What Charley said! The plastic capsule will not open up until it exits the barrel. I don't see how itcould harm the porting at all. I used to use them all the time in my Ruger 357 mag while crawfishing down in Louisiana. We handloaded our own with #6 or #8 shot. Wasn't unusual at all to shoot 10 - 15 snakes a day when running the crawfish nets. Very effective on the no legs slick bellies.

Where is "lehigh valley"? Just wondering where you live that you feel the need to carry bear protection.

Edit: PS: Once you get some shot shells, you can really impress your friends with your prowess with a handgun by taking a ping-pong ball, tossing it in the air and shooting it 2 or 3 times while still in the air. Guaranteed to generate some slack jawed wonderment!!!....LOL

firstshot
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Make your first shot count!