The Judge as hunting back up?

Myself I find the practice of carrying a mixed loading in one gun to not be particularly helpful. I personally find it is better just to have one load at a time in the gun or else it always seems like the wrong load comes up under the trigger when you actually want to use it. No time to switch from the "snake shot" load when a coyote briefly pops into view etc. Given that I dislike mixing loadings and am not terribly impressed with shotshells from a handgun in general for all but a handful of situations the Judge certainly wouldn't be my choice, but if you like it, then that is what matters. Not likely you are going to be attacked by a bear, hogs, or a "wildcat" anyway.

"good walking defence weapon in the bear,hog, wild cat, etc"


unless Florida rattlers have grown feet, I wouldn't think a "quick draw" would have any value for that, and 410 shotshells are pretty useless against black bear or south Georgia boars, no matter the shot size; best rely on your primary for that, unless it's just a small game gun, but if a backup revolver is carried, carry 45s in all chambers

me, I would just carry a 357 if I bothered carrying a extra gun at all, and wear snake chaps
hawgs and dawgs (of the feral flavor) not uncommon down here
but if carrying a centerfire rifle, you don't need "defense" backup; consider carrying a 22 kit revolver for other small stuff

I have pondered the idea of a judge for home defense because of its lack of penetration. Yes you read right, chosen for the LACK of penetration. My new home I am moving to shortly has my bedroom on the opposite end of the house as the other (kid's) rooms. I would feel better if I ever had to use a firearm inside that house knowing that it wouldn't bust through 3 walls and still be deadly. Of course my theory is somewhat like yours with the first 4 being some type of buck and the last being a 45 colt just in case.

For woods defense though I wouldn't really worry about over penetration so I would probably be packin my 357 with a shot shell or two in my pocket for the snakes.

The Judge would be a deffenent hell ya here in TX. I've been hunting way to many times and spook a lot of different critters on the trails and through the woods. I like the idea of having multiple choices in one configuration. This should be a great thread!

there is no shortage of centerfire "safety" slugs available in centerfire for anyone seriously worried about over penetration, and willing to make that big compromise (none of which has much to do with a woods walking gun anyway)

no gimmick gun required

and a defense gun is not for critters that you spook
it's for critters that spook you

(but if you run into blackie bear in the melon patch, you could maybe shoot a few melons for him, he probably likes melons for lunch better than he likes you anyway)

Are you thinking of opening up the cylinder and rotating to put the cartridge you want "next up" when trouble comes, or more just emptying the cylinder at whatever it is, assuming you'll eventually put the appropriate payload onto the target of opportunity?

I think, after many years of practicing with handguns, I'd rather have a handgun with me that was powerful enough to do the most critical task required, and that I could shoot accurately at any target I needed to shoot.

My chances of doing any critter in with a firearm -- except for a bird on the wing or a running very small game animal like a rabbit -- are not improved by choosing a shot load, so that wouldn't enter my calculations.

And, usually by the time I'm actually in danger from a venomous snake, shooting is probably not the right choice. They can't outrun me, and generally have no interest in doing so. If I've already stepped on him and/or he's latched onto me ... shooting at him might not produce the most positive result.

well said Sam,

in any defense situation, you best strive to make that 1st shot really, really count
no guarantee you will get two, much less five

with the horribly anemic shotgun performance from a Judge I would only carry it as a back up if hunting the vicious barn swallow. That is about the only thing that I would trust it to take out.



Hey, don't laugh...a charging barn swallow is a scary sight!!!

I'm watching this thread because I recently moved to a small rural place and am looking for a good compromise for carry.

As another posted, I don't feel comfortable carrying a mixed load either. I'd worry about rotating too slowly to the correct type of ammo or just getting it wrong. I also don't want to carry two firearms plus a big stick... but this seems like my best option. I'm thinking 9mm for feral dogs/hogs and a Judge for snakes... and the big stick. There are no bears in my area.

9mm is a fine choice
a garden hoe will do for the snakes; they really don't run all that fast
big stick purely optional, 9mm hits pretty hard all by itself

(and 9mm is pretty deadly on watermelons, too, no kidding)

but hawgs... depends on how big your pig.. a 300-350# wild boar is best avoided, unless you have a 30-30 and a pack of hawg dawgs on your side

and a Judge for snakes... and the big stick.

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Why not skip the Judge and count on the big stick to be better at moving, dissuading, or even killing the snakes -- if any actually NEED to be physically "handled."

