NAA stopping power

nctoni · May-05-19 16:05

Just wondering if I would be expecting too much for my 22LR with 1 5/8 inch barrel to kill a snake? Bad snakes only of course. Four to five feet away. Using CCI 22 lr shot shells? Or would you recommend another ammo? I want to carry something for snakes as my first shot. I don't want to walk around feeling too confident and it not take care of business. What have any of ya'll experienced?

RICKS PLACE · May-06-19 12:05

While I am sure there are many tales of using the .22 LR snake shot, some good, some not so good, a few years back, my son and I were moving a large dog house in our back yard. He yelled as we picked up the house, I jumped back and saw the small rattler coiled. Maybe 2 foot long. He grabbed our 22 LR rifle with snake shot in it and fired on the snake. He shot quick and hit about 2 inches into the body. Snake didn't move, he fired again, up closer to the head, it still sit there coiled and started moving. Third shot to the head killing it. Bottom line?, not good. Very small holes, no exit of shot. + small snake, I would only use snake shot (handgun) with a .38 or larger. I know, many of the "dead eyes" on the forum have tales of much better luck, but that is my 2 cents. My son was making sure I was out of the line of fire throwing his aim off. I know he has made first round head shots on rattlers out on the deer lease quickly with his .357 Blackhawk. At 3 or 5 feet, using a short barrel mini, hope you are good enough for head shots each time you pull the trigger.

Canoeal · May-06-19 15:05

22 mag? OK...22LR? Not so much...JMHO.

grayelky · May-06-19 19:05

I killed a snake with my LR and using CCI snake shot about 30 years ago, maybe a little longer. Only one I ever shot at, but I had plenty of time to place my shot. I do know the shot is very small. I would prefer a magnum, if given the choice.

Uncle_Lee · May-07-19 03:05

Quote from: grayelky on May-06-19 19:05
I killed a snake with my LR and using CCI snake shot about 30 years ago, maybe a little longer. Only one I ever shot at, but I had plenty of time to place my shot. I do know the shot is very small. I would prefer a magnum, if given the choice.

Pictures or it didn't happen........

top dog · May-07-19 05:05

A lot of discussion about the minis either in 22lr or Magnum shot. In my opinion it would be iffy at best.
I prefer a Bond Arms derringer in 410 and pretty much be done with it.

However,the beauty of the minis is that they are always with you and much smaller than the derringer.

Uncle Lee,
I would be way too busy getting away from the snake dead or alive to take any photos of it!!!

Top Dog

Boisesteve · May-07-19 07:05

I carry two rounds of CCI 22mag snakeshot up front in my 4"Earl when hiking in the hills. In the 10 years since we moved west I've seen three rattlesnakes. The two that were in the trail were polite and withdrew before coiling and warning, and I let them be. Their message was clear: I don't want a fight with you, but be sure to remember, you don't want a fight with me. My thoughts also. Ready with snakeshot but prefer to leave them be to eat more rodents. The last one I saw was off the trail and not interested in me at all. I have a photo of that first one somewhere, might be able to find it.
Steve in Boise

Boisesteve · May-07-19 07:05

and this. snake sign.

OV-1D · May-07-19 08:05

Down Florida way we have a great many pigmy rattlers more so the their big brothers , picking off a pigmy is that much more challenging due to its size . Frankly its easier to put a stick on its head and move them out of the area , remember every creature has its purpose especially snakes for controlling rodents and bugs even other snakes and such . Had a adult coral snake laying up against our sliding door resting in the shade , very easy to pick up and move to the state park close by . I save the gun powder for human snakes and any caliber will do , so far so good . STORY : When I was a teenager I had a NAA l.r. and sat under a tree any destroyed the robin redbreast migrating population those days , I'm funny like this to this day I feel remorse for being such an barbarian for no good reason except being a great marksman (boy) . So today I relocate anything that's a problem instead of killing it . It feels real good to be an humanitarian in the long run . Sorry back to thread .

top dog · May-07-19 08:05

OV-1D,
That is very good and I think that is a good way to be.

However,there are probably many ranchers and farmers that have a different view about this as they had way too many valuable livestock and pets that have been killed by venomous snakes.

