22 shotshells
I'm likely going to WY this summer for prairie dogs. Not being from a snakey area I wondered about rattlesnakes. The WY contact said rattlesnakes like prairie dog burrows so I was thinking of bringing a snake gun. Picked up some CCI 22 shotshells. First pic is 2 shots from a Bearcat 8 feet from target. Red tick marks are 3" from center. Second pic is the backside of the target, 1 shot through 5 layers of cardboard. Maybe I can add a snake skin to my trophies.
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You need to be close for the .22 LR CCI
the .22 WMR shotshells are at least twice as effective. They have larger shot as well.
They DO make great encapsulated 9mm also that seem to run well through the 9mm autos I've used. I shot rats off he bushhog with them! The .40 S&W and .45 ACP shotshells work well too but NEVER try them from a revolver. They locked up the cylinder on mine.
The old full cylinder length brass, home made shotshells, with a 1/2" square of 1/4" thick dacron on the powder, under the shot, and capped with either a gas check of suitable size or made up card wad with hot glue are the bomb. (actually you can just use toilet paper and hot glue) The front wadding acts like a little projectile itself.
I have used .444 Marlin for .45 Colts, and .30-30 for .41 Magnums. Expanded by fireforming, and trimed. The front will need to be necked to pass through the chamber throats. It's fun figuring all that out. I've even done it with .510 GNR.
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I prefer a hot loaded cast bullet.
Even if you miss you blow enough rocks and bits of stuff that it will do a snake in.
I saw my Dad shoot at a big Diamondback Rattler that was sunning on top of a boulder. Dad let fly with his .44 Magnum using a Keith load. He hit under the coiled up snake and the blast lifted the snake up and blew it full of holes from lead and bits of rock flying.
Once I shot a cotton mouth in the water.
My little dog had it wadded up in maybe 3-4” of water above the mud. I blasted it with a 8” Colt Python and hot 140 hr. JHP. I actually missed, but it blew the snake 10 ft. straight up into some tree branches. The bewildered and mud smattered dog was looking all around when the snake landed on her. Boy what a yelp! But the writhing serpent was in its death spasms.
It was a little horrifying to watch unfold. I thought I got my dog bitten!
western diamondback to close to home...
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BTW that little boy is Roman!
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With his Ma-ma!