#12 lead shot???

blopez50

blopez50

New member
Does anyone know of a place to get some? Im looking to load some 38 shotshell loads for snakes when it starts warming up. The smallest I can find around here is #9.

If anyone has some and would sell me a little (could ship in small flat rate) please shoot me a PM.

Thanks guys!
 
As you probably already know ..... if you can't "borrow" a few ounces of shot from someone, you'd probably be better off (financially) buying factory loaded ammunition. I can't imagine that there are that many snakes in your immediate vicinity.
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And I know that if you want #12 ... then you want #12. But #9 shot is extremely small and should be safe anywhere that you could use #12.
 
In my experience with #12 shot it is a good way to piss a snake off unless you are shooting within about 6 feet of them. And if I was within 6 feet of them I would much rather be shooting #9 at them. I shoot the CCI .45 that has #9 and it anchors the snake with one shot. Big rattlesnakes are not very inclined to give up after a hit with #12 unless you're standing on them, and then once again I would rather hit them with #9. #12 shot ok for .22's, but move up if you get the chance. I believe factory .38's use #9 don't they?
 
Ya I believe most of the factory snake shot loads use #9. I have just been doing some reading and "they" say that #11/12 is more effective.

I could def buy some factory ones but just wanted to mess around and try to load/pattern some. I think im going to end up buying some 12 gauge shells loaded with #12 and cut em open!

Do you shoot those .45 in an auto? Ive read some different stuff on if it will cycle or not. just curious!
 
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Originally Posted By: blopez50

Do you shoot those .45 in an auto? Ive read some different stuff on if it will cycle or not. just curious!

HIS may cycle them ..... but none of MINE will.
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I have a Interarms Star PD .45 and so far it has cycled every time with the .45 shotshells. The only thing that has also cycled is my heartrate as I kiss $1.75 goodbye for each shot. In fact, that pistol collected dust until I tried it with shotshells after the children had a "scary" encounter with a big Diamondback on Easter 2 years ago. They weren't in any danger of getting bit but when I shot the snake from 8 feet with the .22 shotshell it got angry real quick and closed to about 6 feet to coil up in a clear area of ground. 5 shots later from 6 feet and I finally had his head down to the ground. Now 8 feet is too far for a .22 shotshell but when it's all you've got and you don't have any plans to get closer it's what you use. I have anchored a medium size (3 1/2) Diamondback from 15 feet away with the #9. Didn't kill him, but he was done moving around. I don't go out of the house to work in the yard/field without the 45 strapped to my hip.

I have shot many snakes with a .22 shot shell and the .45 shotshells. All the way from little baby Copperheads up to full grown Eastern Diamondbacks and in my experience it's not even close as far as knockdown power. You being able to reload gives you some room to experiment with different loads, I'm sure that .38 casing will hold a bunch of 12 shot. There was also a post on here last year where someone was developing a load for the .38 with I believe #9 shot. I might try loading some of those too and trying them out.
 
Reminds me of an incident several years ago, I was following my friend to a hunting spot when we encountered a HUGE rattlesnake. There was about 3-4 feet of snake in the road, and the rest down in the ditch. My buddy said stand back and I'll take care of him. His 38 revolver with snake shot really pi$$ed that snake off! I finished off the snake with a 38 wadcutter to the head (I could shoot back in those days). I don't know how much faith I would put in snake shot. The rattlers I've encountered in Montana probably wouldn't be too impressed with snake shot either.
 
I load .357 shot shells. That #12 shot doesn't work very well, unless you're almost close enough for the snake to bite you. I wanted to be able to use it on grouse, also, and ended up using #7 shot, but around #8 or #9 would have worked, and had a more "filled-in" pattern, I think.

You only get around 1100 fps, that #12 doen't pack enough punch to kill a bird at any kind of distance.

Just sayin.
 
i wanted the same thing you did a few years ago
i got some from ballistic specialties ....
but i have used it/given it away
 


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