CCI Shot Shells for Handguns?
#1
06-14-12, 09:01 AM
CCI Shot Shells for Handguns?
Will the shot shells CCI manufactures for use in handguns damage the rifling inside the barrel? Seems like it would to me and I dont even want to test them out if that's a possibility. Thanks in advance.
#2
06-14-12, 10:02 AM
Super Moderator
Nope..lead shot won't hurt the rifling anymore than shooting a lead bullet.
You may need to use a lead remover when cleaning....but normally a few rounds of jacketed stuff cleans it out pretty good.
In most cases very few shot rounds are fired so it shouldn't be a concern.
You may need to use a lead remover when cleaning....but normally a few rounds of jacketed stuff cleans it out pretty good.
In most cases very few shot rounds are fired so it shouldn't be a concern.
#3
06-14-12, 11:32 AM
Group Moderator
I would think the loose shot would actually be easier on the barrel than a single solid slug passing through it.
#4
06-14-12, 04:11 PM
I keep two chambers with shot first up in my truck pistol. Mainly for unfriendly snakes, etc. that occasion our remote jobsites. I have had no adverse effects on the rifling.
#5
06-14-12, 04:38 PM
Group Moderator
I've shot a lot of the CCI shot shells with no damage to the guns. As already mentioned the soft, free flowing shot is less harmful to the barrel than forcing a hard copper jacketed bullet to conform to the rifling.
I've found the shot shells to be mostly useless until you get up .44 mag or .45 LC where they become sorta useful. They are fun to play with in any caliber so you've gotta do it. Get some big clean cardboard sheets and shoot at varying ranges so you can learn how the pattern spreads and thins. If you intend to shoot snakes, rats or moles just imagine one of them on your target and if the animal can exist in the holes of the pattern you need to get closer.
One bit of warning when using shotshells. Since their effective range is so short you may find yourself shooting at extremely close ranges. Ricochetes and blowback are a possibility so safety glasses are a good idea. I've never had anything hit me hard enough to break the skin or leave a mark but you've only got two eyes so be careful.
I've found the shot shells to be mostly useless until you get up .44 mag or .45 LC where they become sorta useful. They are fun to play with in any caliber so you've gotta do it. Get some big clean cardboard sheets and shoot at varying ranges so you can learn how the pattern spreads and thins. If you intend to shoot snakes, rats or moles just imagine one of them on your target and if the animal can exist in the holes of the pattern you need to get closer.
One bit of warning when using shotshells. Since their effective range is so short you may find yourself shooting at extremely close ranges. Ricochetes and blowback are a possibility so safety glasses are a good idea. I've never had anything hit me hard enough to break the skin or leave a mark but you've only got two eyes so be careful.
#6
06-15-12, 06:13 AM
This is for snakes. Ive read alot the past few days about the need for a close range shot for a kill, so i think i'll just opt for a 12 guage next time i come across one. Thanks very much y'all for your insight!
#7
06-15-12, 06:44 AM
Group Moderator
12ga is the best! The target loads don't kick much and they are very effective. The only possible problem is with a full length gun have any choke is that the pattern is very tight at snake distances.
A .410/45LC pistol is also pretty decent at short range. My 3" barreled, 2 1/2" cylinder Taurus Judge is reliable for snakes to about 5 or 6 feet at which point the holes in the pattern open get to be too big for a reliable one shot hit. When coyote hunting in the summer I carry it with the first two cylinders loaded with bird shot for snakes and the next three are OOO buck.
If you are going to buy a gun I would check the classifieds, gun shows or pawn shops for an old, ugly single shot 12ga. Cut off the end of the barrel making sure to leave it over the legal limit and it will be perfect at snake ranges. The shorter barrel and no choke really opens up the shot pattern making it much more useful at close range.
I had an old, rusty single shot H&R 12ga that I took to the gunsmith school at our local community college and simply told them to turn it into a legal snake gun for $100. They used it to practice a variety of skills. It came back with the barrel an inch over legal, mirror polished and freshly blued with a gold aiming pin at the end. The rust pits were polished out of the receiver and they color case hardened it, gold plated the trigger and gave the wood a nice linseed oil finish. It's quite attractive and perfect for snakes at less than 30 feet with 7 to 9 shot.
A .410/45LC pistol is also pretty decent at short range. My 3" barreled, 2 1/2" cylinder Taurus Judge is reliable for snakes to about 5 or 6 feet at which point the holes in the pattern open get to be too big for a reliable one shot hit. When coyote hunting in the summer I carry it with the first two cylinders loaded with bird shot for snakes and the next three are OOO buck.
If you are going to buy a gun I would check the classifieds, gun shows or pawn shops for an old, ugly single shot 12ga. Cut off the end of the barrel making sure to leave it over the legal limit and it will be perfect at snake ranges. The shorter barrel and no choke really opens up the shot pattern making it much more useful at close range.
I had an old, rusty single shot H&R 12ga that I took to the gunsmith school at our local community college and simply told them to turn it into a legal snake gun for $100. They used it to practice a variety of skills. It came back with the barrel an inch over legal, mirror polished and freshly blued with a gold aiming pin at the end. The rust pits were polished out of the receiver and they color case hardened it, gold plated the trigger and gave the wood a nice linseed oil finish. It's quite attractive and perfect for snakes at less than 30 feet with 7 to 9 shot.
