Anyone have experience with CCI SHOTSHELLS?

Question

Is their ballistic punch really anything handy or are they just novelty? I've read of having to unload 3 .357 shotshells and then a hollowpoint into a fat rattlesnake before he ceased defensive efforts completely. It was also stated the spread pattern is simple horrible in a large caliber pistol, like the effect of sawing off a shotgun barrel. Any info on experiences with these would be appreciated.

i've got several other guns to kill them with i was just wondering about the cci in specific. i will never buy a .410 in my life haha. but the .20 gauge, how small a gun can i get that in? i can't be carrying a rifle otherwise i'd have one of my other old pals. i've seen pocket derringers in .410/.45longcold thats bout the only .410 i'd ever buy, but i bet the spread on it is just terrrrible. i've considered even a tiny mossberg 12 gauge 2+1, really small, prolly fit in my tackle box, that'll stop anything i need it too any more opinions?

Answer 1

they are for very close range work. I actually prefer to load my own and use #12 shot over #9 which is what is in most of the shotshells CCI sells (.22's being the exception). Good for close range work on vermin like rats. I personally am quite fond of the .410 since I got one a few years back in a springfield M6 scout. I use it more on the farm than any other gun. A good 3 inch shell with #4 shot takes care of most of the vermin around here and I don't have to worry about shooting the neighbors cow.

Oh and on the revolvers, be careful as if you load all the cylinders with shotshells they can slide forward and stop the cylinder from rotating. I have had this happen with both a .357 and .44 mag. the .45 auto and 9mm shotshells turn the guns into single shot weapons.

Answer 2

I've played around with the CCI shot shell. As with anything, a pellet has to hit a vital. They work OK to about 3 feet on snakes. Makes them back off so you can get away. Death comes a bit later unless you shred the head or split the body in half. If snakes are a real issue where you want to go. Get a single shot 20 gage. I think you can find "coach guns" in 20 so you can have 2 shots if that make you feel better. [I'm not much of a fan of 410, but, you can find those in pumps]

CCI shot shell are much more fun on large flying insects.

Answer 3

CCI Shotshells work very well, if used as intended...For short range(6-7ft) defense against snakes..You do have to shoot them in the head at short range..

I can see where the scenario you describe could happen if someone shot at a snake at 12-15ft and missed the head..In that case all you're going to do is tear the snake up..If the snake is that far away either wait until it gets closer or back off..

I use .38sp CCI Shotshells in a S & W Model 66 with a 4in barrel, works for me...I live in the Ozark Mtns and have a river running past my place so there are plenty of snakes to go around..

Answer 4

I've killed rattlesnakes with a single head shot using .38 Special shot shell in a .357 Magnum with a 4" barrel. That's about the only thing I use them for. The bigger of the two was a little over 5' long. Took two shots to the neck.

If it is still warm enough for snakes I'll usually load the first two chambers with shot shell and the rest with 125 grain .357 hollow point ammo, or 180 grain hard cast lead bullets.

Now I've also killed big rattlesnakes during the dead of winter. If a large rattlesnake is hungry, it will come out to hunt even if it is cold.

H

Answer 5

the cci shot shell is only good on bugs . if u really want to shoot any small varmets use gamepoints,maxi-magsplus-v. the plus-v is45grains .but the best is cci tnts hollowpoints they will blow a hole in snything out to 200 yrds.