Small game with .44 mag/birdshot?

heydeerman · December 28, 2004, 06:35 PM

Any experience with this? I am interested in giving this a shot. I will be using factory loads and if you can recommend something I would appreciate it.

Greybeard · December 28, 2004, 11:15 PM

Shot loads are typically not very effective except at rather close range - closer than you'll typically be able to get to small game.

Father-in-law uses 'em on squirrels that are raiding his bird feeders. He kills one now and then (with multiple shots) - but typically just peppers 'em enough to run 'em off (temporarily).

If you "pattern" a shot load out of your 44 on something like a picnic plate, I suspect you'll find they get pretty useless beyond 4 to 5 yards.

beenthere · December 29, 2004, 11:23 PM

Even the shot capsules spin from the rifling and disperse the shot in a pretty wide pattern very quickly. I've shot snakes at 3-4 yards and it worked well. Wouldn't want to try it much farther.

December 28, 2004, 06:35 PM	#1
heydeerman Junior Member Join Date: December 27, 2004 Location: Sunbury, Ohio Posts: 6	Small game with .44 mag/birdshot? Any experience with this? I am interested in giving this a shot. I will be using factory loads and if you can recommend something I would appreciate it. __________________ Jim "heydeerman" Suttinger Back to Basic Bowhunting P.O. Box 842 Sunbury, Ohio 43074 (614) 352-6115 www.backtobasicbowhunting.com

December 28, 2004, 11:15 PM	#2
Greybeard Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2002 Location: Denton County Texas Posts: 686	Shot loads are typically not very effective except at rather close range - closer than you'll typically be able to get to small game. Father-in-law uses 'em on squirrels that are raiding his bird feeders. He kills one now and then (with multiple shots) - but typically just peppers 'em enough to run 'em off (temporarily). If you "pattern" a shot load out of your 44 on something like a picnic plate, I suspect you'll find they get pretty useless beyond 4 to 5 yards. __________________ www.dentoncountysports.com A Private Palace for Pistol Proficiency

December 29, 2004, 11:23 PM	#3
beenthere Senior Member Join Date: November 16, 2004 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 460	Hangun shotshells Even the shot capsules spin from the rifling and disperse the shot in a pretty wide pattern very quickly. I've shot snakes at 3-4 yards and it worked well. Wouldn't want to try it much farther.