Snake shot....

[Travlin]

I was torn where to ask this but this seems just right.

We will be signing on some wooded foothill property in the southern mountains. I understand from my agent "the copperheads have a real attitude problem", and then there are the rattlers. I am hoping to be moved by the snow up here next fall, so I will be in the brush all summer.

I think snake shot might be in order. Across the years I remember several discussions on this but I couldn't find anything. What are you guys using, .38 would work but I seem to remember someone was running some in a glock?

What are you guys running? I need to set up a couple of backyard guns.

[Gabriel Suarez]

Tac-14

[Travlin]

Tac-14

Yes.

I'm waiting for the new ones, if you haven't popped smoke you will get it.

[barnetmill]

Yes.

I'm waiting for the new ones, if you haven't popped smoke you will get it.

What you use, it should instantly be at hand. A tac-14 12 ga will neutralize for sure any snake and would be good gun for tractor. When on foot, my hands are very apt to be occupied with chain saw, ax, or maybe i am using a push mower to get to get places my bush hog will not get into. If you see a snake you want to draw and kill it right there on the spot, because it if gets away, no telling when it turns up again.
A dangerous snake is not a joke in heavy cover. Some years ago there was discussion here and someone with emergency room experience on pit viper bites spoke of the cost of treating a water moccasin bite, it was sobering.
Probably an ideal snake gun might be an old charter arms 5 shot 44 spl. Holds more than a .38. Perhaps some of the derringers might do the trick. Some people that I know really likr .22 magnum shot loads
I use to to beat snakes with a club-implement or chop with a machete/bush ax. While rare it is water moccasins have been known to attack. Especially if they get pissed off and even chase their tormentors.
I approach with hand gun and note the demeanor of the snake. Normally if they coiled, they are perfect for shot rounds. At a distance aim at the head and the pattern will hit the body also. At a distance I am not sure what sort of penetration I am getting on them since they have thick and touch skin. But eventually get close and make sure the head gets macerated.
I remember one snake that one of the dogs discovered. She jumped immediately out of the way. Snake when seeing a 4-legged critter often will stand literally on their tail and face the dog or fox down. I only had my on me 9 then and shot it right through its gaping mouth and also severed the head. The snake did not even twitch after that damage and was stone dead without any reflex.

[SheepDog68]

I grew up in a snake heavy part of the country. Most of the time spent as a child in the woods and swamp was with a stick and a machete which is a very low key way to sort out snakes. Later I’d be on the tractor with a 12 gauge across my lap so yeah I’ve shot snakes, but mostly have sent them on with a shovel or a walking stick oh and once with a fishing pole!
They make several handguns that do the 410 shells and I might consider that if I wanted to shoot them and didn’t want a regular shotgun.

Oh some reloaders make up their own in some of the common large revolver options, but I haven’t been around that in years and would have to research it!

SD

[Bill Bond]

I use a S&W .22 revolver with CCI snake shot for rattlesnakes.
Just to be sure I always double tap them.

[barnetmill]

I grew up in a snake heavy part of the country. Most of the time spent as a child in the woods and swamp was with a stick and a machete which is a very low key way to sort out snakes. Later I’d be on the tractor with a 12 gauge across my lap so yeah I’ve shot snakes, but mostly have sent them on with a shovel or a walking stick oh and once with a fishing pole!
They make several handguns that do the 410 shells and I might consider that if I wanted to shoot them and didn’t want a regular shotgun.

Oh some reloaders make up their own in some of the common large revolver options, but I haven’t been around that in years and would have to research it!

SD

There are 44 shot loads out and one can also buy those shot capsules reloading and do some handloading, but the .38 does the job, I often shoot it 2-3 times to be sure. If I know that i was entering an area with multiple snakes, and if i do not want to pack a shotgun, than a .44 or .45 caliber pistol might be the ticket.

[charliemike1]

I have a little J frame 357. 38 snake shot does the trick 100% within 3yds on copperheads, I don't know about larger snakes. If you can hit a quarter at 5 you shouldn't need any special ammo. I use my G23 just fine on copperheads.

[Ragsbo]

Here is what I have experienced with shotshells. 22 are just about worthless. Tried to shoot rats with them and the rats laughed! Used 38/357 shotshells and had to get close to them. They usually won't cycle a semi auto.

[BigEd63]

I don't have much faith anymore in CCI Shot Shells. At least not in a real short barrel like my 442.
Damn capsule didn't fragment at all and punched a hole through one side of an interior door, after bouncing up from the floor. Field mouse in house and the freaking thing pissed me off.

So I agree on the TAC-14 or similar.

I'd also ponder the S&W Governor or yes I'll say it Taurus Judge- Solely as a snake schwacker and nothing else.

I've considered, when they were cheap and plentiful, a NEF/H&R single shot and getting a pistol grip and form 1'ing it into a 20ga or 12ga snake pistol. Although I've never been happy about a single shot for defense from any sort of snake; no legs or two.