ADP3]

I highly recommend CCI Shotshells for snakes. Every season I kill at least 2 snakes with them and this has been the case going on 30 years. Inside of 8 feet they were one shot kills. I've used them in .22lr, .22mag, .38/.357, .44 and .45 Colt. Two big advantages are that they do not carry far, and they have limited penetration. In an urban/suburban environment this is critical. I've shot two copperheads in the garage this year. Two shots, two dead snakes and Zero damage to the garage. I load the first two chambers of my revolvers with shotshells for yard work and woods walks during snake season. The rest of the time they stay loaded with self-defense ammo.

Best Regards,
ADP3

 

[JeepinSoldier]

When I'm hunting (or doing most anything) in warm weather where snakes are likely to be, I usually carry a revolver with two shot capsule rounds and the rest standard bullets. As others have said, they are potent on rattlesnakes out to ten feet or so. I've experienced several instances of snakes appearing unexpectedly and folks emptying their handguns/rifles at them and not hitting. Last year a five foot rattler scooted out of the long grass right under our feet as we were loading a pickup. Lots of excitement, and a little dancing, as a buddy emptied his hi-cap 9mm in to the ground around but not in the snake, which then camped out under the truck. One round of snake shot from the 340PD ended the episode. Last week while antelope hunting in the Panhandle one of the guys stepped out of a truck right on a rattlesnake. Not sure why he wasn't bitten, but again one shot load from the 340PD resolved the situation. Completely trust the shot loads from a short barreled handgun for snakes but wouldn't expect them to be effective on anything bigger.

Jeff
SWCA #1457

This is a perfect answer.

I only carry shotshells in my 3" 65 or 2" 60 if I'm in a snake area, then the first two are shotshells and the rest are full power hollow points. Most places here in CO where I might run into a snake - I might also run into a mountain lion. (I have seen two)

If you are not in a snake area, I would just carry normal defensive ammo.

 

[DonD]

If it was me I would just carry what I normally carry (and be good with it)


You see a snake just back away, do not know your local laws, but in many places firing in that circumstances could get you some paper and perhaps your CCWP revoked

Aw come on! No reasonable cop will ticket you for offing a venomous snake. Loose your CCW permit? Only in socialist states like NY, MD and CA maybe.

Venomous snakes have NO right to exist in residential areas. Those who whine that they're part of the ecosystem can pound sand. KILL them.

I like non venomous snakes, they're useful, rattlers, cotton mouths, corals etc will be killed on sight if I have anything to say about it.

I've used all calibers of the CCI shot shells. The .40 S&W and .45ACP worked well in my Glocks. The 9mm fires but doesn't cycle in my Ruger SR9C. The .45ACP will tear a snake apart.

I reload shot shells for my .500 Mag. They're a bit inconsistent but at their best are pretty potent. Don

 

[JAREDSHS]

the tree huggers would rather you carry "snake spray" instead of snake shot sost you won't hurt them little rat'lers 'n cotun mouths don'cha know? lol

 

[Kernel Crittenden]

For loading your own, here's a couple of links I had bookmarked. I'd forgo the Speer capsules, they just add cost and can be hard to find. You can make very effective handloaded shot shells without them.

http://www.loaddata.com/articles/PDF/LD-35 Haviland LR1.pdf

44 Magnum Shotshells

 

[Munsterf18]

I killed a rattlesnake last week that was sunning on my door step. A 22 shotshell out of my revolver killed it dead. I don't know what else I would use in this situation except maybe a hoe.

When I'm on the tractor or in the woods and expecting snakes I load my .44 normally, but keep two shotshells in my pocket.

Not sure about using it on a dog, unless you want to make him mad!

 

[Big Cholla]

My concern is for the baby's hearing. I for one would NOT be shooting a handgun anywhere near a baby that has no hearing protection. I would and do carry a "Snake Stick". I make my own version by taking a ski pole and attaching a curved hook on the end. With the addition of a small powerful flashlight one could just move the snake away from the path and go on their way.

When walking in the desert that is very near my house I use my ski pole/snake stick as a 'trekking' staff. It really helps. I see many older folks using two ski poles while hiking in the desert. Trekking poles are an amazing help. ............ Big Cholla

 

[steelslaver]

Mostly I just leave snakes alone, they don't hurt anything and help keep the rodent population in control. Now if I found a rattle snake near the house I would get rid of him, but they are easy to kill if you want to with a simple shovel or the like. Slow them down. LOL they don't go fast in the first place. Actual top speed is about 3 mph and they can only strike about 1/3 their length or about 2 ft for a large 6' snake. If you can't hit one from less than 10 feet with a slug, go get a shovel. But, shotshells work for you and your happy go to it.

While shotshells will work for them I feel shot shells are pretty worthless. I played with them in my early days. Try shooting some at a piece of freezer paper at different ranges. From a rifled barrel you will find a big hole in the middle of the pattern because the rifling spins the shot capsule and when it leaves the barrel centrifugal force throw the shot out from the center. I also fail to see anything practical about the judge, governor or any other of the revolvers with the extra long cylinders. I do think a double barreled pistol with a smooth bore in .410 would be both legal (under 50 cal) and kind of neat. If the BATF whined about it all I would do is rifle it with a twist rate of 1 turn in 100 yards as there is no rule on the rate of twist. The contender barrels worked well because they had a screw in choke that both shredded the capsule and as it was straight rifled and stopped the pin.