Shot snake

I am looking into BP shotguning and it looks to me that the price of shot snakes is very high. At least the one I have seen are. Is there an alternative way to carry shot or some sort of devise I can make that will carry the shot in the field and at the range?

 

[roundball]

I am looking into BP shotguning and it looks to me that the price of shot snakes is very high. At least the one I have seen are. Is there an alternative way to carry shot or some sort of devise I can make that will carry the shot in the field and at the range?

If you're not necessarily tied to a PC approach, there are a few companies which make individual shot carriers, usually called ';speedshells' of some such designation.

I use them made by Blue & Gray products (now owned by oxyoke, check their website) to carry premeasured powder and shot charges for my .62 and .12ga smoothbores

 

[shmrck1]

Chet,
very high is a relative term. check www.dixiegunworks.com. they have snakes or options ranging
from $27 to $120, FYI
snake-eyes eace: :thumbsup:

 

[Alberta Black]

I make readi loads out of film containers,
1. glue two containers together bottom to bottom
2. glue a string from thelid to the body of the container so the lid does not get lost when you pop the top.
3. fill one container with shot and the other with powder.

cheap and effective but a little bulky and not traditonal.
I shoot an old H&R Huntsman anyway. But my hunting companions use shot snakes and have great arguments over Irish vs Engish styles.

AB

 

[Bushwhacker]

Contact [email protected]. They can make you one at a reasonable price

 

[Huntinfool]

I did what any poor man wouldv'e done back in the day. I made a shot bag. Not much different than a ball bag. I use it right out of my possible bag.

I made it from buckskin with a deer antler spout and a wood plug.

I need a couple more so I don't have to pour out shot and refill everytime I change animals or targets.

It seems to work well for me though. I've used it during dove hunts and for squirrels and rabbits as well as turkeys!

YMH&OS :redthumb:
Chuck

 

Is there an alternative way to carry shot or some sort of devise I can make that will carry the shot in the field and at the range?

Chet,
A few years ago when I started to get into shotgunning I also found shot bags/snakes to be more than I wanted to spend. I wanted to try to be as PC as reasonably possible so I didn't want to use film canisters or anything of the sort. If you are not looking to be PC, film canisters would likely be a good option. What I did, was i bought a few raggidy original shot bags off e-bay. I found that the ones where the bag was pretty much hooped, could be bought reasonably. I only wanted the charge head anyway. I don't think I paid more than $12 for any of them and just made my own bag. I also made a sling to carry them in. I had put "D" rings on the first two I made because that's how the original ones I had seen were but found that to be not to my likeing. The sling can be used for several different bags (I made 4). there's a pic showing how they go in/out of the sling. I later made a snake with a contemporary Irish head I think I got trm TOTW. The head was something like $25.

 

[Keith]

I've seen a guy use a horn with a charger head, I believe he used an English style head.

 

[FireMaker]

In my fusil, I use traditional paper cartridge. When rolled, I twist the end. The twist end has the over shot card. Next comes the shot, then over powder wad. Powder is next and then fold over the end. I use a 9/16 punch and make the wads.

When ready to shoot, Rip the folded end with your teeth and pour powder in the gun. I then twist the paper on the powder end and put the remaining cartridge down the barrel
and your ready to go. This works well with mine and saves time, effort and $$$$. :m2c:less taxes

 

[Rebel]

I use a leather shot flask with an Irish style head that is from CVA. They strill list them in their catalog. They run less than $30 You might try to get one from Michael Dolney at Freetrapper Muzzleloading. His phone number is:
1-877-403-3957 toll free. Also try his websight:
www.freetrappers.com Mike is a great guy to deal with. Have bought, traded, and sold him a bunch of stuff over the last few years. He is in Foley, Mn.

 

[jrdavis]

I bought one made by CVA when I got home I found that the spring to charger head was broken...I called CVA they didnt have or carry them but refered me to another person who socks parts no luck here ...seems the spring on the repoduction heads is too hard. no one makes or carries them to fit the CVA. I guess what I'm saying here is be leary of CVA. :imo: oh ya this was an Irish type head

 

[Rebel]

I have 2 of the CVA flasks and have never had any trouble with them. Have been using them for about 4 years now.

 

[Dave K]

I have had nothing but trouble with the new repo English head spring(Pedersoli). BUT, the good news is the old orginal springs fit right in! So find the worst and cheapest shot pouch you can find and rob the spring.I shoot with a leather shot flast with English head. They hold about 3-4lb. of shot depending on the model. I am shooting 1oz. load and have ran out of shot in a morning dove hunt. Yes, lots of shooting and lots of fun! :crackup:

 

If time is not an issue try ebay, under sporting goods, all catigories, vintage, blackpowder. right now there is atleast ten shot snakes, flasks, and containers, all shapes, sizes conditions, and prices, also under vintage is a other or everthing else catagory, and I've found good deals there, as people didn't know what catagory to put it in. be diligent watch and you will get a good deal, with a little luck. :m2c: