Rat-shot (or
snake shot) is very small
lead shot (typically #12 – 1.3 mm (0.05")) loaded in
cartridges for use in
rifled firearms as opposed to more traditional
smoothbores such as
shotguns. Rat-shot cartridges allow one to use a
handgun or
rifle as a low power
shotgun for short-range use. Cartridges loaded with rat-shot are often called
shotshells. The most common cartridges loaded with rat-shot are the
.22 Long Rifle and certain
pistol or
revolver cartridges. Shotshell cartridges known to be available for hand guns include:
.22LR,
.22 Magnum,
.38 Special,
9mm Luger,
.40 Smith & Wesson,
.44 Special,
.45 ACP and
.45 Colt. The CCI .22 LR shotshell holds 1/15 ounce of #12 shot; the CCI .45 Colt shotshell holds 1/3 ounce of #9 shot. The smaller shot size typical of .22 shotshells is sometimes called "dust shot" and is used mainly by collectors of bird specimens.