Snake Loads

[ohiochuck]

After reading Outpost 75's recipe for make shot loads for my Colt 45 LC, I collected the necessary supplies.
I used Ballistic Products # 12 shot.
For my first try here are my results.
I used W-231 6 gr. & 6.5 gr. and targets shot at 6 ft and 8 ft.

Discovered that # 12 shot tears up my target backboard

Jim

[HWooldridge]

Yeah, they will light up a snake or a rat.

[MarkP]

I wouldn't want to be a snake in front of that load.

[Mk42gunner]

#12 shot is in my opinion, the best size for snake loads of any caliber. It gives the most pattern density of any commonly available shot size, and by the time (range) it is no longer effective, a snake is no danger to the shooter.

Robert

[dale2242]

I have been loading a shot size called "dust" in my 44 Mag.
It works better than my load of walnut shells on carpenter bees.

[cwlongshot]

Good stuff!!

[HWooldridge]

I load both #9 and #12, depending on what I happen to have. The larger shot carries a bit better but either one generally does the job - not many small animals survive when it's close up and personal...

[Electrod47]

Number 12# here also for all calibers....chasing down shot cups is the labor part.......yeah, you can do it other ways but. Speer makes it so much easier. A 45 Colt loaded with 12# will carpet bomb even the biggest snake.

[Texas by God]

You should see what #12 shot from a 12 gauge does to a chicken snake!
Card wads work just fine if you can’t find the Speer capsules for your revolver.
I scored some mixed #11/12 irregular shot from a member here and it’s all I use for snake loads in our .38 Special revolvers.


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[Texas by God]

I did a drive by on a dead refrigerator with my snub .38 loaded with #11/12 shot.
I had it in my pocket when I worked on my grape arbor blind.
We live in Snakeyville
……


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[steve urquell]

Texas By God sent me some #12 shot awhile back and I loaded it into .45LC cases. I shot 5 copperheads with it last summer with the cartridges in my .410 single shot. All of their heads were completely gone. #12 is amazing for snakes.

[Mk42gunner]

My opinion is that #12 is best for snake loads for anything throwing less than half an ounce of shot. Once you get into real shotguns from 2 1/2" .410 and up, almost anything from #6 on down works.

Robert

[gc45]

Mine were both 9 and 12 loaded in 45c cases using a thin wad with melted wax then slight roll crimp. A country boy uses what he has sometimes. = Works real well on Montana timber rattlers leaving them looking like hamberger most often.

[steve urquell]

My opinion is that #12 is best for snake loads for anything throwing less than half an ounce of shot. Once you get into real shotguns from 2 1/2" .410 and up, almost anything from #6 on down works.

Robert

I believe a big part of that is the choke as well. Pistol vs shotgun patterns are vastly different. Top 2 are .38, bottom .410