Shot Snake

[Wayne/Al]

Several years ago I saw a picture of Spence ( a long time member of this forum) wearing a shot snake while hunting with his shotgun. I thought It would be nice to have one until I priced it. Pretty expensive. I found the English chargers on line for 30.00 dollars for both, bought some leather and made this one . After I got it cut out I took it to a local leather shop and had the sewing done. Its been with me several years and served me well. It speeds up the loading process quite a bit.
The chargers have two gates one marked at 1 oz the other marked 1.25 oz . I set one at 1oz for the powder the other set at 1.25 for the shot. I weighed the powder at 79.8 gn and the shot weighed 1.24 oz so its a pretty good load . Took lots of squirrels , doves and a few rabbits.
Just thought I would share how I do the muzzle loading thing . Think I’ll go after some squirrel this week.

 

[Sam squanch]

I had a shot snake. I filled him FULL of holes that day.......

 

[Treestalker]

I have a shot snake with an Irish scoop type head that I got in a trade many moons ago. It has served me through many a hunt and 3 shotguns. The guns are gone, but now replaced with a 12ga NA blanket gun with a 14" barrel and a cut down Ash stock, converted Tower flintlock, and a musket nipple. Brass furniture. It screams for pigeon blood! Now working on a 20ga 'Hobbit' gun with an 11" barrel, 12 1/2" pull butt stock, a small back action percussion lock with drum and #11 nipple. Walnut, Iron furniture. This project is really growing on me, and the shot snake will be waiting.