Fortunately in my area,venomous snakes a few and very far between not like down south or out west.

Top Dog

OV-1D · May-07-19 11:05

Many moons ago while driving our construction truck on a outback dirt road we came across a Eastern Diamondback that stretched the width of the road , at least ten feet, and a foot overhang on each side of the road at least , WHAT A BEAST IT WAS . We drove around that one in fear of getting a flat from a bite , ha .

Oh it was as big around as a Louieville Slugger if not slightly more . Rat shot just would have pissed this gal off , I say gal because they get huge like this , TOO MANY SWEETS ,Ha .

Uncle_Lee · May-07-19 14:05

No topdog, not you.
That was meant as a funny for grayelky for his story about 30 years ago.

RICKS PLACE · May-07-19 16:05

I tend to agree with Topdog. Unless I only have my NAA and I am where I would encounter a rattler, I don't feel any NAA revolver is suitable for taking one. When I am out like that, I usually have my J frame.
While I am usually in agreement with Uncle Lee on gun matters, I really wonder about his other posts. As he has never included photos of his being born, does he really exist? In his own words, "pictures or it didn't happen". That considered, without photos, are any of us really here or is this entirely a dream? I may need to check in with Wild Turkey to go to sleep tonight.

Canoeal · May-07-19 16:05

My photo is on here, at least an old one. I must have existed when the photo was taken...

Dinadan · May-07-19 17:05

Welcome to the forum, Nctoni. I have never tried shot shells out of a Mini, so I do not know the answer to your question. Back in the old days I used to kill rats with .22 shot shells, but that was out of a rifle. If you are a average type human and the snake is an average type North American venomous snake, a stick maybe three feet long will do just fine. I worked as a land surveyor for about thirty years and never needed a firearm to dispatch a snake.

I am kind of happy to see this thread take a positive turn regarding leaving non aggressive snakes alone. I figure that a snake that I see is not dangerous and therefore does not need to be killed, just avoided, whether venomous or not.

coppertop · May-07-19 18:05

Quote from: nctoni on May-05-19 16:05
Just wondering if I would be expecting too much for my 22LR with 1 5/8 inch barrel to kill a snake? Bad snakes only of course. Four to five feet away. Using CCI 22 lr shot shells? Or would you recommend another ammo? I want to carry something for snakes as my first shot. I don't want to walk around feeling too confident and it not take care of business. What have any of ya'll experienced?

I've killed plenty of snakes with my NAA 22LR using the run of the mill Stinger hollowpoint shells.

I've also killed a few with my NAA 22mag using shotshells. I keep one of the two NAA minis on me whenever I go fishing or out in the kayak.

Prefer the magnum for the slightly larger grip and more forgiving shotshells. Always thought 22LR shotshells were designed more for irritation than damage. A 22LR hollowpoint has stopping power if placed in the right spot, though.

top dog · May-08-19 04:05

Coppertop,
Always good to have a mini (or two) with you.

Trouble is with the minis is that there are so many good ones,which one to choose??

Seems like the PUG or Black Widow lead the pack but I always seem to have the 22 lr mini (my first one) with me at all times.

Top Dog

nctoni · May-08-19 06:05

while i have a phobia of snakes I am not going hunting for them. But if I find a copperhead in my garden mulch I don't really want to just let it be. I don't feel that a hoe is long enough for me.

Thanks to all who responded. It seems that opinions are differing on the subject. I hope that I don't come across one to have to find out.
I have been a lurker/member here for several years. I just bought my second 22lr with the holster grip this week.

LHB · May-08-19 21:05

This has been gone over before.
https://naaminis.com/smf/index.php?topic=13468.msg121104#msg121104

top dog · May-09-19 08:05

LHB,
You are right on that. As you know,many times we tend to revisit other thread/topics.

It does make it very interesting.

Top Dog

autofull · May-09-19 10:05

i gotta agree with the no 22 shot shell rule. the naa barrel length just cannot get enough rpm to git movin on shot velocity. as for the two legged snakes, i do not want to ever be shot by any caliber of firearm. i have tested shot shells over 40yrs in many lengths and calibers and 38spl. is my minimum size. i do live in the woods here in pa so for me testing has been done enough times. just me. kevin,.