[sendec]

Is there any reason why I could'nt use shotshells in a pistol or revolver to shoot skeet? Are the shells powerful enough?

Sorry, I'm bored at home. I get dangerous when I am bored.

[Jim Watson]

I have seen skeet shot with a Contender .45-.410 with fair results (no doubles, of course.) I doubt the usual run of handgun shotshells would have the pattern and reach. But that is not a reason not to try.

[stans]

Very low number of pellets and poor patterning would present a problem. These loads are usually intended to be used against snakes at striking distance.

[Dave R]

Most skeet are shot at...what, 20-40 yards? IMHO the effective range for pistol shotshells is 2-5 yards. But then, I've only tried 9mm shotshells.

And ya never know what you can do till ya try...

[JoeHatley]

I used to have a Contender with a 10" .44 hot shot barrel. It was a lot of fun on hand thrown clays. Not much of a pattern after 30 feet, so you had to be real quick.

Joe

[trapshooter]

Ever hear of 'Mosquito' brand targets and traps? Used to use them with .22 rifles and shotshells. You could do these with a handgun. Like every other target, it just takes practice.:cool:

[Justin]

I've heard that some trick shooters in the 1800's would use smoothbore pistols loaded with shot to break clay birds.

[Waitone]

I used to shoot skeet with a guy who was so good using a .410 he would haul out a .38 special packed with snake shot. don't remember the barrel length but is was longer than a snub. Anyway, he could routinely hit skeet if under the high and low house and occasionally on the center pad.

Possible but this dood was really good.

[akanotken]

We shot a .22 with snake shot at stationary targets about 1-2 yards away. Many times you could see the marks where they were struck, but did not break (~20 percent didn't break when hit 1 time). Got to where the SO would call the target hit if marked. Also, had to use a revolver, as it won't cycle a semi.

IIRC the shot is 12 shot or something, much smaller than the smallest shot used in skeet (#9's).

I doubt that you'd have a lot of luck.

[Nick96]

When I was a kid in the Scouts we'd use stock, single shot bolt action .22 rifles with shot shells to shoot hand tossed clays. That of course was many moons ago - and I have no idea what kind of clays were used. But when we hit them - they'd break. And with a little practice, we could hit many more than we missed.

I'd expect it could be done with pretty good success using a .22 LR handgun with a little practice. Since they are reliable, typically have pretty good triggers and are naturally good pointers - I'd expect the best platform would be a single action revolver with at least a 6" barrel. And being .22's, you could practice a lot without breaking the bank.