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Which of these two would you choose for snake defense?

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GunGoBoom

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This is for the hypothetical of wading through a slough/bayou/swamp, and along comes a cottonmouth straight at you - this would be my bowfishing sidearm. Please pick 1 of these 2 choices only, as these are my actual choices:

1. .45 acp revolver, 5 shots, with homemade case-length birdshot loads, or
2. .22lr revolver, 9 shots, with CCI birdshot

So, in other words, 5 rounds of .45 acp birdshot, or 9 rounds of .22 lr birdshot for said cottonmouth? I'm thinking the former.
 
Most 45 ACP revolvers are NOT for use with commercial shot loads as they WILL bind your cylinder.
 
Most 45 ACP revolvers are NOT for use with commercial shot loads as they WILL bind your cylinder.
Click to expand...

I know. Unfortunately, BTDT. But that's with the front aluminum housing portion of the case, for lack of a better phrase, which causes them to bind up when they expand. But on a case-length handload (with simple wax seal), I do not *think* this will be any problem whatsoever. However, there will be less room for the powder charge, making them less powerful than the commercial load. My specific question contemplated these facts, as you can see.
 
I currently use a Taurus Model 94 .22LR for that very same purpose loaded with CCI shotshells and it works for me. Go with the 9 shot.
 
I thought the problem was #12 shot getting into the flashgap, the aluminum case doesn't matter... it's that in 'revolver loads' the shot is encapsulated in a plastic cup designed to keep it from happeneing.
 
I make shotshells in .45 Colt using a gas check as a bottom wad and an inverted gas check as the top wad. Crimp and seal with silicone. I have no problem with them binding the cylinder.

The .45 ACP is a bit different, and you may have to either use Ed Harris' forming die with .308 shells or factory loaded shot capsules. The latter can indeed bind a cylinder.

Personally, I usually have a ball round under the hammer when I walk up on a snake, and I just shoot him with that.
 
i was under the impression that when you lower the power capacity of the case by seating a bullet to deep (or shot in this case) you will get dangerous pressure levels. I might have misunderstood how you are going to do that with the .45, but i'm just throwing this out there, i would hate to see someone get hurt that didn't deserve it. :rolleyes:
 
i was under the impression that when you lower the power capacity of the case by seating a bullet to deep (or shot in this case) you will get dangerous pressure levels.
Click to expand...

You're not wrong about seating depth affecting pressures. But the charge I use (about 2.5 grains of Bullseye) is so small it doesn't matter.
 
I've seen (and even shot) some O/U derringer type pistols that will take a .410 shell and .45 Colt. I believe they are marketed as "Snake Slayer" or something similar. Even if you miss with both shots, chances are the snake will be rather disoriented and that ought to give you enough time to pop two fresh shells in.
 
Hmm, perhaps I missed something here, but if I read right, you are considering using snake shot in a handgun to protect yourself from cottonmouths while they are underwater? I would seriously doubt the effectivness of any snakeshot (at least the ones I have fired) in penetrating any amount of water plus a snake. Plus, aiming will be an issue, due to the the refractory nature of water. I fit was me, within your two choices I would probably take the .45 loaded with 230gr FMJ. It would be a tough shot to actually hit the snake, but I would guess that the concussion caused when the slug hits the water would be enough to disorient the snake and allow you time to get the heck outta there. Of course, take this with a grain of salt, because I live in New Mexico, so we don't get too many of them swimmin' snakes out this way (nothing to swim in...)

James
 
James, snakes (excepting sea snakes) generally swim on top of the water or very close to the surface.
 
I've killed many Rattlesnakes and Copperheads on my place over the years.

Although I've loaded 44 Mag, 45ACP and a couple others with shot, my choice is a 2 inch 38 Special loaded with #8 shot, the way Vern Humphrey loads his.

Only one time did the 38 shot fail to stop one of the biggest Rattlesnakes with a single shot from as far as 12 feet.

On the other hand I've emptied a 5 shot 22 revolver, using CCI shot shells, at a medium sized Copper head from about 6 feet and he kept on going.
 
No, I finally killed him with a stick before he got away.

I shot a Copperhead and one of the gas checks cut out a half circle in his side. When I picked him up with a stick there was a whole green snake sticking out the Copperhead's side. He must have just eaten.

No, the green snake was dead. :D
 
James, snakes (excepting sea snakes) generally swim on top of the water or very close to the surface.
Click to expand...

Ahh, I see. As you can tell, us New Mexicans don't generally run into those kinda problems here in the desert. However, it does lead to an interesting question. How much water would snake shot penetrate and still be effective? I'm guessing not more than an inch or two, but I'm not sure. On a barely related note, last week while in the mountains (National Forest, so no firearms allowed) hiking, I stepped right next to rock and heard the trademark rattle. We pulled it out with a snake stick. I had put my foot down about 4 inches in front of the face of a 7 foot diamondback! That reminds me, I'd better throw those pants away... :eek:
 
Since it is hypothetical, I choose NEITHER. I would use a 357 Revolver with snake shot or a mix of loads if I were serious. More serious, I take along a shotgun.

James481: Glad you didn't kill the rattle-bug regardless of legality. A 7-footer is a very large diamondback rattlesnake. I have seen many in the woods. Unless one bites me, I step aside and walk on.
 
It's very rarely necessary to kill a snake. Even the poisonous ones will flee from a human if possible. "Coming straight at you?" Not if he knows you're there. Slap the water and yell at him. He'll veer off and leave the area.

The only time people get bitten by snakes is when you stick your hand or foot into the den/hiding place or you surprise one by stepping on it. I've encountered many snakes in the wild and never felt the need to kill one.
 
Parks in Texas you can carry as long as you have a CHL. When we lived in Fla. one afternoon I had a 4-5 ft. black snake with a white mouth (can't remember the name,but it was poisonous ) come at me, and didn't stop.. All I had was a rake so I did my best to "turn him away" from me. No I did not kill him, they do eat rats.............

Jim
 
I agree with thatguy's post, generally snakes don't mess with you unless you've given them reason to... As far as the round goes, I agree with those who say .38 shot in .38 or .357 mag.

Oh, I do agree that cottonmouths are indeed aggressive - experienced that one more than once!
 
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Interesting info on the national forest carry policies. I was just basing that on the fact that there are signs hung all along the fence border (from ABQ Open Space to National Forest) saying that discharging guns is prohibited. I also know that bow hunting is allowed, but firearm hunting is not. So, any Albuquerquians (sp?) here know if I am correct or am I just seeing things? BTW I am referring to the front side of the sandias, once you get into the National Forest...

James
 
Some NF folks have been trying to shut down shooting and hunting in the NF's for a while. In some areas they're more successful than others. That, and some NF's have a pretty good reason to not allow shooting, such as proximity to residential areas or secure govt. facilities (e.g. Sandia Nat'l Labs).
 
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