what's best for snake loads?

Anvil · September-05-21 19:09

I always have my Pug with me but a couple weeks back I was fishing South East Kansas in the Strip mine lakes and found myself within 10 feet of a copperhead snake while changing lures on the tailgate of my truck! I tried to shoot it but missed in all 5 attempts with CCI hollow point loads.
Yes, I'm 70 yrs. old and not so accurate anymore. So now I think I want to have something extra with snake loads to keep in my fishing tackle box for quick access. My buddy suggested a Davis derringer in 22 mag but I'm a NAA guy so looking for your suggestions. Maybe I should put the Pug with snake loads in the tackle box and make my everyday concealed carry something else? I appreciate your input.

OLD and GRUMPY · September-05-21 19:09

If you are out with snakes load the first 2 chambers with shot shells then the rest with hollow point. If you will be around 2 leg snakes rotate the cylinder 2 spots. Mark the outside of the cylinder so you can see what is what. OR get a second Pug!

If the Pug works for edc don't change that.

Ozark75 · September-05-21 20:09

Maybe a Black Widow or Mini Master with snake loads?

Rick_Jorgenson · September-05-21 20:09

Please... anything but a Davis Derringer! (well, almost anything) Some would say you would be better off with a pointed stick!

They don't have a very good reputation for quality they are inexpensive though

I think O & G had the best suggestion of loading a couple of snake loads in your Pug

Or... another NAA would always work as well! Another Pug or a Black Widow. Or, the new Ranger is a good option!

theysayimnotme · September-06-21 00:09

The Davis derringer will be larger & heavier than most NAA revolvers, gives you only two shots & is hard & slow to cock. However mine is a .32 ACP & perhaps a bit more practical although not for snakes. They did make a .38 & shot shells in that could be quite useful but it was quite a bit larger & heavier than the others.
At 10 feet I have to wonder how effective the TINY shot from a .22 lr or .22 mag shot shell would be?

OV-1D · September-06-21 06:09

Your question I answer with a 410 load . Shooting snakes with 22's is for the real marksman , the head must be detached from the body to be sure of not getting hit . Snake heads can even deliver venom if misused . Best to leave alone anyways they do have a big purpose in this world more so than anyone could think .

Ozark75 · September-06-21 08:09

A Bond Arms in .38/357 snake shot or .45/.410 would also work great. A little pricey, but fantastic little guns!

OLD and GRUMPY · September-06-21 10:09

If I were to buy a small dedicated snake gun to live in the tackle box I would probably get a 410. Maybe Bond? Or load your own. Speer makes Shot Caps for 38/357 , .44 , and ,45 . The 38 should work in my 38S&W or the other 38 cases. Same with .45 cal. https://www.midwayusa.com/s?searchTerm=speer++shot+shells+&perPage=48 There is a learning curve to loading (crimping) but they will give you many more cal options. I have used 38 and 45. Happy. I have little to do so if anyone wants I can post what NOT to do when loading them.

Anvil · September-06-21 18:09

Truth of the matter is after emptying my pug I jumped onto the tailgate and waited for the slithering deadly reptile to move on. My Iraq marine veteran son-in-law said to simply put my Mossberg 500 with buckshot loads in the truck bed next to my tackle box and have no worries. LOL

KEN AR · September-06-21 18:09

Son in law swears by the CCI shot shell in Magnum for legless critters. Killed about 20 Copperheads last year... He says a double shot is best cause he doesn't like them! Never dead enough!

KEN AR · September-06-21 18:09

For the AZ desert I had my S&W Governor in 45/410 it is 6 shots vs the Judge at 5.

Yes it rides in Desert Gun Leather.

Uncle_Lee · September-07-21 03:09

Good on old eyes and makes the coffee go down smooth.

ApacheDan · September-07-21 04:09

I second CCI WMR shotshells for your Pug. I would advise to try on paper first, so you can get familiar with the spread of the shot at different distances with your gun. I would not try further than 5 yards.

Boisesteve · September-07-21 07:09

I agree with OV above: if possible, let them be. The rattlesnakes I have met here in ID have all given good warning, and all lived to eat another mouse. Having said that, when I hike in the hills the first two holes in my 4 inch Earl contain CCI .22mag snake shot.
(post modified to correct funky punctuation characters)

Bkraft · September-11-21 19:09

We have a very real copperhead problem here in NC. I carry my .22 Magnum with the first two rounds as CCI shot shells. The rest are hollow points.

top dog · September-12-21 07:09

Anvil,
Kind of hard to hit a snake,even though very close during "poops in the panties time"!!

The Bond derringer is nice but is a bit heavy. I have one but still prefer a BW or PUG with the first two shots of snake shot loaded.

Try practice sessions with a small golf ball size target (playing card?) at about 6 feet or so to see where your shots go with what sight picture.

Obviously,nothing can duplicate the "excitement" of a close encounter but you will get an idea of where your shots are going.

Snake bites are quite expensive with $200,000 to $300,000 being quite common.

Snake bite deaths are few and far between but the loss of limbs and fingers are quite common.

Snake leggings (gaitors) are a good idea if possible.

Just my thoughts.

Top Dog

OV-1D · September-12-21 07:09

A snake that can more or less kill you and does it quietly and stealthy , ouch . Good luck watch each step with a three foot radius on every step . Down here in the swamps pigmy rattlers are very common then eastern diamondbacks then water moccasin's and last but not least coral snakes . All kind of harmless unless one gets stupid or ignorant . I was looking for a new born covey of rabbits in my planter and pushing the plants aside to get a peak and lone and behold I come nose to nose , fourteen inches I figure , to a two foot moccasin looking for the same thing . We both just slowly backed away from one another and said good day . Moccasins have that extra mean ass look to them up close kinda like a rattler but a little more fearsome of a bad ass with those overhanging eye brows staring at you .

pietro · September-12-21 07:09

.

