Anyone tried the CCI Birdshot through their pistol cartridge rifles?

[teddy12b]

I was out deer hunting the other day and saw nice fat squirrel.  I had my shotgun with me but it made me think of the 44mag snake shot loads I have, but have never shot through my Puma 44mag.  Would this damage my rifle?  They say that the blue plastic is supposed to break against the rifling and I think it would definitely not be a good idea, but I don't know for sure.

Is it safe to shoot CCI shotshells in the lever action pistol cartridge rifles?

[Blackhawk44]

Pretty much a waste of powder and lead.  Out of a pistol, most snake loads are pretty useless beyond about 12 to 15 feet.  With  even the slightest increase in velocity and added friction of the longer barrel, things actually get worse.  A nice 240gr swaged Speer SWC over 5 grains of Bullseye in a .44 Special case would make less noise than a cap gun and be plenty accurate for your needs.      

[Jerry Lester]

Like B-H 44 said, they're not much good at any normal ranges. I've run a few through my 1894C(CCI 38 shotshells), and they actually do hold a little tighter pattern than when fired through my Blackhawk. Even so, I'd never trust them on a squirrel past about 10 feet.

[glwenzl]

I have shot them some and the most fun I had was when i was getting ready to leave for a two week fishing trip up north I was putting the mower away and saw a hornet or wasp nest.... After using 45 LC birdshot through my contender with no success I decided to try the 45 LC in my NEF 410 full choke. Man it worked great, patterned just right so I could kill almost every bee, usuall knock down the nest and not hurt the wood in my out buildings....

Since then i make my own wads and don't buy the capsules much anymore... a nice roll crimp holds it in place pretty good... i also use 444 brass for a 2 1/2" 410 shotshell that has been working reall well...

[Davemuzz]

I found the CCI pistol cartridge birdshot loads are anemic at best. So, what I do is buy the plastic caps http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=313962&t=11082005 and load 'em myself with #8 or #9 shot and Vihtavouri N-110 powder.

Try these and pattern 'em out of your pistol on cardboard. Much better performance than the "storebot" ones.

Dave