What's your favorite, real life snake gun?...the one you take while hiking, camping, canoeing?

[justapilgrim]

So, what do you pack/carry while in the woods in the summer in case you need to dispatch an unwanted belly crawler (not to be confused with a lib-o-crat.)
And, what's it loaded with? Been thinking about a Taurus Judge or Defender, but just don't get the warm fuzzies for some reason.

 

[Duckyou]

I prefer a stick.

 

[Midnight son]

A .38 J frame or Colt New Service .45 for light/heavy duty. Both are loaded with #9 shotshells I load myself with Speer empty capsules and W231. Hard cast in the last two cylinders.

 

[alm3kids]

Ruger Mark II, it's lite very accurate and just fun to shoot.

 

[zombiekiller]

I had a Judge for a while that I thought I needed to carry for snakes at our property up in Alabama, but I never once used it, and actually found a little Walther P22 to be pretty darn effective.


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[Bay Ranger]

Right now a .38/357 with regular .38. Tha's only because I can't find rat shot anywhere!

 

[wildrider666]

There's the people who will only dispatch a snake that poses a threat or blocks movement and those that want to kill all they see. So engagement distance may play a roll too. Being on horseback or unleashed dogs need to ge considered.

A lot depends on "your" shooting accuracy and speed, a .22LR cartridge can do the job just fine. When viewed as a "being quick or bit" proposition, many people defer to something that will "pattern shot" instead of single projectiles.

Handgun caliber shot shells allow a margin of accuracy error which can help offset being rushed by necessity; increased distance hurt pattern (rifling already increases to the spread) and potential incapacitation ability. If your POA is perfect, it's still a 5 to 7 feet distance limit for favorable odds it will dispatch the snake. Actual "shot" size varies by cartridge since its normally very small, carrying limited energy: it's the collective impacts that routinely get the job done. Larger calibers provide more/larger shot and terminal energy on target. A PDX-1 cartridge may be suitable and its a defensive round too but does require better POA.

The.410 shell is much better than handgun caliber snake shot, no contest there. On the economy side a Cobray/Leinad side by side double 45LC/.410. Bond Arms derringer with same ammo also effective but then your getting into 45LC/.410 revolver money (pre craziness prices). Recoil of the .410 and small grip frames can be stout.

YMMV

 

[FrankT]

a stick and knife if I have to kill it, guns are not allowed in many hiking areas

 

[fl57caveman]

either a heritage rough rider with rat shot, a 5' staff (if i am walking) or a machete

 

[seminole1]

A .410 Super Comanche single shot pistol with bird shot does the trick.

 

[Rebel_Rider1969]

Whatever is handy! RR with crimped rat shot, poly judge #9, snake charmer 20ga 7.5. This one, KT PF9 9mm.

 

[Bodhi]

Typically my 640 all steel 38 loaded with snake shot and wad cutters. I prefer the steel framed Js as I tend to shoot my J frame more than most people do. Now if I were to expect 2-legged vermin I’d carry the G22.

 

[MauserLarry]

.410 snake charmer where it’s OK to do so

 

[44Ruger]

Garden hoe (per my 82 year old neighbor).

 

[5lima30ret]

These water moccasins were killed with a .22 Crossman CO-2 model 2240. This is legal in the city limits were I reside. I would rather use a .22 mag w/ rat shot though. But a .22 air pistol/rifle is plenty for head shots!

 

[G-rat]

my S&W 317 Airlight. all aluminum with 3"bbl. 2 rounds of cci shot and 6 of cci mini-mag 36gr hollows. weighs only a touch over 11oz loaded. one of my all time favs!

 

[Raven]

I prefer a stick.

I've killed dozens of snakes, only two were shot, with a J-frame 38 Spl. I buttstroked one to death, though, so I guess you could count that one as number 3

 

[Raven]

I prefer a stick.

Land surveying we always had machetes and shovels. Canoeing, I have machete or a paddle already in the hand. One day I killed 3 moccasins inside of like an hour, on the Chipola River... I just quit getting out of the boat that day

 

[FrommerStop]

I used to use implements, but there are rare scenarios where water moccasins have advanced toward people, especially if they were molested. Never happened to me, but has to at least three people that I know and trust as reliable. If the snake is moving bird shot is preferred and I use a small frame cheapo .38. In fact it is in my pocket I type this.
sometime the snake is in an area that is difficult to get at with a club or garden tool. A shot cartridge will often get through. I remember chasing one water moccasin with my tractor. when It finally stopped, I got off and shot it. Once from a distance and closed the distance and shot it again. Then got right on top of it to really do a number on its head.

 

[Norm]

My little Buckmark