Snake shot?

[Raptor1956]

Boy I don't think I'd want to risk messing up the rifling with shot. Maybe it's not a problem but I'm not going to risk it...


Brian

[jar0023]

CCI shotshells cycle fine in my XD-40. I can't imagine lead shot would harm the barrel. Might leave some fouling, but that could be cleaned.

J

[Brickboy240]

The CCI shotshells are a mixed bag. The 38/357 one...well...you will have to get close for them to be effective. You will also have to shoot twice if the snake is big because the 38 shells don't carry alot of shot or power. I had similar expereince with the 9mm shells a few times.

The 45 shotshells seem to take out snakes a bit better than the smaller calibers. I used the 45ACP ones in my Springer GI once on a cottonmouth and shredded him pretty good. Anohter note: some autos will cycle with the shells...some won't. My GI cycled fine with the 3-4 shotshell I ran through it but my Colt Combat Commander did not like them. I incapacitated a few rattlesnakes in a hurry with the 45 shotshells!

The 9mms shells ran fine out of my old Glock 17 and the Hi-Power, but my old Ruger P85 did not like them at all. My brother's Beretta PX4 did not like then either. Again...try them...they might cycle...they might not.

I think the larger caliber shotshells have some uses, but stay away from the 40, 9mm and 38 ones...they're very iffy, unless you're very close and the snake is not very big. The 45 and 44 mag ones work best - more shot and bigger shot, too.

If you can, I'd switch to a 410 or 20 gauge with #4 shot - its a better snake stopper.

- Brickboy240

[TFordyce]

From reading the replys..which I thank all of you....I will be dragging the 12 guage out fishing with me. The snake I saw yesterday was about 4 foot long, and about 4 to 5 inches in circumference. Don't think I want to piss him off with the 22 or the 9 not to cycle.

Don't like snakes to start with, and everything I have read states that the water moccasin is a very aggressive snake. Found out that there was one in the front yard within several feet of my wifes vehicle. Need to get these things weeded out.

[Bucc5207]

Originally Posted by bruce21b

wont hurt the barrel at all......Taurus just came out with the "judge", a pistol combo that shoots .410 shotshell and 45 colt, IIRC?......i shot some .38 shotshells out of a revolver several years back with no ill effects

Also check the Thunder 5 - it was the .45-70 revolver G Clooney used in 'Three Kings.'

[WyoXD]

Grew up in rattlesnake country and used 38spl, 22mag, and 22 long rifle a lot. Never have had any problems except that 22 long rifle bird shot is NOT very effective.

[Brush-Wolf-Lady]

Ok I am totally pissed at the poultry coup barn rats! I have trapped about 22 of them now, but I can never get the grandma and grandpa, and there's others running about still too. Every night after I close the doors, the 2 big ones slip up through this hole they chewed and are visible just under the door, peaking their heads out a few seconds before climbing up into the hole. They also run around on a shelf inside the other coop and in both cases are not by any of the birds. Last night I could have nailed one easily if I had rat shot for my XD's.

Soooo, I want to know more about these birdshot rounds. Will they work better with the .40 than the 9mm? How close do I need to be minimum? The shelf running activity allows very close shooting like 3 feet, the hole in the doorway I need to stand back about 5 yds, unless I set up a blind LOL.

How loud is this stuff? What size shot is it and how many pellets?

Hopefully the local gun store has these and not cost a mint.

[one-eyed-fatman]

Originally Posted by Brush-Wolf-Lady

Ok I am totally pissed at the poultry coup barn rats! I have trapped about 22 of them now, but I can never get the grandma and grandpa, and there's others running about still too. Every night after I close the doors, the 2 big ones slip up through this hole they chewed and are visible just under the door, peaking their heads out a few seconds before climbing up into the hole. They also run around on a shelf inside the other coop and in both cases are not by any of the birds. Last night I could have nailed one easily if I had rat shot for my XD's.

Soooo, I want to know more about these birdshot rounds. Will they work better with the .40 than the 9mm? How close do I need to be minimum? The shelf running activity allows very close shooting like 3 feet, the hole in the doorway I need to stand back about 5 yds, unless I set up a blind LOL.

How loud is this stuff? What size shot is it and how many pellets?

Hopefully the local gun store has these and not cost a mint.

You might be better off using some rat poison.

[WyoXD]

Originally Posted by Brush-Wolf-Lady

Ok I am totally pissed at the poultry coup barn rats! I have trapped about 22 of them now, but I can never get the grandma and grandpa, and there's others running about still too. Every night after I close the doors, the 2 big ones slip up through this hole they chewed and are visible just under the door, peaking their heads out a few seconds before climbing up into the hole. They also run around on a shelf inside the other coop and in both cases are not by any of the birds. Last night I could have nailed one easily if I had rat shot for my XD's.

Soooo, I want to know more about these birdshot rounds. Will they work better with the .40 than the 9mm? How close do I need to be minimum? The shelf running activity allows very close shooting like 3 feet, the hole in the doorway I need to stand back about 5 yds, unless I set up a blind LOL.

How loud is this stuff? What size shot is it and how many pellets?

Hopefully the local gun store has these and not cost a mint.

Gamo Air rifle might be a good option

[justgotback]

When dealing with those poisonous snakes, I'd feel better using a shotgun! I have a 410 pump that is perfect for killing snakes....