I can get to them with a hoe or shovel, but other times (depending on the size and number of snakes) I need to shoot them, and I've been using 38 Special buckshot hand loads. I'm thinking maybe .22 bird shot, but I don't know if its enough for large copperheads.
Any comments or suggestions for the task?
First off, you mention "buckshot". CCI makes a #9 & a #4 snake shot cartridge for 38 spl.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1000810470 The larger the shot, of course, the more damage you'll do to barn wood.
I've used #9 for some pretty large snakes w/mixed results (#4 was not available at the time). Most of the time, the snake was disabled but many required a follow up. During the ammo draught, there was not a single box available nation wide but I was fortunate to find a box of 50 empty capsules which the seller was nice enough to fill w/7 1/2 shot before shipping. It obviously
works; as it must have scared every rattler out of south Texas and I have not had the opportunity to shoot a snake with it since. I did get a chance to pattern it from my 2" Mod. 60 at "snake range"......that's about 2' more than hoe handle length (they don't make a hoe long enough for S. Tx rattlers IMO)
.The pattern is about 6" tall and 4" wide.
I feel very confident the 7 1/2 will be superior to the #9 even on the big 'uns.
If you reload, here's the empty capsules so you can taylor your own:
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010935619
I've never used 22 ratshot on a snake, but a number of years ago, my MIL was having problems with some crows roosting in the trees behind her house. The numbers were sufficient to make the trees look like it had snowed. She lived in a fairly dense neighborhood and I decided I could shoot safely in one direction w/small shotshell, but didn,t want to use the loud .38's. My intention was to pepper the large birds and maybe convince them to move on. Bought a box of .22 rat shot, figured it would only dust them at 20 yards or so and would not be loud in a rifle.
Wrong on both counts! It was very loud and it killed the crow I had aimed at.
So....I'd say it would probably do a snake, but I'd keep the hoe nearby first try, as it will really give him an attitude if it's not lethal.
Oh, I'd try to find a longer handle for your hoe, but that's probably just me.
Regards,
hps