rattlesnake pistol

[timeout]

Taurus Makes the Judge 410-45! just what you need.

Joe Salt

This is the top dog for the job you have mentioned. I have a relative in AR. that uses the Taurus Judge and it is easy to carry and more than enough firepower for dispensing with reptiles.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I think the judge or governor is the way to go

 

[NealC]

I just use a 22 LR and shoot them in the head.

 

[itchyTF]

Anybody use these?
http://www.speer-bullets.com/products/components/empty_shot_capsules.aspx

 

[jds holler]

Anybody use these?
http://www.speer-bullets.com/products/components/empty_shot_capsules.aspx

Yup, I use those. Anyone who couldn't kill a snake with those, should oughta hang it up and stay inside.

I found that they hold a better group if you don't over charge with the powder. Keep the load down in the 6 or 8 hundred fps range. jd

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I use a long handled shovel.. The pointy kind. Sharpened.. A hoe works too.

 

[normmatzen]

Most of you aren't paying attention.
The first responder to this thread recommended the Judge with a .410 shell!

 

[Tnslim]

Any gun that will hold say around 150 rounds and have a barrel length of 10 feet or more would be fine for snakes, however my first step would be to move.......far, far away. Burn the house before leaving.

 

[Outrider27]

CCI .45 ACP shot rounds pattern very well and carry a good load. A plus is that they will cycle in some, including mine, firearms. The .22 rounds are great for Carpenter Bees and sure makes you feel good when you get them flying with a revolver! ;D

Glad to know I'm not the only one wing shooting carpenter bees - great sport with a 22 revolver and CCI shotshells..... ;D

 

[kmon]

Have killed rattlers, cotton mouths and copper heads with numerous pistols and ratshot. 22lr, 9mm, 38, 44 and 45ACP and a 410 Judge. inside 10 feet the 22 has never let me down and carry it more than all the others combined for snakes. Never have shot a rattler that was over 5 feet long with the 22 but have shot several that were in 50 inches plus with the 22 and ratshot and all were 1 shot kills.

 

[Travelor]

Use a 38 snubby for snakes

If you use the Speer shot capsules referenced above and #12 shot you will be amazed at the lethality of the combination. I tested this combination for patterning and found a shot barreled 38 works best. Using shot larger than #12 does not work nearly as well. Also use only a light load of powder ( I use 2 grains of Bullseye and the shot capsule filled with #12 weights 102 grains) - as faster only opens the pattern.

Over the years a close friend and I have used this combination with total success. The snakes do not writhe around on slither off, the just seem to take a deep breath and go limp.

Source for #12 shot: http://www.ballisticproducts.com/Chilled-Lead-Shot-12-13mm-10_bag/productinfo/02612/ or http://www.midwayusa.com/product/814885/bpi-lead-shot-12-10-lb-bag

Works every time and a bag of 12 shot will last a lifetime.

 

[savagedasher]

Their protected by law in Florida . So far my Truck and all my guns Don't know. :-X :-X :-X :-X Larry

 

[joshb]

The bigger boomers might help him with a Hog issue along with the snakes.

 

[Hopkins]

Over the years I have used both the CCI .38 and .22lr snakeshot cartridges with good results. I have killed dozens of cotton mouths with the .38 shot shells out of a 3" S&W 19. I prefer the .22lr shotshells inside the hen house for egg robbing black rat snakes. The .22 requires head shots and is lethal out to 7-8 feet out of a 4" High Standard revolver. The .22's report is much milder inside and the smaller shot is less likely to ricochet with as much ill effect at the .38 shotshell.

 

[jds holler]

And don't forget, snakes are nutritious. Back in these days, I'd eat any critter I could get my sights on. jd

 

[Cassidy]

Great feedback! I learned this morning that I cannot, it is illegal to, fire a firearm within the city here where we are moving to. A friend suggested I get a machete, which may not be one of my few options.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

And don't forget, snakes are nutritious. Back in these days, I'd eat any critter I could get my sights on. jd

Judging by your shirt ill concur- youll eat anything!!

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Get a nice pellet pistol or a hoe.

 

[timeout]

Great feedback! I learned this morning that I cannot, it is illegal to, fire a firearm within the city here where we are moving to. A friend suggested I get a machete, which may not be one of my few options.

Forget the machete. Here is what you need:
http://www.farmandfleet.com/products/834802-structron-ash-sidewalk-scraper.html

Sharpen both sides of the cutting edge! Keeps you well clear of the fangs while dispatching the snake!

 

[jds holler]

Rattlesnake threads are great forum entertainment. They rank right up there with the "How much is enough gun for bear" threads. You'll notice that on this forum, a lot of folks recommend the same gun for snakes that ya would use for bear. ;D

And Dusty, I'll have ya know that if you could just try my Mac n Cheese enhanced with Spam, well -- you'd want to wear the shirt too! jd