.357 buck shot
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,180
Likes: 669
From: Scio, OR
I'm assuming you're talking about bird shot capsules in a .357 cartridge and not necessarily "buck" shot, where buck shot generally refers to shot sizes 4 (.24") to 000 (.36").
When I was a kid we lived in the desert in SE Oregon. Both my Dad and Brother were avid outdoors type people and Dad commonly loaded shot capsules for the .357 with (I think) #6 bird shot. #6 is apparently .110 inches.
As far as I know, there were never any issues. It was pretty worthless at anything less than a couple of feet, and they primarily carried it to shoot rattlesnakes.
I'd think you'd definitely want lead shot. I think steel shot would be pretty rough on the barrel.
When I was a kid we lived in the desert in SE Oregon. Both my Dad and Brother were avid outdoors type people and Dad commonly loaded shot capsules for the .357 with (I think) #6 bird shot. #6 is apparently .110 inches.
As far as I know, there were never any issues. It was pretty worthless at anything less than a couple of feet, and they primarily carried it to shoot rattlesnakes.
I'd think you'd definitely want lead shot. I think steel shot would be pretty rough on the barrel.
Jäger
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,491
Likes: 5
From: Northern Arizona
The shot-cartridges won't hurt the barrel.
Test fire a few rounds at some targets to get an idea of the pattern. I've tried them in .357 and .44 and they are not effective in my opinion.
Why are you considering the shotshells?
Test fire a few rounds at some targets to get an idea of the pattern. I've tried them in .357 and .44 and they are not effective in my opinion.
Why are you considering the shotshells?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,562
Likes: 2
From: Southern MD
I bought some of those 'shotshells' for .38/.357 years ago.
They didn't pattern worth a darn and at 10 feet, practically bounced off of a soda can. (One or two pellets actually HIT the can!)
If memory serves me (sometimes it doesn't) that shot was #9 or #12 shot.
Some real whoppin' power there. . . . .
They didn't pattern worth a darn and at 10 feet, practically bounced off of a soda can. (One or two pellets actually HIT the can!)
If memory serves me (sometimes it doesn't) that shot was #9 or #12 shot.
Some real whoppin' power there. . . . .
Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,466
Likes: 2,798
Used to use .22 bird shot out of a rifle--wouldn't touch a pigeon or crow. Out of a short barrel, like said, maybe effective for a couple of feet. Probably better to take two steps backwards from the snake than to chance these babies. (although I have some for my .44 I've never tried....hey, maybe out of my Winchester 94????)
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,047
Likes: 2
From: North west La
Get one of the new 410 pistols. It shoots a 410 or a 45 long Colt I think S&W makes it. I'll see if I can find a ad about it. They show the difference between the 410 & 44 mag at 7 yards.The 44 made a big hole but the 410 took out a 6 inch hole. Its a great gun for protection but its a large gun to conceal. At 7 yards it will put every buckshot it fires into a 6 inch pattern. That would stop anyone you hit. I use the 7 yard range because once the attacker gets 7 yards from you its time to fire.
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Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I think I still have a half dozen of those in .357 caliber. At least 20 years old and won't ever be used.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,466
Likes: 2,798
Taurus "Judge" revolver. .45 Long Colt or .410 shotgun.
Google "judge revolver" & see all kinds of video of it shooting...
Seems more effective in the shot department than the smaller caliber revolver loads.
Google "judge revolver" & see all kinds of video of it shooting...
Seems more effective in the shot department than the smaller caliber revolver loads.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,047
Likes: 2
From: North west La
Thats the gun. It seems awesome at close range. It penetrates a gell target deep enough to kill a man. I don't know what size shot they were using in the video but it impressed me. I think it be perfect gun to have beside your bed. If I'm forced into shooting a some crook thats breaking in my home,I want one shot to take him out.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Just don't think of them as snake medicine. Stick to Jack Daniels for that.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
I forget the magazine, but, I remember someone tested the ThunderFive (out of business for poor sales) which was the .45LR/410. For all the hype, the 410 would not serious hurt a heavily clothed target at 20 feet. Pretty much better off using a handgun with a .22LR that could actually hit the target and punch a hole through the jacket.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 0
From: Buckeye, AZ
I have 22 shot but have never used it on snakes, every time I saw one I didn't have a gun so it was on to rocks and skid tests. I still have all the shot bullets yet in about 5 years.
I was told in Alaska where I went last spring for vacay that a proper bear load was two shot in the lead with 4 leads in behind in a minimum 44 cal.
Well whether my writting sometimes reflect whether I' am able to reason or not, the theory was that you let them have the first two shot and if that didn't stop them from the atack then procede on with the lead after, well here is where I got to thinking that if the bear was charging at you from a noticable distance away at aprox 40 miles per hour you may if you system could stand it, get 3 shots off before you were lunch, I don't beleive I would lead out with shot.
I have never found shot for pistols or rifles worth much as they were not designed with chokes to set the pattern, and where rifle and pistols are "rifled" I would never use steel shot under any circumstance and would clean thorouhly after the use of lead shot.
I was told in Alaska where I went last spring for vacay that a proper bear load was two shot in the lead with 4 leads in behind in a minimum 44 cal.
Well whether my writting sometimes reflect whether I' am able to reason or not, the theory was that you let them have the first two shot and if that didn't stop them from the atack then procede on with the lead after, well here is where I got to thinking that if the bear was charging at you from a noticable distance away at aprox 40 miles per hour you may if you system could stand it, get 3 shots off before you were lunch, I don't beleive I would lead out with shot.
I have never found shot for pistols or rifles worth much as they were not designed with chokes to set the pattern, and where rifle and pistols are "rifled" I would never use steel shot under any circumstance and would clean thorouhly after the use of lead shot.