which gun should you use to kill a snake?

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Seein' that snakes aren't bullet proof, any gun will do :D
Seriously -- most of the snakes I've killed have been w/ my mtn bike & w/ a 22 ;)
 
I recently asked the same question and it seems opinions vary greatly. I've been using a .22 pistol loaded with snake shot on copperheads and it works well.
 
.22 with snake shot or a .410--I've killed a few with a shovel though. Unless it is poisonous I generally leave it be. I may or may not have eliminated a rattler or two with a 12 Gauge when hunting.
 
I'm really not a fan of killing snakes as they're a handy part of the ecosystem (anything that eats insects/vermin is pretty dandy with me) I'm not a fan of having the poisonous ones around the house and have had to free them from this plane of existance with the lawnmower a few times. Though to be honest a .22 with ratshot/snakeshot should surfice unless you're facing something like an anaconda
 
Most of the snakes I've come across are pretty unintelligent. I use a garden hoe if I have to kill them, but why kill them? I can identify if it's poisonous or not. If it is a rattlesnake, copperhead, or moccasin you may need to kill it if it endangers you or yours, but just leave the other snakes alone. There are no coral snakes where I'm from.
 
Most of the snakes I see in south Georgia are poisonous. Lots of diamondback rattlers, timber rattlers, ground rattlers(or pigmy), cottonmouth, copperhead, and water moccasins. I have only killed 2 coral snakes though. I use whatever is handy sticks, hoes, rakes, any number of guns.

There is a trick to killing snakes with pistols using regular ammo. They are much harder to hit from the side (if they are not coiled up), you want to be in front of or behind them. Unless you know exactly where your gun hits up and down at extremely close ranges you will be off just enough to miss. However your if your sights are on you will not be off left or right. If you are in front or behind you can line up left right (windage) with your sights and if you shoot a little low or high it will not matter you will still take his head off every time.

I know it sounds crazy but, trust me try it for yourself. My friends and neighbors are amazed and impressed that I never miss but, really it's all about that little trick.
 
Smith and Wesson 638 with shotshells. Snake killer from hell!!:evil:




Jim
 

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Head Shot

Body shots on a snake with say a 22 pistol/rifle or a 9mm handgun do not stop them. It is much better to get a head shot. I'd personally rather use a shotgun with birdshot....they are just a little heavy to carry while hiking in the woods.
 
If you don't have a hoe (check the ghetto) and must use a firearm, I would go for a 12 gauge with bird shot. Yeah it would be messier than a 22, but it's a relatively sure thing.
 
Stick
Hoe
Shovel

None of the above are prone to ricochét

We just did a similar thread that was almost to the post a duplicate of this one. That's why we have a search feature
 
If you have to kill a snake use what you have at hand. But with few exceptions snakes will leave if you just wait a minute or so. The trick is to 1) try not to startle them, 2) stop as soon as you see it, and wait. If you come on them suddenly they coil in order to strike. So if they're not coiled, let them go.

The only exceptions that I know of are water moccasins and cottonmouths. Those are mean and will come after you if you mess with them. I'd kill them in a minute.

Concerning kids and loved ones, I agree with GojuBrian.
 
Garden hoe

Use the right tool for the job.

In general, you should leave snakes be.

If you have to kill em, don't bother with a gun (with the exception of shooting a snake that is swimming)

If these cops would have left the snake alone, or whacked at it with a hockey stick, garden rake, whatever, that kid would be alive.

Oklahoma Police Kill 5-Year Old Boy While Shooting at Snake

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292168,00.html

There is absolutely no reason to shoot a gun at most snakes.
 
Unless it's poisonous, or an immediate threat to you, a child, or significant other, why kill it? They are excellent resources to control rat and mice, not to mention other pests. Now, having said that, if you must kill it, then WHATEVER you have at the moment would be appropriate. I notice you mention something about a shotgun and a mess. Why the concern over the mess? If you're shooting it somewhere that a mess might be an issue, perhaps you shouldn't be shooting it at all anyway. Just a thought.
 
most of the snakes I see are poisonous. No I will never use a shovel again, could get strike and bit thats why I got a gun to shoot
Click to expand...

Rattlesnakes are the most common snake in my area, and I've killed them using everything from rocks, chains, shotguns, etc. However, a common garden hoe works as well as anything. I've killed my fair share, and have never once felt as though I was gonna get bit doing so. I HAVE used various guns at one time or another, but strictly because thats what I happened to have in hand/on my belt. Truthfully, snakes are easy enough to kill without ever needing a firearm. Truthfully in most circumstances, a firearm is definite overkill when dealing with snakes.....My dad has probably killed as many with his lariet while riding horseback than most people will ever kill with any method...just utilize whatever you have handy.
 
Any .38 revolver with shot shells. And IMO, if there's any doubt about the snake being poisonous, take it out. There's LOTS of snakes out there to eat the rodents and insects, there's no shortage of snakes. If it's obviously harmless, let it go, but if you don't know for sure......

And as far as killing them with things other than guns, that's all find and dandy, IF you have a hoe/shovel/chain/whatever in your hand already, AND you see the snake in time. My .38 snubbie fits in my pocket quite well, and if I'm surprised by a coiled rattler 12 inches from my foot, I'd prefer to have Lil' Roscoe with me.

I'm rarely in snake country, but there ARE rattlers near the trail where I walk our dogs. I need to get some snake loads.
 
So after killing one with a shotgun or Pistol, how do you locte the fangs and Venuim sack to bury it, I hope we all understand a dead snake can still pose proplems for kids and pets, its always wise to bury the head as deep as possible after killing it.

Just so everyone knows I lived in Rattlesnake area for many years, Killed many, all with a good old fashion Square Point Shovel.
I would collect the heads burn them in the burn barrel then bury them out back, on a side note Snake is good Eaten
 
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I don't generally kill snakes anymore, but back in the day I killed more than one with a Red Ryder BB gun.

People are funny 'bout snakes. My wife and I were riding our bicycles once, and came upon a fellow driving a dumpster truck. He had stopped in the middle of the road, with the door open, him half out of the truck, and was screaming SNAKE!! SNAKE!! I thought there was a snake in the cab. Turns out there was a snake on the road in front of him. Why he just couldn't drive on by I have no idea. He saw us and started yelling SNAKE!! at us. We rode on by and waved. He probably stayed there until the snake got bored and left on its own.
 
I killed a copper head with a bag of kitty litter once... Yes, I looked as silly as you think I did.
 
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