.22 shot shells

katch22

I have a question about the .22 cal shot shells. I have some that are .22 WMR for a revolver that I have but I've never shot any of them because I was concerned that they might ruin the rifling. I've also seen the .22 long rifle shot shells in the store but never bought them for the same reason. If they won't damage the barrel, how far out would they be effective for something small like a squirrel?

Clarentavious

Very very limited range. For one thing, the shot spreads out extremely quickly - much more so than say, # 7.5 birdshot from a 18" barrel shotgun. It produces an extremely wide pattern even at close proximity. It also loses its velocity very fast. Chances are, the shot size is number 11.

I have tested some CCI 9mm shot shells. And remember, you are talking about a 22 here. I'd say 10 feet at absolute max.

Bill DeShivs

They won't hurt the barrel, but you will need to use a good solvent and a bore brush to remove the leading.
Bill

Tailgunner1954

I wouldn't try them on a squirrel, unless it was in the house.
There called "snake loads" and "rat loads" for a reason. I find the LR ones to be quite effective on mice, as long as the range is under 10 FEET.

gunnut505

Those shot shells are loaded with #28 shot, are useless past 5' if they are effective at all, and even through a rifle, won't be lethal to anything bigger than a spider.
They contain lead shot, which is softer than the bullets loaded in .22lr ammo; they can't hurt the rifling.
They also cannot be fired in semiautos, due to their longer size after firing.

oldgunman

I've shot these for years through all my 22s (rifles)and while dangerous further out(they spread very wide), they are best used for mice at about 4' or less. Just my experience.

n/a

Again they will not hurt the rifling, just clean real well after use.

I keep some on hand for snake loads for close range and they are good for that. But I don't think a squirrel will et you close enuff to it to be effective

MIKE WISKEY

they also work well on wasp nests @ 10-15'

breddyrrt

I use the 22lr in a single shot rifle. Last spring I kill 9 Barn Swallows(sp)? with 4 shots @ about 12ft.
Brian

cody45

22 LR shotshells normally use #12 shot. They are very effective when fired from a smoothbore, such as a winchester 61. I have taken many rats, and woodpeckers at distances much further than 10 feet but Im not here to brag. What alot of people dont realize is that rifling causes the shot cluster to swirl and therefore a true "pattern" is not possible. I find them truly handy around my property, especially on moving targets, and look forward to trying the new Remington version which uses #10 shot. I would rather use my 410 but my neighbors dont care for the noise.

Fatstrat

Great idea on the Wasps nest use!
I've also found that extraction can be a minor problem w/shotshells. Often you have to dig them out of the chamber w/a knife.