Cci Big 4 Shotshell 38 Special Ammo 84 Grain Lead Shot 200 Rounds

About this product

CCI's Big 4 Pest Control shotshell is a specialty round built to turn a .38 Special or .357 Magnum revolver into a close-range pest and snake gun. Instead of a single bullet, each round is loaded with 84 grains of #4 lead shot in an aluminum case, giving a spreading pattern that's far more forgiving on small, fast-moving targets at close range than a conventional round-nose or hollow-point load.

What is shotshell ammunition, and how is it different from normal handgun ammo?

A shotshell round replaces the single projectile of standard handgun ammunition with a payload of small shot pellets, similar in concept to a shotgun shell but scaled down and shaped to feed and chamber like standard revolver ammunition. CCI's Big 4 line uses a coarser #4 shot than most rimfire or handgun shotshells, which the company markets specifically for pest control — the idea being that #4 shot throws a bit farther and hits a bit harder than the fine "dust" shot found in many snake-shot loads, better suited to larger nuisance animals at slightly longer distances.

What is this round actually good for?

It's a close-range tool, not a hunting or defensive round. Owners commonly load it in a revolver kept around a barn, garden, or campsite for dispatching snakes, rats, and similar pests at ranges of a few feet to a few yards, where the spreading shot pattern makes hitting a small, moving target far more forgiving than trying to place a single bullet. Because the shot pattern opens quickly, it loses effectiveness fast past very short range and should not be relied on as a defensive round against a person or larger animal.

Important note on the round count for this listing

This listing's title references "200 rounds," but CCI's own product listing for this exact SKU (3714CC) packages the Big 4 Pest Control shotshell in boxes of 10 rounds, and every retailer selling this identical CCI item lists it the same way. We believe the "200 rounds" figure in the original listing title was a data error rather than an accurate description of what ships, and we're flagging it here rather than repeating a number we can't confirm. If exact round count matters for your purchase, verify the packaging quantity with us before ordering.

What does the aluminum case mean for reloading or cleanup?

CCI uses an aluminum case for this load rather than the brass typically found in centerfire handgun ammunition. Aluminum cases are not reloadable, so this is a one-time-use round — fine for a pest-control tool that doesn't see the same volume as target ammo, but worth knowing if you're used to collecting brass for reloading after a range session.

As ammunition, this product ships directly to you rather than through an FFL dealer. Always check your local and state laws on ammunition purchase and possession before ordering, and store all ammunition securely and out of reach of children.

How does this compare to other .38/.357 shotshell options on the market?

CCI is one of the more established names in specialty rimfire and handgun shotshell ammunition, and the Big 4 line's larger #4 shot size is specifically positioned by the company as a step up from the finer "dust" shot used in many entry-level snake-shot loads, aimed at slightly larger pests and a bit more reach before the pattern opens too wide to be effective. Because shotshell loads are a niche product, availability can be inconsistent at brick-and-mortar stores, which is part of why buyers often source it online rather than expecting to find it on every retailer's shelf.