Shot loads?

I have used the Speer plastic capsules for years. They have always done a good job for me. I have killed many a snake with them. The 44 capsules are a little undersized and a little difficult to load, so I just stick to the 38/357 and #8 shot. Like Scotty on Star Trek said, "The more you overthink the plumbing, the easier it is to stop up the drain". In other words, Keep it simple for best results. I am sure you will get a lot of guys telling you how to make home made ones. But that is too much trouble for me. The Speer ones have always killed everything I have shot.

I use the Speer capsules in calibers that they are available in (.38/.357, .44 & .45). I use gas checks for other revolver cartridges. Haven't tried any handloaded shot for autos.

Devil Dog

I use a 357MAX case formed to fit in mags chambers for revolvers , but always wondered if trimmed to the correct length if they`d work in a lever rifle??




They do a wonderful job of dispatchin rodents& crawlers around the house !!!





I cut cards & seal the end with waterprof carpenters glue.

"I cut cards & seal the end with waterprof carpenters glue."

And I thought I'd had an original idea.

Yeah Gas Checks make a big hole in the pattern & cost too much!!!! If ya shoot just a few a yr ya can buy the factory stuff & be ok but I live in the flat coastal swamps of NC & last yr & shot more than 50 rnds!!

Notice the date on the pics I posted !!

The shorter the barrel the better the pattern IME .

What is the practical range of these shot loads?

Isn't the maximum killing range of snake shot less than 10 feet? I've never bought any for that reason, since with outstretched arm, my range with a garden hoe, or shovel, is almost 7 feet, and kills without use of consumables (ammo). If I don't have one of those handy, and I've positively identified a non-poisonous species, they are not difficult to kill by hand. Grab 'em by the tail and crack 'em like a whip.

RCBS makes a set of dies to make .45acp shotshells, which I have. anyone interested pm me.
max useful range is about 20' on small game but at that range I can take the head off a rabbit if not moveing with a slug.

What is the practical range of these shot loads?

Isn't the maximum killing range of snake shot less than 10 feet?

Click to expand...

This is probably about right, but you might can get 15' or so depending on your load. I load my 38 loads with a light charge of bullseye (3.0gr). The rifled barrel generates spin on the shotshell and opens the pattern more than a smoothbore. I have found the higher the powder charge, the faster the muzzle velocity - therefore the greater the spread. My 3.0gr load may be slow, but it patterns well at 15'. I have taken a few snakes with it, so I know it is lethal at that range also.

I use rice. Seriously. Kill em and attract more of them to kill some more at the same time!
I use these loads in my derringer, Ruger GP100 and Marlin 1894.
First - Make a bunch of plugs with a 38 round in a drill out of thick paper. (playing cards are good) You could also probably just punch them through. I shaved off the rim of one old 38 special cartridge with a dremel and put it in a drill and I can make hundreds at a time.
Then:
2 - 3 grains of HP 38 - in 38 brass.
Put in a "gas check" plug of the thin cardboard.
Put in some short grain rice - almost to the top
Put in another "gas check" plug
Cap it with some hot glue.



Deadly up to about 6 feet.

ddd

I`ve shot bats in the barn with rice , never snakes though ! & carpenter bees with grits , big fun !!!!

Have used them all the CCI shot capsules, roll my own .45 with the RCBS Dies, Really miss the Old Thompson Contender Hot Shot capsules in .357 and .44 , made for a dandy squirrel load......

the rice or grits sounds like fun have to try that on dragonfly's