I still have a difficult time picturing how the scenario unfolds where shooting the snake is really all that helpful a response.

(Aside from walking your own yard specifically looking to eradicate venemous snakes for the safety of your pets and kids. That's a bit different.)

oldfool said:

a garden hoe will do for the snakes; they really don't run all that fast

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Yeah, a garden hoe would work... and it's a heck of a lot cheaper than a Judge. The Judge would be funner though.

A rifled barrel puts way too much spin in the shot pattern for me to me to want own something like the Judge, as the shot pattern opens too much too soon. A smoothbore revolver would be great, except those are NFA weapons these days.

I grew up in Water Moccasin-infested bayou country, and Copperheads in the yard were not uncommon. I have done volunteer canine SAR work in more recent years, plus plenty of canoe/kayak outings. Guys, I am respectful and mindful of snakes, but not afraid of them to the extent that I base any firearm or ammo decisions on the snake factor. I will
use a "snake stick" some of the time, and no, it is NOT for whacking snakes.

I have used CCI shot loads for assassinating rodents at short range, in some conditions.

don't be laughing at G too hard now
I never took on a bunch of zombie barn swallows myself, but if you have never thrown leftover shrimp bait to seagulls on a Florida beach, don't forget your shooting glasses

because no shotgun, long or short, holds enough rounds to defend against that !

...except those are NFA weapons these days.

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These days? How the heck old are you? 1934 seems like yesterday?

thrown leftover shrimp bait to seagulls on a Florida beach

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that is suicidal!!!

how ever did you escape?

And don't tell me Taurus Judge...because I don't think a 410 out of a short rifled barrel would take out a crazed seagull.

(the pattern disperses worse than a blunderbuss)

spent too many years in Texas and south Georgia to ignore dangerous snakes
(mostly dangerous to the family pets and real little people that make our lives so worth living)
and being in-city, I am obliged to rely on the hoe and riding mower
but if I lived more rural, I would keep a legally short 410 single shot in a boot on the riding mower, loaded w/ #8s (not a Judge)

snakes do have their place, and I don't go looking for that place on purpose
(have respectfully walked AROUND more than one rattler when out and about, away from home, felt no need to use the gun)
but their place ain't in my space, how it is
they apparently have an extraordinary fondness for the watermelon patch, though.. good thing we don't have a watermelon patch, I guess

PS
narrowly escaped those gulls due to the clever tactic of running out of shrimp, they lose interest quick
fun, though, but not as much fun as hand feeding dolphins in St Andrews Bay, and the dolphins always smile and say thank you so much before they leave, when you run out of mackerel

I considered a Judge for a while when I was looking at buying my first defensive handgun, with the thought at the back of my head that I could pop Clays with it for fun. Besides, if you're considered skilled for shooting skeet with .410, Handgun .410 would be an even greater proof of skill.

The choke does not hold the shot pattern in a tight group, and the weapon itself exhibits poor penetration on cardboard at a few paces. The wider spread of shot opens you to liability when you spray the attacker, and anyone behind him with pellets.

My choice for a field/snake gun for my Brother in law's upcoming hog hunt is a Super Blackhawk, (or indeed any high durability revolver) and hand loading buck 'n ball.

I can't take credit for this method...Take a single empty cartridge, sharpen the edge and set it in the chuck of a drill, use the shell to cut cardstock. Place the circles of cardstock over your powder charge, top with birdshot and seal with a lead ball. Yes you will get some fouling, but this isn't supposed to be a load you put downrange all day long.

You'll have a single, heavy hitting projectile and a spray of shot adequate for unavoidable snakes and other mild threats.

I do admire folks who enjoy shooting clays with 410s, Dnaltrop
been too long since I did some of that myself, own a nice pump and an O/U in 410

SBH, fine choice for for mr piggie

Sam1911 said:

These days? How the heck old are you? 1934 seems like yesterday?

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Hmm, well, I guess that did make me "sound" old.

Well, my Dad was born in 1933. My father-in-law, who lives with us, was born in 1919. I reckon I just feel old.

These days? How the heck old are you? 1934 seems like yesterday?

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u have to understand...Sam is a 1911 expert because he used to hang out w John Moses and throw washers while drinking lemonade spiked with gin. John Moses called Sam "that weird old man"

Now that's funny! Sometimes I sure with that were true.

Im sorry but even the 410 slugs in it would be enough to do any damage to any spooks that may spook me or that i spook.

Now that's funny!

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Sometimes I am successful...though often not.