DoubleTap 44 Special SnakeShot – Proven #9 Shot Pest Control Ammo, 20 Rounds

Description

The DoubleTap 44 Special SnakeShot load turns a 44 Special revolver into a close-range pest control tool. Each cartridge carries a 170 grain payload of about 200 pieces of #9 shot stacked over a 70 grain hardcast solid, loaded in brass cases with boxer primers. The shot spreads into a tight, predictable pattern at short distances, while the hardcast slug adds penetration. Distributor data lists about 1,000 fps from a 4 inch barrel. Each box holds 20 rounds.

• How the SnakeShot Design Works
• DoubleTap 44 Special SnakeShot Specifications
• Field Notes and Safety Tips

How the SnakeShot Design Works

Traditional handgun shot shells use a plastic capsule that breaks apart in the rifling, and the spinning shot sprays outward in a wide, uneven ring. DoubleTap took a different approach. The #9 shot in this load does not take the rifling, so there is no centrifugal spread, and patterns stay tighter at the short distances where snakes and small pests are usually encountered.

Under the shot sits a 70 grain hardcast solid. While the pellets cover the target area, the hardcast follows behind and cuts a clean path. That pairing gives the round more effect than shot alone, which DoubleTap describes as a more dynamic result in the field, while recoil stays gentle.

The 44 Special case has room for a generous shot charge, and the 200-pellet payload gives this load good pattern density for a handgun shotshell. Gentle recoil also makes it pleasant to fire from lighter revolvers and easy to follow up quickly if a snake moves after the first shot.

DoubleTap ammunition is known for careful quality control. The DoubleTap 44 Special SnakeShot is meant to ride in the first chambers of a trail or ranch revolver, ready for a rattlesnake on the path or a rodent in the barn, with standard bullet loads behind it.

DoubleTap 44 Special SnakeShot Specifications

Before loading your cylinder, it helps to know exactly what is in the box. The list below summarizes the distributor data for this item.

• Brand: DoubleTap Ammunition
• Caliber: 44 Special (also fires in 44 Magnum revolvers)
• Payload: 170 grain total, about 200 pieces of #9 shot plus a 70 grain hardcast solid
• Velocity: about 1,000 fps from a 4 inch barrel
• Case: brass, boxer primed, reloadable
• Quantity: 20 rounds per box
• Manufacturer part number: 44SSS2
• UPC: 659465367403

Field Notes and Safety Tips

Pattern the load before you depend on it. Set a paper target at 3, 5, and 7 yards and fire one shot at each distance to see how the shot spreads from your barrel. Most snake encounters happen within a few yards, and knowing your effective range keeps you from taking shots the load cannot handle.

This 44 Special snake shot also runs in 44 Magnum revolvers, since the magnum chamber accepts the shorter case. Clean the chambers afterward so carbon from the shorter case does not make full-length magnum cartridges hard to load.

Mind your backstop. The hardcast slug can travel much farther than the shot, so treat every round like a bullet load. Avoid firing at rocks or concrete, where pellets and the slug can ricochet. DoubleTap shotshell loads are not intended for suppressor use.

Store spare boxes in a cool, dry place away from solvents and lubricants. A box in the truck, tackle bag, or barn kit keeps this round ready when you need it.

This load is a strong fit for hikers, ranchers, gardeners, and anglers who carry a 44 Special or 44 Magnum revolver in snake country. It also suits anyone who wants a gentle-recoiling pest control round for barns, sheds, and campsites. If you need a dependable 44 Special shot shell with an added hardcast punch, the DoubleTap 44 Special SnakeShot is a proven choice.

Carrying a 44 Magnum? Pair this round with the DoubleTap 44 Mag 240gr Colt Defense for the rest of the cylinder. More SnakeShot details are available from DoubleTap Ammunition.