Avoidance is the best snake defense - IMO, since most snakes don't usually climb into trucks, you did the right thing by getting into the bed.

top dog · September-13-21 06:09

OV-1D,
I have heard that Water Moccasins (Cotton Mouths) are very aggressive. One fisherman down in GA was bitten by one and he spent six days in the hospital to the tune of $300,000.

Awareness and avoidance is the best method of protection.

Top Dog

Boisesteve · September-13-21 06:09

Dr Dabbs writes about water moccasins and his children:
https://americanhandgunner.com/our-experts/guncrank-diaries/the-deep-magic-of-fatherhood/

Boisesteve · September-13-21 06:09

And then Dr. Dabbs explains why he HATES them:
https://gunsmagazine.com/our-experts/touring-snakesville/

I think he writes very well.

OV-1D · September-13-21 07:09

Being a bass fisherman I've been chased off and for quite some distance down around the ponds and canals , they don't stop till they think its a good distance . Its not just the poison from the bite they are known to have bad types of bacteria in their mouths . Double the trouble . Some Places down here they put coral limestone rocks to hold the banks so each and every crevasse is a potential home to these devils .

top dog · September-14-21 07:09

OV-1D,
The venom is basically a digestive enzyme and you can actually drink it (DON'T) but you are correct about other "nasties" in the bite.

I have heard stories about water moccasins coming into rowboats and stuff and other aggressive stuff.

The one bass fisherman I know of that got bit down in GA was untangling his lure from an underwater obstruction when he got bit on his pinky (yes,they can bite underwater) That was the 6 day stay,$300,000 bite I mentioned earlier.

If they are that prolific in your area,maybe it be best you carry two (or more) minis???

Top Dog

Anvil · September-15-21 17:09

I've been informed by a highly rated local old gun smith that the two shot Bond Arms in .410 and the short barrel single shot Comanche is best for the fishing tackle box.
So the Bond runs about $700 and the Comanche about $215! Hmm! LOl

top dog · September-16-21 06:09

Anvil,
The Bond Arms "Rowdy" series goes for $269. Not as well finished but works just as well.

I am certain that the 22 mag shot at close range is very effective but prefer the Bond 410/3 inch just to be sure.

Sounds nice to have either in the tackle box but I would prefer to have then on my person for quicker access.

And.........................for gosh snakes......if one of those snakes wind up on the bottom of your boat/canoe........don't shoot it!!!!

Top Dog

Boisesteve · September-16-21 07:09

Do not forget:

Anvil · September-16-21 18:09

I just don't like snakes. I once found a lowly tiny garter snake in my garden and instantly killed with multiple strikes with a hoe.
Decades ago I snagged a huge black snake when fishing in a boat on a lake, once I reeled it in and saw it wasn't a fish I panicked as it came up my pole right at me so I just tossed the entire rig into the water not thinking about how much money I had invested in that setup.
My buddy in the boat thought it was hilarious!
I've never spent that much on fishing gear ever since,

top dog · September-17-21 05:09

Anvil,
Gosh!!! That must have been interesting!!!! Expensive too.

MY basic theory is if I see a snake I exit that area quickly. Venomous snakes are few and far between up here in the north,but down south or the southwest is a different story.

A classmate of mine was one of the founding doctors of the Venom 1 Squad for the Miami/Dade county FD in Florida. Obviously they encounter snake of all types on a daily basis.

Down there they have the invasive Burmese Pythons that can get HUGE.

Heck with the Bond 410 in that case.........out comes the Mossberg 12 Gauge Shockwave!!!!!!!!!

Top Dog

OLD and GRUMPY · September-17-21 07:09

A NOTE FROM "SNEK" ----- I don't need thumbs. I am a constrictor !

You watch your step!

OLD and GRUMPY · September-17-21 12:09

When a 8 year old girl wants a pet? SNEK!

OV-1D · September-17-21 12:09

Funny when I was a youngin I had a yellow corn snake and it use to sleep in my cowboy boot next to my bed all night long , never thought about leaving .

OLD and GRUMPY · September-17-21 14:09

His name is Peanut. Loves frozen mice.

OLD and GRUMPY · September-17-21 17:09

OV-- That tells a lot about you. Good man. Peanut says hi!

Nonseven · October-06-21 15:10

I once did a pattern test of every CCI shot shell cartridge available for handguns including 22LR, 22M, 9mm, 38 spl, 45ACP, 44 spl, 45 colt, and even 2 1/2? .410 shot shells with #9 shot using a 3? barrel Taurus Judge.

The range was about 6 feet, and the purpose of the test was to determine which gun/shot shell cartridge had the tightest pattern.

The surprise winner out of all of them, was the lowly 22LR shot out of an NAA-22LR with a 1 1/8? barrel. Yes, the Judge and the 44/45 threw the most shot, but the little NAA had the tightest pattern and would register the most hits on the tiny target of the head of a snake. The little 22lr was just #12 shot, and it wouldn?t penetrate as much as the larger shot sizes, but it?s enough for the snake.

So, as someone else suggested, carry the little NAA loaded with shot shells, and something else if desired for other threats.

top dog · October-07-21 06:10

Nonseven,
You did the test at a very realistic "snake distance". I am sure that at 6 feet,the #12 shot would have enough penetration for a venomous snake but I would feel more comfortable with a Bond Derringer packing a 410/3 inch shell.

But then,the PUG or any other mini with a 1 1/8" bbl would be far more comfortable to pack and more than likely be with you when needed.

Top Dog