Is .22mag snake shot enough for moccasins?

[IDman]

We don't live (or travel) in moccasin country so I have no experience shooting them. HOWEVER...we have to go to Mississippi to clean out a vacant tenant dwelling owned my my mother-in-law so we can list it for sale. The property is 15 acres with house, barns, sheds, pool and pool equipment bldg. plus a couple of greenhouses. It has been neglected for a couple of years and we have now evicted the tenant.

We have been told by others living in the area that there is trash, debris, etc. all over the property so we know we will encounter snakes and other varmints.

I have been searching for .38/.357 snake shot but cannot find any! I can find 9mm but I don't trust the plastic shells to load properly. I can find lots of .22 mag at Bass Pro so may have to settle for it as it will be in a revolver.

Is .22 mag enough for Mississippi moccasin, copperheads, and rattlers?

Thanks!

[hmknightnc]

The problem with pistol shot (any of them) is really need to be within 10 or so feet of the snake. If you are not a proficient shot or scared pistol shot sucks. Get a kids 410 or 20 gauge. A 45 cal revolver that can shot 410 shot works great too, if you have one.

[shenandoahvalle]

When we are doing cleanup work on the farm in eastern VA I usually carry a 4" 38/357 with shot shells and it works well. Also keep a small short barrel 20ga., actually a kids gun, in the pickup and that works well. I wouldn't depend on a .22 shot shell but if you are good enough shot a .22 round will get them. About the only thing we have to deal with are copperheads and they don't move too fast.

[kennethwooster]

Been around rattlesnakes most of my life. Killed most with spades or hoes. Later bought a 410 shotgun called a stage gun. It had double barrels and they were shorter then most 410 shotguns. Really nice and worked great on rattlers. Later I learned about the Judge, and was hoping to get one. quit farming so now I don't have much need.

[down_home]

May have to shop the Internet. I have bee looking for some .22 shot loads, for a friend. They are scarce. the .38s or .357 shot shells work better. A shotgun will do it but you have to be several feet away, unless you get him center with the shot load, still all together.
I've use .22s but not .22 magnum. does a good job on mice, in out buildings but snakes?
Never shot a Moccasin nor Rattler with .22. I've seen more than on Rattler get run over by a car.It's like hitting a big stick, and crawl away.
They or some ,of them may die later.
A .410 is handy. One, of the handguns that handle .410s seems like might be a right fine idea.

[SCVJeff]

Snake shot on a .22 is a joke, it's the consistency of course pepper. When I was helping my dad clear his property I carried .38 bird shot (much larger) in a S&W .357 #686 and it worked fine the two times I used it.

[MSGTRETIREDCSP]

The only reason a .22 will not work, is because the person using it......missed. :B

[Turbo_Diesel_Du]

For a small fee I could rent you my cat. She likes killing snakes.

[rfryer]

A shotgun would seem overkill to me. Any center fire pistol shot round should work. When I was younger I did a lot of survey work in the boonies and stumbled over a lot of rattlers pushing through the brush. If they were close enough to be a threat I shot them with a 22 revolver with LR's. Of course you need a head shot.Shot's the best option if there's any development around, but I have reservations about 22 shot.

[Bumpyroad]

Gonzo42 wrote:
Almost any firearm will kill a snake. My first choice would be a shotgun, but its up to you. Any firearm but a shotgun needs careful aiming.

yep anything from a 20 gauge on up.
bumpy

[OH48Lt]

Almost any of the revolvers that shoot 410 ga will work great. No need to get the 3 inch shells, 2.5" is plenty.

There's the Taurus "Judge" /"Public Defender"

and the S&W "Governor"

but stay away from the "Politician". They don't work and you can't get rid of them.

[dyb]

410 or 12 ga. with bird shot, #8. Cotton Mouth will be aggressive

[Trackrig]

.22 shot shells are pretty worthless, even our misqutoes laugh at them. They do make birdshot for .44 mags also. That's a lot better, but I'm sure you're trying to find something for a gun you already have.

Bill

[KD4UPL]

I killed a 4' rattler with .38 shot, plus a few other snakes. If I had it to do over again I would go for the .410 judge. I wouldn't want .22, it just seems too small.

[Raften]

Long handle heavy wild fire hoe or a .410.

[campigloo]

Where in Miss.?