Lead shot in a BP load?

playtheblues · July 3, 2008, 06:15 PM

Can you load a BP cylinder with lead shot, such as #9 or so, to shoot rats/mice with? Or... will the lead shot damage the rifling in the barrel?
BB in SC

Raider2000 · July 3, 2008, 06:42 PM

Yes of corse & it will not harm a thing.

My pet load for shot in my 1860 or my 1858 is:

15gr. FFFG Goex.
piece of cereal box for over powder wad.
15gr. #9 or #7 lead shot.
piece of cereal box for over shot wad.
compressed melt candle wax over the wad to help it stay put.

Cap & it's ready for some Snakes up to 5 yards.

20 years ago I was able to find lead BB's & it was a good close range squirel load.

playtheblues · July 3, 2008, 07:19 PM

Thanks Raider. I rarely shoot snakes as they are cool, but mice and rats...
BB in SC

doncameron · July 3, 2008, 07:59 PM

I had a guy convienced that I was an expert with a handgun, I could shoot
lightbulbs tossed in the air.
Pistol....1858 Remmy
load....powder,patch,shot,patch,ball.

mykeal · July 3, 2008, 08:04 PM

The important thing in Raider2000's post is the range he shoots snakes. 5 yards.

Bird shot in rifled barrels spins on exit, the pattern taking on a donut shape that expands outward. After about 10 yards it's pretty much useless on anything - snakes, mice, rats, etc.

As he said, it will not damage the rifling, however.

July 3, 2008, 06:15 PM	#1
playtheblues Member Join Date: June 2, 2008 Posts: 84	Lead shot in a BP load? Can you load a BP cylinder with lead shot, such as #9 or so, to shoot rats/mice with? Or... will the lead shot damage the rifling in the barrel? BB in SC

July 3, 2008, 06:42 PM	#2
Raider2000 Senior Member Join Date: July 23, 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 719	Yes of corse & it will not harm a thing. My pet load for shot in my 1860 or my 1858 is: 15gr. FFFG Goex. piece of cereal box for over powder wad. 15gr. #9 or #7 lead shot. piece of cereal box for over shot wad. compressed melt candle wax over the wad to help it stay put. Cap & it's ready for some Snakes up to 5 yards. 20 years ago I was able to find lead BB's & it was a good close range squirel load.

July 3, 2008, 07:19 PM	#3
playtheblues Member Join Date: June 2, 2008 Posts: 84	Thanks Raider. I rarely shoot snakes as they are cool, but mice and rats... BB in SC

July 3, 2008, 07:59 PM	#4
doncameron Senior Member Join Date: September 25, 2005 Location: Upstate S.C. Posts: 144	I had a guy convienced that I was an expert with a handgun, I could shoot lightbulbs tossed in the air. Pistol....1858 Remmy load....powder,patch,shot,patch,ball.

July 3, 2008, 08:04 PM	#5
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	The important thing in Raider2000's post is the range he shoots snakes. 5 yards. Bird shot in rifled barrels spins on exit, the pattern taking on a donut shape that expands outward. After about 10 yards it's pretty much useless on anything - snakes, mice, rats, etc. As he said, it will not damage the rifling, however.