[the-ghost]

hi guys!

i've been a lurker on this sight for along time, i've learned quite a bit from you guys.

i have a question thats been puzzling me for awhile. is it possible for me to make a snake shot load for my cap and ball pistols? and if so how would i go about doing it?

thanks for any advise in advance!

[mykeal]

Yes, it's possible. In fact, it 's been done many, many times, with very consistent results.

How:
1) load powder, fffg, amount depending on caliber of pistol
2) load an overpowder card, same diameter as chamber, made of heavy card material (1/8" thick)
3) load an overpowder wad, same diameter as chamber, can be lubed felt wad used for round ball bullets
4) load shot, #6, approx same volume as the powder
5) load an overshot card to keep the shot contained in the chamber

If the pistol is rifled, this will provide a load that is effective out to about 10 yards, 15 yards absolute max. The pattern will be donut shaped, spiralling outward, and after 15 yards it's worthless.

The range will be better with a smoothbore; how much depends on working up a charge in terms of powder and shot.

[the-ghost]

thanks for the reply.

15 yards is more than enough. i plan on using my 58 remy 44. any suggestion on how much powder is needed? just popping a few snakes during the season and the occasional mouse and rats around the property. i was figuring 15 grains might be enough.

[JCT]

I do it this way:
1- load FFFg less than you would with roundball!!!
2- load overpowder lubed felt wad. ( this is enough to act as wad and lube )
3-load shot ( I use #8 ) more pellets per load than bigger shots
4- To hold it all in, I press a lube pill/wax wad over the shot. It's sticky and thick enough to close the chamber and give you a durable seal.

[OldWolf]

Mykeal - Why do you need the card? Can't you use powder, lubed wad, shot, lubed wad? Might need some lube over the last wad to hold it all in too.

[the-ghost]

JCT thanks, gonna try that too. you guys rock!

[mykeal]

OldWolf,

I included the card based on what I shoot in my shotguns - the cards keep the column together. I'm not positive as to why they work better than fiber wads, but without the cards the pattern falls apart rather quickly.

However, as I think about it, I doubt they'd have the same effect in a rifled barrel revolver. The rifling causes the shot column to spiral and any resemblance to a pattern is lost at about 10 yards anyway.