.44 Pietta snake loads

[Al Cummins]

Is it possible to fire shot through these BP revolvers? Seems like it would be easy enough to make wads for shot and cap the shot with something like what I saw on a different forum, the gentleman had cut them out of orange juice containers, and then grease or wax. I carry a pistol everywhere and would like to be able to load a few of the cylinders with shot like I do now with my .22 mag. Anybody ever done this? Thanks

 

Don't see why not, as long as the over-shot wad is firm enough to stand up to recoil. I have made shot cartridges for cartridge pistols, but there you can crimp the wad in place. If you try it, let us know how it works out. :grin:

 

[poordevil]

I read one time, where the shooter used gas checks for .44 / .45 cal bullets. Powder, gas check, shot, gas check.

 

[Zonie]

I haven't done it but I would think that for snakes at 5-6 feet they would do the job.

For rabbits at 20 feet they wouldn't be worth a dam.

 

[Al Cummins]

Thanks for the help, I thought it would work just didnt want it to blow up in my face. Ill let y'all know how it turns out!

 

[Blizzard of '93]

as poordevil I read of a shooter loading shot useing gas checks. a .451 bottom then shot then a .457 (Long Colt) atop for squeeze fit.
IIRC the powder charge was 19gr 3f.

 

[cowpoke1955]

I have done as poordevil mentioned. In stead of gas checks, I've used Wonder Wads. Due to the loose shot and the riflings, zonie is totally correct. I would load the first three chambers with shot and the next two with round ball.

 

[Supercracker]

I keep at Navy .44 at the office for snakes, dog training and miscellaneous. I keep 3 cylinders with #8 shot and 2 with a ball.

I use a lightly lubed, slightly oversized leather wad over the shot and have never had any problems.

the rifling does wacky things with the shot pattern. A snake at 3 or 4 feet its great. Same snake at 6' you'll probably miss him altogether.

 

[Stumpkiller]

Sure. Good for six feet and further than that you don't need to shoot a snake.

You could also just drop an 1858 on it with stunning results. :rotf:

 

[Gatofeo]

Be wary of the background when using shot loads in cap and ball revolvers.
Some years ago I tried it against a large sheet of paper tacked to plywood.
The first shot from about 20 feet, the shot bounced back from the plywood and struck me. It didn't have enough power to pierce my clothing or skin, but gave a loud "TICK!" to my glasses.
Wear eye protection when experimenting, and don't shoot straight on against any hard object.
I used a .44 Remington. Don't recall the powder or shot charge, but at 20 feet the pattern was about 3 feet across. The .44 chamber holds little shot, so there wasn't much chance of hitting a snake at that distance.
If I feel the need to carry snake medicine, I carry my .38 snubnose with Speer shotshells. Up close, a cap and ball might work okay but you'd probably have to be within a few feet for maximum effect.
I don't make a habit of shooting snakes. Even rattlesnakes have a right to live, as long as they pose no danger to me or others. If I see a snake, even a poisonous one, I simply walk around it.
Snakes keep the rodent and insect population down. If there is no dire need, don't kill them.

 

[Al Cummins]

It doesn't sound like it would be very effective, I try to use what I have for whatever I can. I could just carry the .22 mag that I carry now. I'm in agreement about not killing anything I don't have to, but if you're a snake (pit vipers) within 100 feet from the cabin.....you're fair game.