The carpenter bees are at it again, boring holes in the trusses on the lean-to behind my shop.
I tried 22 shot loads which were very effective if you could hit them with the small load of shot.
I have a wad cutter that is the right size to fit 44 Mag/Spec cases.
I cut a number of wads from the cardboard backer that came with a pack of targets.
4.5 gr of Bullseye was loaded in a 44 mag case followed by 2 card wads.
Approximately 18 gr of ground walnut shells filled the case with just enough room to seat a card wad over the top.
A heavy roll crimp was applied and the top sealed with clear nail polish.
The loads were fired from a 10" Contender barrel.
Maximum effective range was about 6 ft with 4 ft being much more effective.
Loads of up to 6 gr of Bullseye was tried but did not seem any more effective and the walnut shells would bounce off the wood striking my face.
BTW, a wadcutter for making card wads can be made from a sharpened 44 case with the primer removed. Push the wads out of the case with a piece of wire that will go through the flash hole.
Wing shooting carpenter bees is not as easy as it may seem, even at close range but dang it is fun.