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Thread: Realist range of Pistol shotshells ?

  1. #1
    Boolit Bub
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    Realist range of Pistol shotshells ?

    What is the effective range on say small rodents or clay (trap) targets for 38/357 (6") ?

  2. #2
    Boolit Grand Master jmorris's Avatar
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    15ft +\- depending on what shot size and how you are loading them.

  3. #3
    Boolit Grand Master

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    Handguns just don't have room for excess shot and powder. The FPS is low and distance is short.
    My experience is like jmorris, anything beyond 15' is iffy.
    Information not shared. is wasted.

  4. #4
    Boolit Buddy

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    Using .308 brass cut down for the 45 acp loads in S&W Brazilian revolvers using .410 wads and 7.5 or 8 shot 15 ft for snakes and pidgeons in a hay barn 10-15 ft. Cut some the full length of the cylinder and shot crows at 30 ft while bushhogging pastures, would only wound them. These 45 acp loads feed and operate my 1911's very well. Would like to experiment using .357 max brass in security six, if had a shot wad that was available and easily obtained.

  5. #5
    Boolit Bub
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    That's what I thought it would be. I'll give it a try with some 357's
    thanks

  6. #6
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Slow twist .44-40 rifle using 1/3 oz. of No.8 shot and 5 grains of Bullseye in Federal 410SC shot cup, cut off flush to case mouth if Starline 5 in 1 Blank case, with Walters .36 card wad in end, roll crimped in RCBS .44 Game Getter Long Shot die kills rabbits at 25 ft. from Winchester '92, 15 ft. from Colt New Service and 50 feet from H&R cylinder bore .44/11mm (pre-.410) shotgun.

    Attachment 212381

    D1C repair center is 11 inches square. Inner circle is 4" diameter, outer circle is 8 inches.
    Last edited by Outpost75; 01-21-2018 at 08:34 PM.
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  7. #7
    Boolit Grand Master jmorris's Avatar
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    That's what I thought it would be. I'll give it a try with some 357's
    thanks
    I would like to tell you about that water buffalo I killed with a squirt gun but I'll need a few more drinks.

  8. #8
    Boolit Master


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    "I would like to tell you about that water buffalo I killed with a squirt gun but I'll need a few more drinks." jmorris

    Don't you mean I (the listener) will need a few more drinks?
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    I may be discharged and retired but I'm sure I did not renounce the oath that I solemnly swore!

  9. #9
    Boolit Master
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    All I can say about my personal real world experience, is that 357/38 ain't enough for Rats...[squirrels either]
    The 44/45 [not acp] is what I needed to Plant those larger Critters!!! I don't want to "roll em over" I want 'em "Tits Up"!!

  10. #10
    Boolit Bub
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    Gave up on 38/357 pistol shot cartridges about 1975. Did manage to drag down a coupla starlings but everything else just laughed.
    These new Judge type revolvers in .410 might be worth a try?

  11. #11
    Boolit Master smkummer's Avatar
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    Outpost75 group is exceptional at 25 feet but that is with custom made ammunition using all available space including cylinder.chamber space. You can maybe get that at 15 feet with CCI shot cups in a 44 or 45. With a 38/357 AND using 9 shot, it might look that good, might. Remember we are talking feet, not yards. Putting it another way, you get a close a possible or comfortable to a snake before you shoot it with a 38 shot load.

  12. #12
    Boolit Master
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    My 45colt will get them rolling at 12-15yds, but they don't always stay down but there's 5 more!

  13. #13
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Here are typical patterns from .38 Special with home-made shotloads of No.8, at realistic "snake range"

    Attachment 198224Attachment 198225Attachment 198226
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  14. #14
    Boolit Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Little Oak View Post
    Gave up on 38/357 pistol shot cartridges about 1975. Did manage to drag down a coupla starlings but everything else just laughed.
    These new Judge type revolvers in .410 might be worth a try?
    There's nothing they can do you can't do with a dedicated .45 Colt revolver, because the rifling will mess the pattern. IMHO, since I have a smoothbore Judge (not in America), it's realistic to shoot up to 15-18yds. Hatcher's notebook deals with a smoothbore revolver too and he says it's good for about 20 yds. (check this section, I posted a pdf sometime ago).

    Also, there's a video of a guy shooting a turkey with a Judge on YT. I'm bad at measuring video distances, but it's about 2 or 3yds max. For snakes, I go with the guys, you're good to about 15 FT. Only advantage to a rifled Judge over a regular .45 is the payload (it takes regular 1/2oz loads and the 3" version can go up to 11/16oz I think), when you would get about 1/3oz or so (I measured about 170gr of shot in a modified .44-40 case) from a cut .410 shell or .45 Colt case.

  15. #15
    Boolit Master



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    a month ago I downed a large rat (norwegian) at about 10-15 ft with a commercial shot load for a .38 spl
    Death to every foe and traitor and hurrah, my boys, for freedom !

  16. #16
    Boolit Buddy
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    Shot shells work at long distances in my 12 gauge. Still can't hit a flyin' bird with them though.
    Last edited by ichthyo; 07-03-2017 at 08:40 AM.

  17. #17
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    I made up a load for my 44mag, Some green dot, 3 paper cards,
    plastic wrapper around #8 shot and topped off with one card, crimped shut.
    Dispatched a opossum from 3 feet looking at my chickens, flashlight in his eyes keep him still.
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  18. #18
    Boolit Master




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    Got another opossum the other night, used my (corn) load, not shot. Was able to get real close to him.
    Je suis Charlie
    ΔΕΞΑΙ
    Rednecks run the Brits out of this country years ago,
    I will defend this country from anyone or thing that tries to take it from me or mine
    I AM A REDNECK!!!
    "If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government,our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." Samuel Adams, 1776

  19. #19
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    Texas by God's Avatar
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    I've shot both 2-1/2" & 3" .410 in three Judges and the patterns were terrible compared to a cut down .410 no choke Rossi single shot. A BIG difference. I like #12 shot in my handgun shot loads and yes, about 15' sounds right. I'm loading some .38s now because we have a Copperhead plague this year for some reason. Our 12 yr old Walmart dog survived a bite a couple of weeks ago and my wife is telling me to wear boots outside at night but 56 yr habits are hard to break.

  20. #20
    Boolit Grand Master Outpost75's Avatar
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    Here are typical patterns fired from a cut-down, cylinder bore, .410 single-shot:

    .425 round balls loaded in 5 in 1 blank cases, 5 grains of Bullseye ala Game Getter, aiming with bead sight at 25 yards
    .44-40 Cowboy black powder lead cowboy loads fired similarly from the smoothbore barrel
    .410, 2-1/2", 3-pellet 00 buck in cylinder bore barrel at 50 ft.
    .44 Game Getter No.8 Shot (1/3 oz.) with .425 ball on top, loaded in 5 in 1 blank case, fired from .410 cylinder bore at 25 feet.

    Attachment 200300Attachment 200301Attachment 200302Attachment 200303
    Last edited by Outpost75; 07-24-2017 at 10:53 AM.
    The ENEMY is listening.
    HE wants to know what YOU know.
    Keep it to yourself.

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