english or irish shot snake

[45.70]

Hello all,

Im new to the muzzleloading shotguns and was curious about shot snakes.  I've been loading with my powder measure till now and have been thinking about getting a shot snake.  I was interested in some of your opions on the english and irish shot snakes.  Pro's and con's of each, I've never used either so any input is welcome.  Thanks, Garry

[Bigsmoke]

English - one hand operation, handy.  However it is tough to see exactly how much shot is in the measure.
Irish - takes two hands, one to hold the snake body, one to withdraw the measure.  Easy to see how much shot is in it.  Measure is prone to loss if not on a lanyard.
Personally, I prefer the Irish
Hope this helps.
John

[AZ Longrifle]

I use the Irish model too.
It's a little slower, but I'm used to working with it and I get 3 measurements with it.

[No Rod]

Irish model here too. I have been able to use it one handed all along... guess I didn't know i was doing it wrong! lol! Just poken a little fun Smoke.

Jon

[mark davidson]

Either one is bound to be better than the plastic coke bottle that I am using! :-)

[Kermit]

Another consideration is that the English has to be positioned over the muzzle to dump the shot down bore. The Irish scoop lets you move just the scoop over the muzzle.

I use the Irish. English might be useful with shorter barrels, but my smoothies have 44" and 46" barrels.

[Capt. Jas.]

They both can be like carrying a reloading machine around on your shoulders if using a shot belt.
If convenience is a factor then these should not be ruled out. I have also seen some modern forms of these as well. A pocketful of shot/powder chargers and a hank of tow/tin of wads makes for a nice day afield.

[Riley/MN]

James, you teased us with that picture before.... Are these items you have? Do you make them? Do you know where we can get them?

[Capt. Jas.]

Not a tease, more like a dream. I am going to make some of these but have not had the time to make anything for myself as of late.
They were also made in straight cylinder form as well.
I have used this method with adopted modern materials and find it very convenient. Very much akin to taking a pocket full of modern shells on a day hunt.
I believe Cabin Creek used to sell some but i cannot get their website to come up anymore.
I have documentation of them being ordered in America from England pre-rev.
I also believe these are partly the reason you do not see as many flasks and other paraphenalia in old sporting paintings as you would think to see.

[Gordon H.Kemp]

I built a shot "horn" that works realywell. When you use it for a while  , it becomes a 1 handed operation .  Dosn't hold the volume of a snake , but it holds enough for small game hunting .

[45.70]

Thanks for all the replies,  I'm looking at some dove hunting next year.  I've been using my powder charger to measure my shot, but it's alittle slow on a good hunt.  I was thinking a shot snake would be alittle faster.  Seems alot of you guy's like the Irish and Capt Jas I've never seen anything like the picture you showed us.  Remind's me of a modern speed loader.  I wasn't aware they made such things back then. " learned something today"  Think I'll get a Irish shot snake and look into some of those tubes also.

[Capt. Jas.]

Forgot to say that of the two heads I would choose the "Irish".  Who came up with those terms?

Riley/MN,  I guess this would be the "tease"  

[Riley/MN]

Wow, I guess!

I know if I saw one of them buggers I'd be able to make something similar....

[Kermit]

Okay. I'm stupid. I fail to understand the "mechanism." How do them there little lid thingies work?

[45.70]

I'm curious how those little things work as well.  Do you tap over one end and fill a charge, wad, and shot.  This might just be the cat's meow for a dove hunt.