What is a good gun for snakes?

[MrMurphy]

Never found pistols loaded with snakeshot to be too accurate. Any shotgun with birdshot loaded, or a shovel.

 

[Heath]

375H&H it should kill every snake you come across if not run.

 

[Sam]

Having seen a man bitten by a "dead" rattler, I would advise you to back off with the shotgun to where you have a 4-6" pattern and shred the head.
Blowing a rattler in 2 parts leaves a very viable threat.
A smear cannot bite.

Sam

 

[goon]

I prefer most any shotgun. IMO, taking the snake's head off is the only way to be sure that it can't bite you. I have seen snakes strike after they are already dead.
I prefer the 12 gauge or the .410 because they are what I have. I have also used the 22LR shotshells to pretty good effect on them in my youth. Again, they were available.
So really, what ever gun is available. We were raised with a .22LR in the corner of the kitchen and a 12 gauge sitting propped up next to the door. Ammo for both was on top of the freezer. By the time I could reach it I was old enough to use it responsibly.

Teaching the kids to avoid snakes is a good idea but kids are kids. They will screw around with things they shouldn't and they will often ignore your instructions and advice. They just have to find out for themselves. They are kids.

I let snakes be in the woods but I kill them (along with any other dangerous animal) when I am around a populated area.

 

[bubbygator]

Worst scare I ever had was when I picked up a dead moccasin head by it's 2" stub & it twisted in my fingers to try to bite me.

 

[SnakeLover]

Since when did hillbilly's discover the internet

 

[mlaustin]

Taurus Judge...revolver chambered in .45 long colt and .410 shotshell. If your long gun is in your truck...it's not much help, and it's hardly practical to carry a shotgun around with you while you're working.

I have family in NH and they always carry the Judge loaded with some kind of shot (it escapes my memory) to handle snakes when they're out taking care of their land (250+ acres, 15 minutes from the nearest town). They have young children and even a non-poisonous snake, when stepped on, can/will still bite and injure a child. I love animals as much as the next guy, but if you're ever going to have children on your property...I won't lose sleep over dead snakes. If a poisonous snake bites a child or smaller adult in a rural area, might be too late by the time they get to the hospital.

The last time I was there, they had a Timber Rattlesnake skin curing...seeing that made me want to go home and get my shotgun to have with me!

 

[Blakenzy]

A shovel or a hoe is completely adequate too, if the person wielding it knows what they're doing.

Shovel, hoe or 6 foot pole are the no nonsense weapons of choice. Snakes are usually curled up somewhere when they are found and are easy targets. A WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! on the head is usually all it takes. If you feel that you absolutely HAVE to shoot one I think a shotgun with bird shot is the best.

 

[SnakeLover]

Since when is a snake "poisonous"

 

[krs]

Since when is a snake "poisonous"

As soon as they enter California.

Venomous snakes are OK because venoms can be beneficial, but snakes scare Californians so all venomous snakes in that state are classed as poisonous. Poisons are banned in California and so poisonous snakes can also be banned even while venomous snakes are not.

Life is very simple in California ...

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

Say NO to thread necromancy!