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long time ago I shot some soda cans with CCI shot loads, at 10 feet or so - .22, .38, and .44. The .22 is quite unimpressive. The .38 is better, the .44 shreds the can. Go with the .38 loads, bare minimum.

Afield this S&W usually has at least one shot load aboard:

That picture of the momma rattler with the 17 babies calls for a double barrel 12ga and 2 rounds of AA # 8 skeet loads. I've got one setting behind the back door at the Ranch for just such occasions.

I looked up the CCI .45 Auto snake load, interesting.

CCI says the load is intended for semi-autos only. Do not use in revolvers as recoil may lock up the revolver.

Midway USA says use CCI .45 Auto in revolvers only. Do not use in Semi-autos.

Talk about a disconnect.

It seems that the load works in some semi-autos and not in others. It also seems to work in most 1911's but not always. One has to try them and see what happens I guess.

Pat,

missing the target just doesn't sound like you--but i've always appreciated your honesty--that someone at your level can freely admit to an occasional miss...

that old model 60 traveled a lot of miles--it was a good friend (about 20 years ago, i replaced it with an sp 101 with flush fit hammer for a snag free draw).

and, i remember how it shocked you when i'd finish a yote off with it.

looked at the pics you sent to me--great job!

Savage has been asking me how you're doing. haven't seen Beyl for awhile now...we were sure lucky growing up knowing those two guys.

When I found mommy and 17 babies I had hopped on the tractor and ridden down to the back of the place with the intention of using the tractor bucket to flip the trough over then take pictures of it so I could sell it. For some reason I grabbed my H&R 929 instead of one of the .38's. So when I found the wad of serpents I used the only shot load in the cylinder to take her out first (at VERY close range I might add), did the best I could on the little ones, then grabbed a dead mesquite limb a d pummeled the rest to death as they scattered through the brush. I'm sure it was quite a sight...

I've used shot loads in my .44 Mag. Smith Mountain Gun. They will absolutely shred a snake from 10 feet. I went to the Judge but had already killed the snakes out around my house. The one I used it on wasn't killed as quickly or decisively as with the Smith and Wesson 629. Surprisingly, the Governor, which only has 2 1/2" chambers as opposed to my Judge's 3 inchers, patterns better with small shot. I'd highly recommend 9 shot if going with a 410 handgun. The downside to the 44 Mag. shotshells is the expense. Doc Rocket and others have posted recipes for shotshells if you handload. I handload but have never done any shot loads for pistols. I've never tried a 38 or 357 on a snake or anything. IMO the big bores are much preferred for this type of work. That snake would make a good hatband.

I've experimented with Speer Shot Capsules in .38 & .44 quite a bit and .45 ACP a little. The ones that begin with a 4 work a lot better. The .38's will pattern plenty good enough if you're closer than about 5 feet, but it gets thin quickly after that.

If you are going to load them yourself, use the smallest shot you can find.

I've played around with shot loads in my .38/.357 revolvers for a number of years now; no snakes in my area, but you never know when you might move!
Some of the things that I've found while experimenting:
1.) The closer you are, the tighter the pattern (might be obvious to some people)....anything past 5-6 feet gave weak patterns (in .38 special loadings).

2.) The smaller the shot, the better the pattern...in both density and even spread. I prefer #9 shot in the .38 loads.

3.) Barrel length doesn't make any noticeable difference...I've shot them out of two 2" barreled models (Colt Detective special and Charter Arms undercover), a 6" barreled Colt Trooper Mk III, and a Ruger Vaquero with a 4 5/8" barrel. All the patterns looked as if they were shot by the same gun at the same distances.

4.) If you decide to get the capsules and reload them, DON'T use military surplus cases; stick with commercial cases. The walls of the military .38 cases were too thick, which made seating difficult and when crimped, would crack the plastic casings, spilling shot all over the place (what a mess).

5.) I've experimented with the factory loads in .44 cal as well, and if you can use them over the .38, go for it....it's like shooting a 10 gauge vs a 20 gauge when comparing patterns......but the .38's don't perform too badly, so I wouldn't feel 'under gunned".

Here are a few photos I took:


Here is what the pattern looked like at 5 feet from a 2" Colt Detective special; the bigger holes are from the plastic "shrapnel" and the base plug.....both of which add to the lethality:


I often wondered about the penetrative properties of these things on non tissue, i.e. what If I had to use them in a boat, around a stock tank, etc. I took some scrap aluminum and tried to replicate the thickness of my aluminum johnboat. This was the result of that test (i.e. at 5 feet, there was some denting, but it didn't penetrate completely).

The CCI shotshells in the .22MAGNUM (not .22LR), .38/.357, and .45ACP all work just fine. The .45ACP will not cycle the Kimber.

My Smith M63 with real bullets is the only piece I have killed the two or so handfuls of rattlesnakes with. All but one killed on a friends small ranch in NorCal. Never tried any of the shot loads in any round. The 63 just worked.

Scenar,

You need to treat yourself to an LCR.



Travis

When I lived in S. Florida (where they have a few snakes) my fishing/shooting partner and I used to load 2 of the CCI shotshells then top off with 158gr. XTP or 158gr.Kieth style SWC. That combination always worked well with water moccasins and rattlers.

Stomping around the everglades west of Sunrise (think Fort Lauderdale)in late August 2010 we ran up on a 7'10" Burmese Python stretched across the trail that my Lab had discovered and pissed off.

What happened in the next several moments was a certified cluster -uck and some teachable moments occurred.
> Never shoot a large caliber snake with a small caliber gun with "snake shot".
> Getting a Labrador pulled back by the collar, drawing and shooting is not conducive to good marksmanship.
> While some may think a 357 Magnum is a peep squeak they probably have never had one go off several times less than three feet away from their left ear.

We did dispatch the snake, I emptied my SP-101 and he emptied his M-66.
The Burmese Python was not impressed by 4 rounds of snake shot, I think all we did was really piss him off and really got him moving.
With 11 rounds fired, aside from the snake shot, there were only 2 body hits and 1 that grazed the head/body junction. So much for all of our range time practice.
Nothing like the heat of the moment and adrenaline to effect your marksmanship.

After that I started carrying my Model 29-2.

SC

That's a good story starch.



Travis

Awww. just step on his neck & stab his head. What could go wrong?

If they'd only make a 3in "kit gun" version with adjustable sights.

It's Ruger. I'm sure they will sooner or later.



Travis

lol Wish it was on video.

I would buy one.

Son with 42" Mocassin done in by CCI shot shell out of a 3" Kimber.
As mentioned above, the 45 CCIs don't cycle, but that's why you practice Tap-Rack-Bang. LOL
Pattern density is Everything in HG shot loads, so when loading my own it's No 12 chilled from BP. Works great!

I remember Venturino writing an article that stated #12 is the bomb-diggity for snakes.



Travis