Snake shot....

[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.

[hunterjoe]

I’ve used .38 and a S&W Governor loaded with 410 #6. I now prefer the Tac-14. Don’t have to get as close!

[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.

[Travlin]

Good information, honestly I haven't thought about a 410 pistol. I would feel better with something like that for my wife until I know she's solid. I'm not sure how she will shoot when there is screaming going on. (She needs to lose her thing about snakes) I'll have to see what I can find.

Thanks guys. I just HATE having to buy gun stuff.

[SheepDog68]

Bond Arms out of Texas makes some 45/410s specially dedicated as snake medicine! I think anything they make with a 3.5” barrel or longer will take both 410 shell lengths.

SD

[M1A's r Best]

Ruger stainless speed six in .357 with a 2&3/4" barrel.

I load my own snake shells. CCI/Speer sells the shot capsules. Box of the capsules has some load data on papers in the box. Never had a capsule break seating it into the case or crimping it.

I like 7&1/2s for the shot. A lot less shot (thinner pattern) than the "dust" the factory stuff is loaded with, but man, it goes clean through top to bottom. Only time I've killed copperheads I happened to be damn near within arm's reach of them when I saw them. Only killed two but bother were one shot kills. One never even twitched while the other did some twisting before it was still.

[Papa]

Ruger stainless speed six in .357 with a 2 3/4" barrel.

I load my own snake shells. CCI/Speer sells the shot capsules. Box of the capsules has some load data on papers in the box. Never had a capsule break seating it into the case or crimping it.

I like 7 1/2s for the shot. A lot less shot (thinner pattern) than the "dust" the factory stuff is loaded with, but man, it goes clean through top to bottom. Only time I've killed copperheads I happened to be damn near within arm's reach of them when I saw them. Only killed two but both were one shot kills. One never even twitched while the other did some twisting before it was still.

speed.jpg

'Cause I like pictures, and the classic lines of the item in particular.

No poisonous snakes this side of the mountains. I keep a few ancient CCI snake loads for when I head east, and a similar Ruger with an OEM spurless hammer to shoot 'em out of.

[Eldora]

I wear a Taurus 4" stainless .22LR when out and about here on the farm. I use the CCI shot and never had a problem dispatching a snake of any size. Of course, the average range is 5-10 feet. I've used the .38 stuff in my Ruger GP100, too, but it's heavier than the little Taurus.

[M1A's r Best]

Sorry, should have posted the picture of my Speed Six. Sure which Ruger hadn't stop making them. If you've never torn one down - completely - you would be amazed at how quick and easy you can pull the guts out of the frame, clean it up, lube and reinstall all those parts.

Here it is. Purchased in about 1982/83 and then I removed the spur so I could carry it as a back up in my right duty coat pocket with the two speed loaders in my left duty coat pocket. Also carried it every time I went fishing due to the number of copperheads/rattlesnakes along those rocky/brushy banks of the New and Gauley Rivers. Never killed a snake with it while fishing. Also carried it while groundhog hunting as I like to sneak up on them and that meant crawling through the weeds/brush along the fence lines, creeks, woods edge around the fields. Figured if I ran across a snake it would be close up when I saw it and that's the way it happened.