What's a good snake load?

[gregfender]

I am going to start clearing a few acres this spring...mostly scrub pine on a hill that was pasture 30 years ago. I am hoping not to encounter too many legless creatures, however, the occasional rattler and copperhead have been spotted.

What kinds of snake loads do you guys carry? I prefer to avoid any close combat...

 

[Reverendbiker]

I am going to start clearing a few acres this spring...mostly scrub pine on a hill that was pasture 30 years ago. I am hoping not to encounter too many legless creatures, however, the occasional rattler and copperhead have been spotted.

What kinds of snake loads do you guys carry? I prefer to avoid any close combat...

It's hard to beat the Taurus Judge revolver--shoots .410 shells and .45 long colt. I load them alternately and use the shotshells for rattlers and the .45 for taking the occasional whack at a feral hog. Easy to carry, but deadly.

 

[jlsmith]

I also like the 410 its light weight and will get the job done.:thumbsup:

 

[gwdixon]

A lot depends on what kind of firearm you have on hand. Snake loads are made (or can be made) for anything from .22 to the .410 mentioned.

I like a shotshell in a .38/.357 followed by hollow points. My friend uses his .44 mag in the same way.

What do you have?

 

[trook]

If you are on your tractor, I would imagine that a shotgun will be a little difficult to carry. Therefore, like the last poster, I would recommend shotshells for your pistol. The Judge would be perfect, but you must own one first.

I also prefer the 38/357 shells if you have a 38/357. If not, they also make them in 22, 9mm and 45. I'm not sure, but they may also make them in 40.

They also work WONDERFULLY on snakes from 10-15 feet (if larger than the 22)

 

[TripleR]

We have rattlers and copperheads on our farms, but unless they are in our yard, we leave them alone. My wife killed a big one in our back yard with a Sig 220 in .45 ACP with regular rounds. I have tried the different shot loads, but prefer a regular round. Over the years, I have shot them with a .38 or .40 or whatever I had on me. Like I said, if they are not an imminent threat, I leave them alone, so I haven't shot a lot of them.

The best gun/ammo is the one which you can use effectively.

 

[stravis]

Whatever I have on me. Typically a .45. Sometimes I use the tractor itself. Ideally, I'd use a 12 gauge, but that's harder to carry on the tractor than the .45.

I killed nine snakes in my first year on my property. Seven were killed with my .45. One with the tractor bucket and another by a friend with his .38. Out of the seven I killed with my .45, I killed six with one shot to the head. The last one took eleven rounds. I have no idea what I was doing wrong that day, but I was trying to hit a cotton mouth at about 10 yards while it was moving (after the first shot). I finally got it, but it took every round I had on me.

 

[ruralruss]

I am going to start clearing a few acres this spring...mostly scrub pine on a hill that was pasture 30 years ago. I am hoping not to encounter too many legless creatures, however, the occasional rattler and copperhead have been spotted.

What kinds of snake loads do you guys carry? I prefer to avoid any close combat...

When a rattler isn't behaving on our property I shoot them in the head with my trusty Daisy air rifle (I can hear the laughter from here). The last was around 6 foot long. Don't forget tho cut there head off and bury it.

 

[Baby Grand]

When a rattler isn't behaving on our property I shoot them in the head with my trusty Daisy air rifle (I can hear the laughter from here). The last was around 6 foot long. Don't forget tho cut there head off and bury it.

No laughing here. My charming valentine plinked a coyote with our Daisy pellet. She got him in the rear at about 40 - 50 yds. Haven't seen him since.

 

[Jay4200]

Therefore, like the last poster, I would recommend shotshells for your pistol. The Judge would be perfect, but you must own one first.

I agree, except that I've examined a Judge that a friend owns, and I'd never buy one. Extremely shoddy workmanship (no offense to anyone who has a good one) - cylinder out of square and rubbing on barrel, etc.

I also prefer the 38/357 shells if you have a 38/357. If not, they also make them in 22, 9mm and 45. I'm not sure, but they may also make them in 40.

I'd go this route if you want a shotshell. Slazenger (or something like that - I think) makes 12-shot filled pistol rounds. Personally, I'd carry a .45, but probably just shoot regular rounds. I could easily make a head-shot at 20 feet.

JayC