Homebrew .38 ratshot experiment

bullsi1911

Finally got some outside shooting time, and got to test out a couple of .38 special loads. 

Both of these were 4grains of Trail Boss. 

First one was 7 stacked copper gas checks, shot at about 5 feet from a 4” S&W model 10:

Not very spectacular performance. Not a good spread, and lots of gaps. 

This was closer to “conventional” snake shot-  4 grains of Trailboss, then one gas check. Fill the case with #7 shot, then cap with an upside down gas check and heavy crimp:

Now that’s more like it!  I definitely think this one will be played with more. I think this will be part of my ranch load-out. 

earlyagain

Looks good.
Smaller shot would likely give a denser pattern.

CHIRO1989

That would work on all the grouse that just stand there and stare at me during deer season.

bullsi1911

Yeah, I will probably do the next loads with smaller shot, but for this test, I just cut open a 12 Gauge shell to get the shot.

And that will probably take me forever to use up.

Uncle Fester

I am glad no rats were harmed in your experiments.

Linefinder

KP speaks absolute truth. I forget the powder I used, but 38 Spl loaded with #12 shot at 10-12 feet distance makes snakes die faster than I've seen anything die.
If you can imagine a snake simply "slumping", that's what they do. I've blown cottonmouths and rattlers in half (or more) with #6 from a 12 gauge that still had a bit of fight left in them. Not so with a .38 Special stuffed with #12. That's the ultimate snake solution.

Mike

sakodude

did did something similar some years ago with 44 mag cases. Used a wonderwad between powder and shot, think I used#9 with a heavy card wad on top and a bit of elmers glue to seal the card. They shot very well and patterned pretty decent as I recall.

snake284

bullsi1911 said:

Finally got some outside shooting time, and got to test out a couple of .38 special loads. 

Both of these were 4grains of Trail Boss. 

First one was 7 stacked copper gas checks, shot at about 5 feet from a 4” S&W model 10:

Not very spectacular performance. Not a good spread, and lots of gaps. 

This was closer to “conventional” snake shot-  4 grains of Trailboss, then one gas check. Fill the case with #7 shot, then cap with an upside down gas check and heavy crimp:

Now that’s more like it!  I definitely think this one will be played with more. I think this will be part of my ranch load-out. 

I like that last one. That patterned better than some shotguns I've seen. That is definitely minute of Buzztail.

snake284

Now ya gone and done it. Now you got me re-interested in loading for my .38-.357. Maybe my 9 too because during this CoronaVirus lockdown farce I can't find 9mm.