What's a good snake load?

   / What's a good snake load? #1  

gregfender

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2011
Messages
363
Location
Marion, NC
Tractor
Kubota L2501 HST
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...:D
 
   / What's a good snake load? #2  
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...:D
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.
 
   / What's a good snake load? #3  
I also like the 410 its light weight and will get the job done.:thumbsup:
 
   / What's a good snake load? #4  
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?
 
   / What's a good snake load? #5  
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)
 
   / What's a good snake load? #6  
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.
 
   / What's a good snake load? #7  
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.
 
   / What's a good snake load? #8  
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...:D

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.
 
   / What's a good snake load? #9  
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.
 
   / What's a good snake load? #10  
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
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2015 Ford Escape SUV (A50324)
2015 Ford Escape...
2017 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Crew Cab Pickup Truck (A50323)
2017 Chevrolet...
Caterpillar 60in Pallet Fork and Frame Attachment (A49461)
Caterpillar 60in...
2013 Chevrolet Malibu Sedan (A50324)
2013 Chevrolet...
RIGID 150 PSI AIR COMPRESSOR (A50854)
RIGID 150 PSI AIR...
2016 GENIE GTH1056 TELESCOPIC FORKLIFT (A51242)
2016 GENIE GTH1056...
 
Top