What size is shot "dust" and where can I get it

[Tomkat]

What size is shot "dust" and where can I get it?

I already sprung for a BPI 11 pound bag of #12 shot; I really like the results in 38 and 357 cases. I wanted to try dust for amusement factors.

Seems like there is little to no information on the interwebs regarding this.

Great board here...

Chris

[Bruntson]

Before lead shot was banned in many public areas, Lead dust could be bought. It was generally considered to be .048" or less. It is dangerous to inhale and for the environment. It will also coat your clothing, meaning you will bring it into your home. Kids have been found to have high levels of lead in them because, dad brought it home from working at a gun range. I do not think Lead dust is available in the US anymore nor would I recommend you firing it out of any firearms. As for other types of dust, with such a small market for it, I doubt you can find it either.

[racepres]

Believe me... Uncooked Rice... muy effective...

BTW the old "dust" that I had, was Not really Dust at all... very fine shot.. looks alot like Ball Powder...

[HWooldridge]

#12 is about as small as you can reasonably go, unless you want to shoot salt.

12 works on snakes and rats up close, but #9 has a lot further reach and no less lethality.

[racepres]

#12 is about as small as you can reasonably go, unless you want to shoot salt.

12 works on snakes and rats up close, but #9 has a lot further reach and no less lethality.

I don't shoot snakes here... But, If I lived in FL, I would use my usual Rat medicine.. 44 spl, Speer Capsules, no7-1/2 shot.. or the 410 Contender.. No Wiggle Room.
The rice goes in 38spl with card wads, for Sparrows in my Barn

[Tomkat]

Thank you all for the replies. Given the lack of online information, I thought it was no longer available.

I seem to remember something about #14 shot, but that was many years ago and maybe I misremember. I'll give bird seeds or rice a try. #12 shot is really nice stuff, and a little bit goes a long way.

Chris

[elmacgyver0]

The stuff inside those little folded crimp .22 bird shots shells is pretty small, don't know the size though.
I remember melting some lead as a kid and kind of shaking it as it cooled, and it turned into a kind of powder but not quite.

[Tomkat]

The .22 long rifle shot shells are loaded with #12 shot. I've not seen them loaded with any other size than that.

[GregLaROCHE]

I’m not overly worried about lead, but I would stay away from lead dust. I did have a bad experience when sweeping up an indoor range, while collecting the lead.

[cwlongshot]

I have herd the term a number of times. I always assumed #12. Thats what I use and its fine. Many moons ago When Sportsmans Warehouse first started mail Order catalogue's I nought a bottle. Its still going!

CW

[pete501]

Here is a picture of what my lead "dust" looks like. Dipping the micrometer into the pile and screwing down I come up with 0.040"

[G W Wade]

I hhave seen many reloading sources refer to #12 shot referred to as "dust". GW

[Adam Helmer]

Tomkat,

After I retired in 1996, I experimented with shot loads in handgun calibers. We have Copperheads and Rattlers hereabouts. I settled on #7.5 shot for all uses. Be sure to ALWAYS wear eye protection because handgun shot BOUNCES Back!

Adam

[barnetmill]

Museums used to use various dust shot loads for collecting small critters including things that crawled and flew. i remember a box for such loads in the back rooms of the field museum in Chicago when I was an undergraduate. The box was very old and in .32 caliber.

[barnetmill]

Tomkat,

After I retired in 1996, I experimented with shot loads in handgun calibers. We have Copperheads and Rattlers hereabouts. I settled on #7.5 shot for all uses. Be sure to ALWAYS wear eye protection because handgun shot BOUNCES Back!

Adam

I believe number nine is a little too small penetration wise on water moccasins. I may try reloading in 7.5 shot.

[racepres]

I hhave seen many reloading sources refer to #12 shot referred to as "dust". GW

However...Dust is much different from #12... as it looks less like Shot, and much more like Ball Powder

Tomkat,

After I retired in 1996, I experimented with shot loads in handgun calibers. We have Copperheads and Rattlers hereabouts. I settled on #7.5 shot for all uses. Be sure to ALWAYS wear eye protection because handgun shot BOUNCES Back!

Adam

For tough critters, Large Snakes (which we gots none that are Dangerous in My part of the Rhubarb patch)or them Barn Yard Rats... some large as a Possum... #7-1/2, please...from years of experience..

Oh... and Not out of anything smaller than a 44Spl,...again from experience...won't anchor the Buggers..

One more Edit, If you think you have a Good "shot" load...shoot a red squirrel... If ya drop him right where he is...you may be onto something!!!

[GregLaROCHE]

I remember shooting 22lr birdshot as a kid. I couldn’t kill anything with it. I think it must have been smaller than #12.

[M-Tecs]

22LR birdshot is/was normally 12 shot. Remington made a smoothbore 22LR. It patterned OK. Out of rifled barrels you need to be really close to be effective.

I have never saw a printed reference for shot smaller than 12.

[GregLaROCHE]

I’m sure you are right. As a kid, I couldn’t help prying one open a couple of times. I remember they were tiny. I said to myself, that’s why it wouldn’t kill anything.

[owejia]

Have 30+ pounds of this stuff. Measured with mics it runs about .040 or smaller. Hard to measure. Most of this was used as ballast in exercise equipment, but a small portion came from one of the ballast bags that the old Garmin GPS used. Have not loaded or shot any of it. Back in the 70's, worked with a guy in Virginia that was showing me pictures in a magazine of people loading small shot/dust in the plastic shot cartridges and hunting grasshoppers with them. He told about loading shot in the cci shot shells and shooting empty cans while in the air, not telling the other guys he had shot shells instead of bullets, proving he was a better shot. His father owned a construction company in one of the towns across the James River from Newport News Va. but can't remember his name. We have grasshoppers that get to 1 1/2 in long here in the late summer, so guess it is feasible to shoot big insects with the dust. Have thought about loading some in my 38 spl carpenter bee loads and trying them but the walnut media does a really good job. Have dispatched a couple of small " mister no shoulders " with the walnut media as well.