Cap and Ball revolver snake shot loads

[Novus Collectus]

Yeah, I know, the most common response will be "get a Lemat", but that is not what I am thinking.

In my state there is no open carry of handguns without a permit, but there may be an omission of law for open carry of loaded "antiques" and I was sitting here wondering about carrying a cap and ball revolver loaded with snake shot while fishing and if it can be done.
Now this is purely hypothetical since I love snakes and am more likely to play with one than to shoot it, but what if? How about shooting rodents with the snake shot at close distance? Is there shot that will work in a C&B and can flashover/chainfire be prevented somehow?

 

[O.S.O.K.]

shot loads

I would suggest this for shot loads: (assuming a .44 caliber)

Load 27 grains of fffg (a common powder spout capacity), place a lubed felt wad and ram it down. Pour in enough #9 or #12 shot into the cylinder to come up to about 1/8" of the top of the cylinder. Place a gas check lip down, over the shot and use the ram to seat it down over the shot.

You're going to need something to hold the shot in the cylinders and gas checks are what I've used in 45 Colt shot loads - crimped in place. Makes a heckava shot load.

If you want a 36 caliber load, just substitute 38 caliber components and use a lighter charge of course.

 

[Tommygunn]

There has been a number of threads here in other forums about BP weapons being "exempt" from laws about regular guns because they're antiques or repros of said.
I would be very careful, because the answers seem to depend upon (A.) the state you're in and (B.) other factors that might not be obvious, like the gun being a "destructive device" or some other obscure interpretation of the law.
Many people who ask questions about the law are told that it is best to consult an actual attorney where you live who is familiar with the law, as internet advice is ... worth what you pay for it: $0.00 -Or- ZIP.
You are hereby advised: CONSULT A LAWYER! fIND OUT WHAT THE LAW really IS, NOT what some Perry Mason wannabe out here in internet land thinks it is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Novus Collectus]

Wow O.S.O.K., that was quick and awesomely helpfull.

 

[Novus Collectus]

Tommygun, I know all that and whenever I give advice I take pains to also advise that I am a layman and not a lawyer. However, I live in MD and if there is any state law that says I cannot carry a loaded rifle, shotgun or "antique" in public when not in a vehicle, then I have yet to find it and no one else I have discussed this with in person or online has found the law either, including MD police officers.

I can point to MD code where it omits "antiques", and I can point to some case law as well where it is refered to by the MD Court of Appeals, but I always try to make sure that people understand it is only my unqualified interpretation of what I link to.

 

[O.S.O.K.]

you are welcome

I am thinking that the gas check should work well dimensionally. They may prove challenging to seat into the cylinders lip down, but that would be the prefered position for discharge.

Here in Texas, we have the same specific disqualifier for antiques and replicas that are not centerfire or rimfire - in other words, cap, flint, match or other antiqe design ignition.

I bet any LEO that finds you with the cap and ball will haul you in anyway though - and I note that you refer to "appeals" court findings...

But, I know where you are coming from. Maryland is a commy state inasfaras gun laws are concerned. They need to get real IMHO.

 

[SeanSw]

I was just wondering about the same thing earlier this week. I work on a small garden outside city limits, but one edge is within a few feet of the nearest home. I thought trying out a snake/rabbit/bird load would be an interesting tactic for the pests. At least with some small shot the possibilities of an accident would go way down.

Has anyone patterned a shot load from a BP gun?

 

[Tommygunn]

Tommygun, I know all that and whenever I give advice I take pains to also advise that I am a layman....

Sorry 'bout that; looking back at the thread I realize I misunderstood the point of your post. (oooops)

 

[arcticap]

This was previously posted in a thread here from instructions listed on a package of TC Wonder Wads, it's TC's recommendation of how to load shot charges in BP revolvers:

Overshot Card
Per the instructions on the Ox-Yoke Wonder Wads Packaging Card:
1. Powder Charge
2. Wonder Wad
3. Shot Charge (I filled the chamber to just shy of the top)
4. Another Wonder Wad as an over-shot card
As an FYI, I have a copy of these instructions (the packaging card) scanned to a pdf format. If anyone is interested, let me know.

 

[mykeal]

SeanSW,

I would think the only thing that would even begin to pass muster in your situation might be a pellet gun. If you are "within a few feet of a home" you are gonna get no slack from a magistrate regarding discharge of a weapon - ANY weapon. That's just not a smart thing to do. In Michigan discharge of a weapon withing 450 feet (don't ask how they came up with that number) of a building (don't know the qualifiers) will get you a visit to the local lockup, fines, possible confiscation, etc. And Illinois' gun laws are much more restrictive than Michigan.

 

[SeanSw]

Mykeal, you are right. We have used pellet guns with success for years and have made a few good meals from the rabbits, though I couldn't tell you how the grackles taste. When I mentioned this to the property owner his only response was that shooting rabbits became a lot easier when he got a .22. This is the 2nd year that all of the sour cherries and hedge cherries were lost to pests and since those trees face opposite of the town I wondered about using a shot load on them.

The .22 subsonics we've had out there are only slightly louder than my air rifle. Anyone who sees and hears the Crosman 1000 might assumes it's a .22 and there has been no trouble in 15 years from having firearms present.

Whether or not I have a chance to try a shot load at the farm I will pattern them out of my 8" barrel and post photos.

 

[faustopph]

Just read a post on another forum dealing with this same topic.One of the replys went like thisut a charge of shot into a plastic bag,throw it up in the air and hit it with a baseball bat and you will get just as good of a pattern ,I believe it said from ten feet.One guy tried to see what kind of a pattern could be had and at a short distance he achieved a pattern of 8 ft.I don't recall how far away, but it was not much.
One quoted Elmer Keith as saying "You don't need shot for snakes.Just point the gun and they will line themselves up for You".Good o'le Elmer.I realize you are talking more of birds than snakes but this was worth a laugh when I read it.
Rifleing in the barrel causes a scattered pattern.

 

[MISSEDSHOT]

snake-shot loads

There is an article on Gunblast.com in the archives area for snake-loads for center-fire revolvers that is excellent. It involves seating a round lead ball over shot.I realize this creates a problem in case of ricochet but read the article! I also like the gas check idea due to the revolver wads coming loose on occation and the shot locking up the action depending on how small it is.I once suggested using Elmer's glue on top of the card/wad in a degreased cylinder, another method used in reloading centerfire cartridges with shot.The gas check method looks wonderful!Now, someone suit up with a full face shield, heavy leather gloves and hearing protection and let it rip!!!

 

[n8dawg6]

the load that worked for me was: 25 g. goex 3f blackpowder, ram in a wonder wad, fill to chamber mouth w/ #12 shot, cover w/ another wonder wad. i carried this load around in a holster, the shot didnt budge. perforates a tin can at close range, but the pattern opens up QUICK. this is with a pietta .44 cal 1858 remington replica.