What's a good snake load?

[Topkicker]

I cut alot of wood while living in Missouri. I saw copperheads on a daily basis. I carried my S&W 357 for a while, but switched to a Moss 500 pump 12ga with a pistol grip. Best snake gun I've ever used. The two in the bottom pic was under a tree that I had already made several cuts in. The second one lost his head and several inches in one shot.

 

[k0ua]

I cut alot of wood while living in Missouri. I saw copperheads on a daily basis. I carried my S&W 357 for a while, but switched to a Moss 500 pump 12ga with a pistol grip. Best snake gun I've ever used. The two in the bottom pic was under a tree that I had already made several cuts in. The second one lost his head and several inches in one shot.

There you go, hard to beat an old Mossberg 500, for a tough inexpensive utility gun. I have several. Best medicine for anything that walks or slithers:laughing:

James K0UA

 

[crash325]

I don't shoot too many snakes in PA but once there was a big black snake high up in the trees I shot with my 410 10 Inch barrel T/C Contender and I never knew there was so much blood that could come raining down. Dropped immediately.
This makes and excellant tractor firearm but is only a single shot so make it count!

I don't kill any "friendly" snakes. But Rattlers aren't friendly and they are on my list.

NO.1 is a Square Point Shovel, 2 a garden hoe, 3 anything handy, rock, stick or ?? Haven't shot a snake since I was a kid.

 

[rtimgray]

What kind of snakes are you guys shooting that need more "stopping power" than a .22 can deliver? The comment about a .38/.357 shotshell backed up by hollow points just made me crack up.

Now, I realize that the higher caliber shotshell will carry more shot, thus making a better chance of a lethal first shot, and the same with 12 ga/410 shotgun, because then you don't have to be as accurate when dealing with you legless adversary. But the idea of needing to use a .357 hollowpoint or a .45 acp to kill a snake.....if it takes that kill a snake, it's gonna have to bite me in the backside, 'cause I'm running away.

I also realize that carrying a larger caliber is advantageous in case you need the firearm for dealing with a coyote/cougar/bobcat/felon/feral pig/terrorist/Rainbow Vacuum Salesman/skunk/opossum/etc., so I certainly respect that option. In that view, the revolver with shot followed by hollowpoints makes alot more sense.

And I also agree with a previous poster - I haven't shot (at) a snake in years - I usually just kill them with shovel/hoe/stick/rock/etc., including the copperheads that I found at the pond in the summer.

Good luck and take care.

 

[wvpolekat]

What kind of snakes are you guys shooting that need more "stopping power" than a .22 can deliver? The comment about a .38/.357 shotshell backed up by hollow points just made me crack up.

I think it is the fun factor. As long as they are being safe about it, no big deal. I think it would be a blast to chase a snake around with my AR-15. Sure, the 12ga would get it one shot, but not quite as much fun.

 

[ustmd]

And I also agree with a previous poster - I haven't shot (at) a snake in years - I usually just kill them with shovel/hoe/stick/rock/etc., including the copperheads that I found at the pond in the summer.

Good luck and take care.

My preference is the shovel as well. But at a certain point/size, using the shovel gets to be a bit risky. Strike range on a rattler is 75% of body length and 3-5 ft rattlers is not uncommon in my part of the country. Last year, the police did in a 6-7 ft one in a lady's back yard not 3 miles from me (google rattlesnake and Manor, TX to see pics and news story).

Last Sept, I had to use the single shot 410 on this guy (see pic) who was 10 ft from the front door. A great animal and hated to do him in, but 3 ft long and at the front door was too much.

 

[stravis]

All you need is a .45 ACP, a good eye, and a steady hand for almost any unwanted guest on you property

That's my philosophy as well.

 

[stravis]

What kind of snakes are you guys shooting that need more "stopping power" than a .22 can deliver? The comment about a .38/.357 shotshell backed up by hollow points just made me crack up.

Now, I realize that the higher caliber shotshell will carry more shot, thus making a better chance of a lethal first shot, and the same with 12 ga/410 shotgun, because then you don't have to be as accurate when dealing with you legless adversary. But the idea of needing to use a .357 hollowpoint or a .45 acp to kill a snake.....if it takes that kill a snake, it's gonna have to bite me in the backside, 'cause I'm running away.

I also realize that carrying a larger caliber is advantageous in case you need the firearm for dealing with a coyote/cougar/bobcat/felon/feral pig/terrorist/Rainbow Vacuum Salesman/skunk/opossum/etc., so I certainly respect that option. In that view, the revolver with shot followed by hollowpoints makes alot more sense.

And I also agree with a previous poster - I haven't shot (at) a snake in years - I usually just kill them with shovel/hoe/stick/rock/etc., including the copperheads that I found at the pond in the summer.

Good luck and take care.

If I already have a .45 on me, why go find a shovel, .22, hoe, stick, etc.? Shovels are hard to find a holster for.

 

[milkman]

I've found that a shovel, garden hoe, or a backer stick works really well, but usually because of the adrenaline, I break the backer stick.

 

[TripleR]

Dont want to turn this into a gun thread but... I have NEVER had any BAD luck with returning guns to the factory.. I have sent several back-from different Manufactures-- and all where really good on fixing the problem and fixing it right.. Ruger is the one that really fixed a vaquero I sent back and WOW it is really a good shooter now. I cant say that about to many other equipment manufactures..

AndyG

Nothing wrong with that.

Same general experiences here.

I sent a Walther PPK back and they sent me a new gun.

I sent a S&W 6906 back and it was quickly repaired.