Rattler vs 9mm

[rvanpelt]

As I was mowing yesterday, I came upon a bigger than average rattler, for this area anyway. He was about to get away by going under an old mobile home. I had my Gock 26 9mm with me, fired 3 shots, hitting him with all 3. He measured 42 inches long and 14 rattles and a button. We live in the country and over the years rattlers have bit my horse, several cows, dogs and my Dad spent 3 days in the hospital and was very sick because of a bite.
Have any of you used any of the shot shells they make for various calibers? Are they strong enough to cycle the semi autos? I'd like to get some for my wife's Kahr CW9.
Thanks,
Rod

 

[WuzzFuzz]

I've got .45 ACP shot shells for my auto and they do fine...But be aware, about 6 feet away and you probably will be shooting more than once...They will do the job....But also consider...the smaller the caliber, there's going to be less shot in the shell to do the job.





WuzzFuzz

 

[M29since14]

Where is your .357 Magnum?

Just kidding. You got the job done with your G26. I have never used shotshells in autoloaders but have shot a small bunch of them in my Model 66 over the years. I was never much impressed and really couldn't see how they could be too effective judging from the "pattern" you see on paper. Hitting three for three with the G26 on the moving rattler was pretty good shooting!

 

[LoboGunLeather]

Good thing you're not here in Colorado. Our state legislature has classified rattlesnakes as small game animals, with a hunting season and license requirement. Go figure.

 

[BaaBaa]

Good thing you're not here in Colorado. Our state legislature has classified rattlesnakes as small game animals, with a hunting season and license requirement. Go figure.

Unless it is an immediate threat to your life or your livestock or is "harassing or worrying livestock", in which case the game warden said I was ok to shoot them. BTW the definition of harassing or worrying is quite broad. Also in other odd Colorado facts, honeybees are considered livestock.

 

[arjay]

Hmm,maybe this falls under shoot,shovel and shh?

 

[rvanpelt]

Good thing you're not here in Colorado. Our state legislature has classified rattlesnakes as small game animals, with a hunting season and license requirement. Go figure.

Glad we're no closer than 40 miles to Colorado! Sounds like you Colorado folks need to recall a few more of your liberal, money hungry lawmakers. I'd pay the fine before I'd let one go to bite someone or any of our pets or livestock another day. I'd do the three S es for sure.
Just my 2 cents and you can keep the change!
Rod

 

[H Richard]

John Taffin published a load in his book for a 44 Special shot load. Speer sells the capsules, and he recommended size 10 or 11 shot for a very dense pattern and good penetration. He claims to have killed quite a few with this load. I hope it is good as that is what is in my 24-3 whenever I go Prairie Dog hunting in SD. Luckily, I haven't had a need for one yet.

 

[Jessie]

John Taffin published a load in his book for a 44 Special shot load. Speer sells the capsules, and he recommended size 10 or 11 shot for a very dense pattern and good penetration. He claims to have killed quite a few with this load. I hope it is good as that is what is in my 24-3 whenever I go Prairie Dog hunting in SD. Luckily, I haven't had a need for one yet.

I loaded some of those and found them to. Be pretty effective. Similar to a "light" .410. At least to 20' it would be snake worthy.

 

[Straightshooter2]

No rattlers but I have killed copperheads with the Speer shot capsules. From a Blackhawk the .38 shotshells work great. Also took a rat right off the fence in the backyard with them. I have the 9mm loaded in one magazine for my LC9 for when I walk out in the backyard at night but to answer the OP's question, no they will not cycle a semi-auto.

CW

 

[sophie]

I was under the impression that no shot shell ammo would perform in a semi-auto. We can't even find .38 shot shell around here anymore. Last year we could still find .22 shot shell here but not any more. I have never seen any 9mm shot shell ammo.

 

[Malpasowildlifer]

I love it!

 

[amazingflapjack]

12 gauge for all of them.

 

[smokey04]

I have used CCI shot shells with great effect in many calibers from .22LR to .45 . You're asking about semi auto loads and I can say the .CCI.45 ACP load works in all of my guns. I have never tried the 9 MM load 'cause I'm not a fan of that caliber.
I regularly dispatch Rattlers and Copperheads[no Cottonmouths yet] with a S&W Mod. 317 .22 Revolver.The .22 shot does not reliably work the action in my.22 Autos.
I have found that the shorter barrels are, the better pattern you get.I don't understand the post about 6 Feet. I don't get that close if I don't have to! Try some paper plates at various ranges to check patterns of whatever you're going to use,you might be surprised at the good patterns!In the last two years I have not used anything on snakes around the home place bigger than .22 LR.The largest snake I have killed with the Mod.317 was an Eastern Diamondback at just shy of 6 ft.I usually shoot for the head and although I generally don't need more than one shot I usually use 2 or 3 to make sure.Remember, those rascals can still bite after you sever their heads so I try to bury the head ASAP to prevent hurt to dogs and rubberneckers in the 'hood. Nick

 

[kwselke]

I've used the CCI and my hand loaded shot in .44, they are every effective. I have some .45 ACP all brass Remington snake shot that I've function tested in my Colt 1911, but I've never had a chance to snake test it.

 

[hangnoose]

SNAKE SHOT

the 22 calibers won't cycle my ruger semi, but it's so accurate if I take careful aim first or even spray and pray it works with normal ammo. the 40 & 45 acp work fine in my sig 239 & 220 (cci brand), and as always in a revolver it's not an issue. I never seem to take my 9mm to the field. usually it's the 22, 357, or 45acp. you need to be careful of ricochets with those snake loads. a buddy & I both got our beer guts peppered from cci #9 357 snake shot bouncing off wet cardboard at app 20'. we never felt a thing but both noticed a "rash" later on our bellies, no holes in our shirts. I wouldn't want to have to find out the hard way if they would penetrate a big rattler. the largest we got was 7'. ANY shotgun would be better imo. I never carry a sidearm in the field without at least 1 snake round first. better than nothing. the largest game I ever got with snake shot was a mouse in an old appt: with 22 shot DRT!

 

[CGhelofxr]

Hmm,maybe this falls under shoot,shovel and shh?

Filet and release, i mean uh nevermind

 

[finesse_r]

I have some home made snake shot for a .38. I rarely carry them with me but they have been used to dispatch snakes and mice in the barn. The one I have left are over 20 years old, but I expect they are still good to go.

 

[JPriest]

Unless it is an immediate threat to your life or your livestock or is "harassing or worrying livestock", in which case the game warden said I was ok to shoot them. BTW the definition of harassing or worrying is quite broad. Also in other odd Colorado facts, honeybees are considered livestock.

I supposed all they need is for one of your livestock to sign a complaint of harassment after the fact and then you'd be OK.

 

[kennyb]

give the new S&W governor some thought...