i was talking to another shooter here in town and he expressed that i should maybe be concerned about damaging my with shot loads. i need more input from some experienced shooters on this. will it hurt the barrel on my beloved model 27? thanks in advance.

THE 2ND AMENDMENT PROTECTS US ALL...........

No, shot loads will not hurt your revolver. Unless you load something like steel air rifle shot (BBs!) That said, you MIGHT pick up some leading, which can easily (?) be removed. And they might require a little extra scrubing on the chamber, to remove powder fouling - depending on the load,FWIW>>>>>>>>>>>>Bug

With the limited use they are intended for ( popping the occasional snake, etc. ) there is no problem.

tasco 74
Many years ago I played with making shot loads for my 45 Colt, I think George Nonte had written an article in Gun World magazine, that inspired me.
I used a bit of Unique, some stryofoam cup sides as press on wads, some plastic wrap as shot cup, number 8 or 7.5 shot and a hot glue gun.
Had a ball, shooting those loads into a creek to see the shot pattern. It was a donut.
I wouldn't think that this 'shot' round would have been very effective beyond 10-12 feet.
Jim

I agree with the general consensus here! I can't see how shooting shot loads could possibly do harm to your barrel!

I have used the Speer shot cups for years with no problems!

I have also seated a gas check on top of the powder, skirt down, then filled with shot and capped it off with another gas check, skirt down! I've used this method with .357mag and 44mag! They all work very well, but only at short distances!

Either he is ignorant about the topic, or is confusing the effect of steel shot on old shotgun barrels.

Shot loads cannot damage a modern revolver (assuming no overloads or stupidity).

George

Hey tasco, I wouldn't worry about it either. I have heard the same old "warning" from the uninformed for years. Like said above, lead shot only.

I bought a T/C Contender in '71 and it came with a .357 choke tube barrel. I shot hundreds of various shot loads through it, including those made up in a .357 case from cardboard wadding with no shot cup. I basically left the choke tube on and it was my hand-shotgun until later, when I got the .410 barrel for it.

When I got the new .410 barrel, I finally unscrewed the .357's choke tube and cleaned the bore. It was awful, and the rifling couldn't be seen at all. Powder, lead, plastic, mouse droppings, cobwebs . . . Once cleaned, accuracy was fine with handloaded .357 magnum ammo. The bore appeared ot be perfectlt normal. Then, when the .357 Maximum came out, I had the same barrel reamed to take the longer cartridge. I shot groups with the Max out to 100 yards and it shot extremely well, R-P factory loads going into 3-4". Still have it, still shoots OK. I would say that IF shot loads would damage the rifling, mine would have been ruined with the abuse.

I was interested in playing around with loading a shot load for my sig 220 but was worried about what shot would do to a rifled barrel.

but everyone seems to think its not an issue.
guess its time to pick up that book I saw with the "how-to" in it.

not that I plan on using it for anything but to play around with...

thanks for all the replies guys.. hot core all the guy said was "little hard on the barrel ain't it?" i only use lead shot and medium powder charges in speer shot capsules.all the shots i've done on possums were within 3ft to make sure enough of the shot gets to the vitals for a quick kill. i have day dreamed about shooting clays one time tho.

With a barrel over about 2 to 3" you can look forward to the "doughnut" effect. The shot takes on the spin of the rifling and, well, you can figure it out.

I use a 357 case loaded with a little bullseye, followed by a gas check or card wad, and as much # 9 or 12 shot as will fit. Top off with another gas check crimped on. I shoot it in a .38 Spl. 2" barreled, 2 barrel derringer.

Great for snakes at >10'. If they're farther away, I don't need to shoot them.

Shooting Trap with a pistol may be real fun, especially for the audience.

I use the Speer empty shot capsules to load my own. You can load them as long as will fit in the gun, then experiment with heavier charges of powder. Factory shotshell loads are very weak.