So I have Ruger LCRx .22 Magnum revolver with the 1.87" barrel. Bought it mostly for plinking.

But we are seeing a lot of snakes lately, and want to carry it with me, loaded with snakeshot.

Can y'all recommend a good ammo for this purpose? Or, some tips on (at least) what to consider when looking? Or, should I forget this idea and use my .357 Mag instead?

Thanks!

Thanks for the links. I have seen these before. But they are 22LR. I am really looking for 22Mag.

quote:

Originally posted by CPD SIG:
https://www.cci-ammunition.com/rimfire/cci/


https://www.targetsportsusa.co...hell-0039-p-891.aspx

I'd use the .357 but then again, I don't like snakes.

CCI, Federal, and Winchester all make a 22 wmr shotshell. I'm sure there are more. I think your choice is going to come down to what you find available. I've used CCI and Federal. Both were fine.

quote:

Originally posted by ridgerat:
So I have Ruger LCRx .22 Magnum revolver with the 1.87" barrel. Bought it mostly for plinking.

But we are seeing a lot of snakes lately, and want to carry it with me, loaded with snakeshot.
<snip>

Maybe, in some circumstances, if they’re rattlesnakes. Otherwise, just leave them alone.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

if they’re rattlesnakes. Otherwise, just leave them alone.

I have never seen a rattlesnake around here, but I have encountered a couple coral snakes. Aside from the legality of discharging a firearm within our city limits, the first one was in a location where ricochet could have been a problem, so I decapitated it with a hoe. Second one disappeared while I was getting the hoe from the garage.

readily available I don't know but CCI makes snake shot in a wide variety of calibers including 22mag. Myself (I don't use it for dispatching snakes but sick domestic birds) I've been much happier with the larger versions like 9mm.

Save your money and carry a hockey stick, no suppressor needed.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

quote:

Originally posted by ridgerat:
So I have Ruger LCRx .22 Magnum revolver with the 1.87" barrel. Bought it mostly for plinking.

But we are seeing a lot of snakes lately, and want to carry it with me, loaded with snakeshot.
<snip>

Maybe, in some circumstances, if they’re rattlesnakes. Otherwise, just leave them alone.

Yes, rattlers. And primarily when I am hiking, and don;t have access to shovels or hockey sticks. LOL

Do they even have Hockey Sticks in Tucson?

quote:

Thanks for the links. I have seen these before. But they are 22LR. I am really looking for 22Mag.

CCI 22mag

Unfortunately CCI states that they're out of stock right now.

Even venomous snakes are not the devil. I see no need to kill any snake that isn’t a direct, unavoidable hazard which is few and far between. Last year I relocated this copperhead with a rafting paddle and 5 gallon bucket.

I was out west dogging, walking out when a large snake surprised me at my feet. For whatever reason I didn’t have my J-frame setup with any snake shot. I looked in my pockets for about 30 seconds, no luck.

I took a shot with my regular load, one shot right through the center of the neck.

My reasons for relating this story, one doesn’t ‘need’ snake shot to shoot a snake. The second is, one of my partners still goes on about the shot. I did mention there was luck involved, but he still gives me a fair bit of credit.

Whatever you choose, make sure to test it thoroughly. Know it's effective range and shot pattern. I was surprised .357 shot shells in my Ruger Security Six short barrel was only reliably effective to about 5-6 feet. Sure you can get lucky and kill one at a bit longer range, but if you are dealing with a pissed off rattler I'd rather not gamble.

I've had good luck with CCI .22Mag Shotshells. I would consider it better for the task than both .22LR and the larger calibers.

OZ

I question the effectiveness of any pistol shot loads.

I’ve had good success with CCI .22 mag shot-shells against rattlesnakes. They carry quite a bit more shot than the .22LR ones. I use them in a NAA Black Widow. I think they perform better in the short barrels than in longer barrels. I used it to kill this one in my metal building last week.

[]

Fuck I hate venomous snakes. Last place I lived was copperhead country. They suck but rattlesnakes and moccasins scare me more.

I also have had success with the 22 mag cci shotshells out of my Ruger single 9. The LR ones aren’t worth a crap though.