CCI 40 Cal Shotshell #9 – Reliable Pest Control Load, #9 Shot, 1250 fps, 10 Rounds

Description

CCI 40 Cal Shotshell #9 ammunition gives .40 S&W owners a dependable answer to snakes, rodents and other pests at close range. CCI builds its centerfire handgun shotshells with a shot capsule that holds a payload of fine pellets, and this load carries 88 grains of number 9 lead shot at a rated 1250 feet per second. The lead payload delivers dense, effective patterns at the short distances where most pest encounters happen.

Why Owners Carry This 40 Cal Snake Shot

• 88 grains of #9 lead shot
• Rated 1250 fps
• Built on CCI’s proven centerfire shotshell design
• Aluminum case, not reloadable
• Reusable box of 10 rounds, CCI 3740

CCI 40 Cal Shotshell #9 Features

• Effective on snakes, rats and other small pests at close range
• Lower risk of long-range travel than a solid bullet
• Useful for hikers, campers, ranchers and gardeners
• Dense lead pattern for reliable results

Where legal, some hunters also use handgun shotshells for small game at very close range, such as a grouse or squirrel on the ground a few feet away. Check local hunting regulations first, since some areas restrict or prohibit this. For most owners, though, the main role of this ammunition is peace of mind on the trail, around the barn and at the campsite.

CCI has made handgun shotshells for decades, and they remain a staple for hikers, fishermen, farmers and ranchers who share ground with rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths. A single shot of fine pellets at close range is often a safer and more certain option than trying to hit a small, moving target with a single bullet.

These shells are not intended for self-defense against people or large animals. Keep them for pests and small animals at very close range, and carry standard defensive or hunting ammunition for anything else.

Clean your firearm after shooting shotshells, since shot capsule material and residue can foul the bore and cylinder more than standard bullets. A quick pass with a bore snake keeps accuracy consistent when you switch back to regular ammunition.

Shot capsules generate less recoil energy than a standard .40 S&W bullet, so most semi-automatic pistols will not cycle this 40 cal snake shot reliably. Plan on working the slide by hand between shots, and test a few rounds in your own pistol before relying on them in the field. Keep shotshells in a separate, clearly marked box so they never get mixed with your regular ammunition, and clean the barrel afterward to remove any plastic residue from the capsules.

Specifications

• Brand: CCI
• Product Line: Pest Control Handgun Shotshell
• Caliber: .40 S&W
• Shot Size: #9
• Shot Material: Lead
• Payload: 88 grains
• Velocity: 1250 fps
• Case: Aluminum, non-reloadable
• Quantity: 10 rounds
• CCI Item: CCI 3740
• UPC: 076683037404

Using a Handgun Shotshell Effectively

A handgun shotshell is a close-range tool. The fine pellets spread quickly, so this snake shot ammo is most effective within a few yards, which is where most encounters with venomous snakes and rodents happen. Patterns vary a great deal between guns, so test yours on paper at 3, 5 and 7 yards before relying on it.

Shotshells may not generate enough recoil to cycle every semi-automatic pistol, so plan on using them as single shots or in revolvers unless you have confirmed reliable function. Many owners keep the first round or two in the magazine or cylinder as shotshells, followed by standard ammunition.

Always wear eye protection, since small pellets can bounce off rocks and hard surfaces, and follow all federal, state and local laws.

Store this ammunition in a cool, dry place in its reusable box. Many owners keep a box in the truck, tackle box or backpack so it is always within reach during warm months when snakes are active.

Browse the MAG5 Firearms ammunition selection for more handgun loads, and visit CCI Ammunition for full product details.