is rat shot effective

[n.c.outlaw2024]

i have read that for anything over 24 ounces the answer is nope. for those who have more experience what is your opinion

 

[HTSmith]

Nope on critters half that size IME

 

[L.Sherm]

I've shot alot of pack rats with 44 mag shot shells, you gotta be about no further out than 15ft

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Very close range and ideally a smooth bore.

 

[Tommie]

Effective for what?

 

[MClark]

My mother liked the crimped 22LR shot out of a Ruger Single Six.
It doesn’t ricochet bad around the house and hard to miss.
At close range it looks like first shot would kill a snake but she always fired all 6…."Just to make sure."

 

[linedrive301ft]

Had a rat infestation in my barn. It worked really well on the population. Lot of fun on the hunt. little to no damage on the metal roof or siding. You do have to be fairly close as L Sherm stated.

 

[Bill K]

It can be effective, but as mentioned around 15ft or less.

 

[DGP4]

Only used it on snakes but it works well on them.

 

[Jim Hankins]

Works good on borer bees,like mini skeet.

 

[silverstatesw]

Works good on borer bees,like mini skeet.

i would say buy a henry smoothbore 22 for more effectiveness.

 

[Bottom Fodder]

To strike a snake you almost have to be in range of it striking you

 

[rayporter]

i have a 22 mag 5 shot with a one inch barrel that has killed numerous rattlers and copperheads. one cotton mouth that was under water was very hard to kill. he had to come up for air right at my boot before i got him.

i carry it everywhere.

 

[whatsupdoc]

Guy I know had a large rat in his basement, loaded up a S&W 22 revolver with
shot. Waited in the dark sitting up on the staircase when he heard some noise he turned on his light and sees a rather large rat under his slop sink. He aims and shoots, the rat jumps up in the air and when it hits the ground it charges him.

Last I heard he was running past his wife mumbling 22 high velocity hollow points.

 

[lb-ft]

Homemade 38 special snakeshot very effective 6’ on rats, haven’t tried further out

 

[mmcu]

Homemade 38 special snakeshot very effective 6’ on rats, haven’t tried further out

Agreed. Here's what it does with #9 shot from about 10'. It's tough on the local Copperheads and Rattlers.

.22 Long Rifle rat shot falls in the "pretty much useless" category in my opinion.

 

[drover]

I have used the 22 LR birdshot to kill a lot of rattlesnakes and pack rats with my 22 revolver - it has always worked well for me.

drover

 

[CADDIE5]

Double Tap has some new snake loads in 41mag,45LC,44mag, 500SW mag, among other calibers. Saw Guns &Gear cable show. Had segment shooting into ballistic gelatin. No shot wad but light bullet with several hundred #9 shot pellets.

DT SnakeShot™

Doubletap Ammunition announces a new take on pistol shot shells; Doubletap SnakeShot™. This lineup gives the customer the ability to shoot birdshot with a predictable spread from their revolver. The #9 shot does not take the rifling in this shotshell, so there is not centrifugal spread, giving...

doubletapammo.com

 

[Tommie]

Double Tap has some new snake loads in 41mag,45LC,44mag, 500SW mag, among other calibers. Saw Guns &Gear cable show. Had segment shooting into ballistic gelatin. No shot wad but light bullet with several hundred #9 shot pellets.

DT SnakeShot™

Doubletap Ammunition announces a new take on pistol shot shells; Doubletap SnakeShot™. This lineup gives the customer the ability to shoot birdshot with a predictable spread from their revolver. The #9 shot does not take the rifling in this shotshell, so there is not centrifugal spread, giving...

doubletapammo.com

That’s pretty cool. They’re loading some of the less common cartridges.

 

[dusterdave173]

I keep a cheapo Heritage arms 22 near the back door--in case I step out and find a snake--the 22 rat shot seemed useless--had to be way too close--switched over to the 22 mag cylinder with 22 Mag rat shot and Whammo! It does the job way better than the 22 LR shot--way better!!