Rat shot ammunition, also known as snake shot or shotshell, is a specialized cartridge loaded with tiny pellets instead of a single bullet. This ammunition is engineered exclusively for pest control at extremely close range, primarily targeting small rodents or snakes. While often considered a low-power option, the answer to whether rat shot can be lethal is definitively yes. The lethal potential hinges almost entirely on the distance between the muzzle and the target, determined by the physics of projectile energy and the concentration of the shot payload.
The Characteristics of Rat Shot Ammunition
This specialized ammunition replaces the solid projectile of standard cartridges with a small quantity of fine shot. The pellets are typically very small, often size #12 birdshot. The entire payload is relatively light, sometimes weighing only about 31 grains in common .22 Long Rifle versions. This small mass is contained either within a crimped brass casing or a plastic capsule that shatters upon exiting the barrel.
The cartridge is loaded with a low powder charge, resulting in a low muzzle velocity compared to a standard bullet. This low-energy design is intentional, meant to dispatch small pests without causing significant damage to structures like barn walls or sheds. The purpose of using numerous, tiny pellets is to create a wide shot pattern, which increases the probability of hitting a small, fast-moving target at close quarters. The rapid spread and low velocity, however, limit the ammunition’s effective range and penetrating power.
Penetration Potential and Lethal Range
The lethal potential of rat shot is governed by the inverse relationship between distance and kinetic energy. Beyond a very short span, generally 10 to 12 feet, the individual pellets rapidly lose their velocity and penetrating power due to air resistance. At these greater distances, the pellets spread widely, striking the target with insufficient energy to penetrate beyond the skin, resulting in superficial injuries and rendering the ammunition essentially harmless to a human.
The extreme danger occurs at “muzzle-point blank” range, or contact distance, where the physical properties of the load change entirely. At this range, the shot has not yet had the opportunity to spread, and the entire payload of fine pellets, along with the wadding or plastic capsule, strikes the target simultaneously. This concentrated mass of material functions momentarily as a single, dense, high-energy projectile. The concentrated impact delivers enough force to defeat the body’s natural defenses, including the skin and underlying bone structures.
When fired at contact range, the combined energy of the shot mass is sufficient to penetrate the eyes, throat, or the thin bone structures of the skull. Penetration into the chest or abdomen can rupture major blood vessels or damage vital organs. In this scenario, the ammunition achieves a lethal effect through the devastating blunt force and deep penetration of a concentrated, multi-projectiled mass, not the power of a single bullet. The physics of this close-range impact means that the shot bypasses its intended rapid-spread mechanism, creating a catastrophic wound.
Medical Consequences and Treatment
Injuries from rat shot, even when not immediately lethal, present unique medical challenges because the pellets, wadding, and other foreign debris introduced during the firing process are not sterile and can carry bacteria deep into the tissue. The presence of these retained fragments has been shown to significantly increase the risk of infection. Surgeons must administer aggressive antibiotic treatment immediately to manage the risk of deep-seated infection, which can be difficult to eradicate.
Surgical intervention to remove the embedded pellets is not always necessary, as the body can often isolate the foreign material by encapsulating it in scar tissue. However, removal is required if the pellet is lodged near a nerve, in a joint space, or if it is actively causing symptoms like pain or recurring infection. Pellets retained within a joint are problematic because the synovial fluid can slowly dissolve the lead, potentially leading to lead toxicity (plumbism) and long-term health complications.
The decision to remove a pellet balances the risk of leaving a foreign object versus the additional trauma and complications associated with surgery. For non-lethal injuries, the primary focus is to control bleeding, prevent infection, and assess for damage to vital structures like the eyes, where a direct hit can cause permanent blindness. Any person sustaining an injury from rat shot must seek immediate medical evaluation, even if the wounds appear superficial, to mitigate the serious risks of deep infection and long-term toxicity.