Hanging on the wall in my basement is a rifle manufactured by Saur and Sons. It's an 8 MM Kropotchek made in 1886. It is fully functional, and I'd have no qualms taking it out to shoot Bison or Moose. The biggest problem I have is getting proper bullets for it. Right now, the newest bullets I have were made in 1926, and some are from 1916. They still shoot fine, but they are not hunting ammo, unless the snakes you are hunting are bipedal.

Shoot 'em.