My solution for western rattlers is a Ruger LCR-X (3" barrel) and handloaded shotshells with 8 1/2 or 9 shot. I patterned several different size shot at 7yds. and these worked best in my pistol with a high pellet count on target. Pistol is light and has better sights than most pocket revolvers. Also has 5 shot capability. For gators, hogs, pythons, etc - use a much bigger gun !
Advice on small snake gun
- Thread starter Delicatessen
- Start date
Help Support Long Range Hunting Forum
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
I live is south Texas where all sorts of vermin are present and you never know what you will encounter.
Most pistols are to powerful and also heavy to carry all day, so I went with a high capacity 22 Mag with a polymer frame. and it realy works.
I have killed Squirrels to hogs with it and never found my self wanting for more. It has plenty of power for gators, coyotes, foxes, bob cats,
and everything else we find that needs to be dispatched.
I tried the 22 LR and found it lacking in some cases. so I up the game to a 22 Mag. The one I like is the Keltec PMR 30 Because it will hold 31 rounds and is very lite.
Like any other firearm you have to watch your backstop and for ricochets on water.
J E CUSTOM
Most pistols are to powerful and also heavy to carry all day, so I went with a high capacity 22 Mag with a polymer frame. and it realy works.
I have killed Squirrels to hogs with it and never found my self wanting for more. It has plenty of power for gators, coyotes, foxes, bob cats,
and everything else we find that needs to be dispatched.
I tried the 22 LR and found it lacking in some cases. so I up the game to a 22 Mag. The one I like is the Keltec PMR 30 Because it will hold 31 rounds and is very lite.
Like any other firearm you have to watch your backstop and for ricochets on water.
J E CUSTOM
Delicatessen
Active Member
To clarify again, I am really just looking for a small or pocketable snake gun. I regularly carry a pocket 380 as a backup so I would just swap that. The other gun would stay it depends on need but normally a 239 or if concealment not an issue a 229. This is why I was asking about small snake shot derringers. It seems the one person with experience said they were next to useless so I may go lcr or j frame and just deal with relatively quick spread (or just find a really small 45 like XD-S for snake shot 45)
Mcarso1
Well-Known Member
Have you run any of the 22mag shot shells through it? I just bought a pmr30 and it is a fun gun to have, looking to try some type of shot shell in it for first couple rounds , snakes and such around yard as well?
Wild Monkey
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2017
- Messages
- 427
I'd say he's got the perfect spot to open a Cajun Restaurant!
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
No I haven't Because I live in town and discharging a firearm is frowned on. but I would be interested to find out how it did.
I use a cordless weed eater in my yard, and it makes quick work of snakes and my aim is not as important, and No reloading is required.
J E CUSTOM
My EDC is a S&W642, I have shot the CCI .38 special Rat Shot. I've shot some fairly large water snakes with it while building a bridge for a friend; it worked fairly well for me. I must say that if I were looking at rattlesnake artillery it would be a Rem 870 with bird shot; I "DON"T" like snakes at all!! At 14 ounces for me this S&W is a formidable weapon to beat. I also have a S&W 340 PD, however have not had time to take it to the range. I know that the revolver is "old school", so am I
. I have a gun that I am "going to carry", not the biggest gun in the arsenal. It fits nicely in the pocket, and really do not know it is there. utube has a couple of videos on the CCI Rat shot. Just something you might want to take a look at.
Pmacc60
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2013
- Messages
- 591
I carried a S&W 357 mag with CCI shotshells that caused many a snakes demise. Maryland has gotten so bad I don't carry hand guns anymore but we don't have gators , hogs or many venomous snakes thank god for that at least. Only snakes of concern is the politicians and you can't shoot them.... I'm not sure why ?
Last edited:
Peddler 76
Well-Known Member
Old, very old S&W 60 with shotshells.
AmericanRWB
Active Member
Judge it.
oldfortyfiveauto
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2011
- Messages
- 407
Nicely made, but kick like a mule and very hard to hit anything.
just country
Well-Known Member
morning, this will draw some hoots. I live in TX. snakes r always on a
persons mine if u r an outdoors person. I carry a 6' staff and bear
spray when walking my dog in snake areas. I have used the staff
and spray to dispatch vermin. I do carry a S&W 22 semi auto
for coyotes. do not use snake shot, never had to use. the areas
I walk in r rural areas. justme gbot tum.
persons mine if u r an outdoors person. I carry a 6' staff and bear
spray when walking my dog in snake areas. I have used the staff
and spray to dispatch vermin. I do carry a S&W 22 semi auto
for coyotes. do not use snake shot, never had to use. the areas
I walk in r rural areas. justme gbot tum.
