Blanks & Bird/snakeshot Loads

leatherbead

Can anyone give me some pointers on these two? I want to load some of both in 38 special. Is it possible? Thanks

BHAVIN

Speer makes a shotshell capsule just for loading snakeshot loads. They have them for 38 special and are easy to load. I don't know about blanks I've never had any use for them.

Rocky Raab

Dittoes to that. Shot capsules are the ONLY way to go. There is even load data on the side of the box of capsules - but in my experience you get MUCH better results if you don't load them that hot. The faster you launch them, the sooner the pattern breaks up into uselessness. At best, figure one inch of pattern size for every foot of range: at ten feet, the pattern is ten inches wide, and that's about the limit for getting multiple pellets on a pest critter.

leatherbead

Thanks, I will hunt down a box or two

Rocky Raab

I forgot to mention this, but do stick to very small shot. I use nothing larger than 7 1/2 and prefer 9s in these loads. You'd get very few larger shot in the capsules, and the patterns gets large so quick that those few would leave gaping holes.

BHAVIN

Rocky has good advice. I use a combo of #8 and #12 shot. You can get the capsules from Midway USA or Graf & Sons.

leatherbead

Thanks again, Pat

11b6r

Assume that the effective range of shot loads is half what you think it will be- and you are still probably optimistic. DO use the shot capsules, Unique is a good powder for them, expect groups to "doughnut" at range due to spin of rifling. But they DO make decent snakeshot loads at close range.