Cap and Ball snake shot loads

[novus collectus]

Allright Jim Sr and other smokepoleers, I posted this on THR too but I doubt I will get a response in their blackpowder forum which doesn't get too much use sometimes.

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 I find 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?

 

[K31]

Allright Jim Sr and other smokepoleers, I posted this on THR too but I doubt I will get a response in their blackpowder forum which doesn't get too much use sometimes.

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 I find 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?

Just put a wad over the powder and another over the shot. Pretty much the way BP shotguns were loaded with a felt underwad and cardboard overwad.

You could probably just use Wonderwads for both.

 

[novus collectus]

Just put a wad over the powder and another over the shot. Pretty much the way BP shotguns were loaded with a felt underwad and cardboard overwad.

You could probably just use Wonderwads for both.

I was wrong about THR because a dude came back really quick with a great idea for C&B and .45 LC snake shot loads. He said basically the same thing, but not to top it off not with a wad, but a copper gas check and ram it in place. He even suggesated #9 or #12 shot.

 

[K31]

I was wrong about THR because a dude came back really quick with a great idea for C&B and .45 LC snake shot loads. He said basically the same thing, but not to top it off not with a wad, but a copper gas check and ram it in place. He even suggesated #9 or #12 shot.

I'd be afraid anything too solid might make a hole in the pattern.

 

[Jim Sr]

Allright Jim Sr and other smokepoleers, I posted this on THR too but I doubt I will get a response in their blackpowder forum which doesn't get too much use sometimes.

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 I find 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?

I wouldn’t bother with the shot.

Load to the max with 4F or 3F powder, allowing room for a wonder wad.

You will not be carrying a loaded gun, but should be able to make any snake grow legs, and get to the next county in a flash (pun intended.)


Flash = the flames and smoke from the muzzle.