by Jorlcrin » 17 Oct 2023, 11:28 am
I've not used the .357 ones, but I've rattled about 300 of the .45ACP version through my 1911 auto(5" barrel).
Freaking expensive, but handy to have for certain pest-control circumstances.
I've nailed about 5 large King Brown[Mulga] snakes with these shotshells, and at 3-4 metres, the results are pretty effective.
[We dont shoot most other snakes, aside from King Browns, Eastern Browns, and Speckled Browns, and only in/around the house.]
Also nailed a few rabbits at close range, as well as a number of toads.
[Expensive toad solution, though..]
From what I can ascertain, the .45ACP ones gave me the equivalent of a semi-auto .410, as far as knock-down power and range.
I can only imagine the .357 version would be a little more steamy than that?
Pros for these shotshells:-
- #9 shot is perfect for snakes and small pests.
- They are powerfull enough to cycle the 1911 action, so I can keep pulling trigger till the Bitey stops being a problem[Helpful in those brown-trouser moments..].
- Dont need to worry about anything behind the target beyond about 15-20 metres distant.
- Effective out to approx 7 metres on small animals.
Cons for these shotshells:-
- Dear as poison per round.
- the .45ACP ones dont seem to be imported any more[Have seen boxes of the .357 ones in recent years].
- Cases were made of light alloy, and only just barely survive one firing.
- Very occasional incidents of the head being ripped off the case during cycling, and so requires a tap with a wooden dowel to remove the rest of the case.
I did trial some out on water-filled 3-litre plastic milk containers.
At 4 metres, the spread was probably 8 inches across.
At 6 metres, the spread was covering most of the milk container, so I'd guess maybe12 inches diameter?
From the damage to the milk containers, the rounds were pretty nasty in the 3-5 metres range, but rapidly lost effectiveness beyond that.
[Which is pretty much what I wanted them for..]
I've also nailed many bitey snakes with the 'Shovel of Destiny', which was a trenching shovel with a sharpened front edge, but the shotshells gave me a bit more stand-off for the more emotional bitey snakes.
Never saw any increased/excessive 'leading' in the barrrel from using them; cant be that different to running lead practice rounds in the .45acp.
I dont regret having a box or two of these in the safe; they are handy for particular situations.
This has been my experience; if it's any help.