Varmint/Snake Weapon

[ShootingEnthusiatist]

As I was leaving for work yesterday, with my Glock 19 on my hip, I was accosted by what appeared to be a brown field mouse. The perp crossed me in my garage and had the nerve to hide underneath the utility sink! I tried to whack him with a shovel, but after realizing he was fast and not suicidal, I went inside the house to get the BB gun my step-son and I plink with. Went back to the garage, located the furry intruder, and managed to get one shot off that sent him scurrying. Feeling like the big man I closed the garage, jumped in my truck, and headed to work.

This incident got me to wondering if there was a small caliber weapon I could use on my property (1+ acres) without scaring the neighbors too bad. I live a few miles outside of town in a mostly rural area. I knew better than to blast the BG (or BM?) with my 9mil. The shovel worked fine on a rattlesnake but that damned mouse was quick!

What do you guys/gals think? Maybe a .22 with snake shot? Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[slow944]

Get yourself a nice single pump .177 or.22 pellet pistol or rifle. I've got a Daisy and I kill squirrels with it all the time.

 

[Waywardmonk]

You could try a Cold Steel Sjambok, good for varmints that slither, walk on four legs and two! fun for the whole family if you ask me.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I have a little Stevens #26 Crackshot made around 1915 that I keep loaded with ratshot for such problems.

 

[huntershooter]

.22 cal. CB caps are quieter than my RWS pellet rifle. Work well on rabbits/squirrels out to 20 yds.

 

[ShootingEnthusiatist]

Thanks for your ideas!

While I used to own a pellet gun as a youngster I really don't want to spend much on a 'toy' gun. The BB gun was < $20 and is fun when we can't go to the indoor range. The Sjambok looks like it could be a nice addition to my garage. As far as a varmint/snake gun, do you guys (Vern and hunter) recommend a pistol, rifle, or does it matter? Just thinking if I have a pistol I'd be more inclined to bring it to the range. Not opposed to a rifle just want some info on the matter. Thanks again.

 

[bakert]

Man, you were lucky that field mouse didn't charge, especially you only being armed with a Glock.
All kidding aside, my neighbor up the street uses the CB caps in a little single shot rifle to keep the chipmunk population down. Don't think his neighbors have any idea he's using it.

 

[xring44]

I have a colt frontier scout that I keep loaded with CCI rat shot for those occasions. But if its in the yard, a model 25 S&W in .45ACP with mild target loads, it does a serious number on "no shoulders"

 

[Boom-stick]

This is my varmint weapon, silent and deadly....

 

[Vern Humphrey]

As far as a varmint/snake gun, do you guys (Vern and hunter) recommend a pistol, rifle, or does it matter?

It doesn't really matter -- as I said, I use my old Stevens #26, which is a tiny little "boy's rifle."

One question should be, "How do you intend to use it?" I make shot cartridges for my .45 Colt -- a little Bullseye, two gas checks and all the shot the case will hold. This is fine for that big rattler you find on the trail -- but I wouldn't use it in the garage or basement. There the little CCI .22 shot caps are ideal.

 

[Malapai]

.22 cal. CB caps are quieter than my RWS pellet rifle. Work well on rabbits/squirrels out to 20 yds.

me 2

 

[Cueball]

something with shotshells in it will be easier to hit some of those faster offending creatures. My RWS air rifle works great on squirrels, but may drive me to drink before I could manage to hit a snake or mouse with it.

 

[Steve C]

Shooting mice and other vermin may be fun, and a pellet pistol or rifle in .177 or .22 is quite adequate to kill these buggers but realize this is fun only and not rodent control. If I don't want any mice $5 worth of D-con will get rid of them better than any gun.

 

[Peter M. Eick]

Word of advice...

If you are hunting a varmint.
And if that varmint is a skunk.
And you are close enough to hit it with a handgun

You probably should use a rifle instead.....