The Best Python/ Nile Monitor Handgun?

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Texas Star

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We haven't had a bear or shark gun thread this week. Let's have a python topic.

With the exceptions of Frikkie and Peter (both in South Africa), I think the only members here likely to see any pythons are in Florida, where careless pet owners have released so many Burmese pythons into the wild that they have breeding populations, and the snakes are becoming 'way too common. Ditto for Nile monitor lizards, so let's include them, too.

Both can dangerous to humans and pets. Children are especially vulnerable.

I'm sure that some wag will vote for a Colt Python for this job, and it'd work, I'm sure.

Actually, a medium-frame .357 Magnum would probably be my choice, and I'd load .357 ammo, too. Probably the Federal 158 grain Hydra-Shook ammo that I usually shoot in that caliber. But I'd feel pretty well protected by Plus P .38 ammo, too, if I got a good head shot. I think the trauma induced by the Speer 125 or 135 grain Short Barrel loads would penetrate the skulls of either animal and probably fritz the brain. Similar stuff from other ammo companies should also suffice. Federal's 129 grain JHP .38 is the lightest load that I'd feel fairly comfortable with.

I think any handgun of .38 Special or heavier caliber will work, inc. 9mm. But reptiles are tenacious of life, so I'm opting for the .357 for added shock and killing power. In particular, if you have to pop a Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) through the shoulder or another body shot, that lizard might carry more lead than you'd think. Remember, those buggers can exceed eight feet! And they have a nasty bite that tends to become infected. I definitely wouldn't let kids play outside where they are known to be. Same for the pythons. (I can't recall the species name for the Burmese variety and haven't time to look it up. If you need that, just Search under Burmese Python.) The one that Frikkie and Peter may see is the African Rock Python, which typically has a bad temper. Again, the scientific name escapes me at the moment, but no other species will be confused with it there.

Keeping the discussion on HANDGUNS, what'd be your choice to deal with these imported threats? Have any of our Florida members seen either yet?

If Bear Bio or another scientist sees this, do you know how strong their skulls are? What might it take to be sure of full penetration?

Keep in mind that the monitor lizard has sharp claws and a tail that can sting rather badly, in adition to those awful teeth.
 
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The issue with any of these snakes will not be penetration as the skull of a snake is not heavily constructed. However, the brains are small and hitting that little bit of grey matter will be a issue. I've killed a pile of snakes... but none of the exotics. I figure they'll die about the same as similar size domestic snakes. A .44 Mag. w/ any kind of load will unzip the most oversized snake that ever held it's forked tongue out to test the air. A .22 LR will also settle their hash. You just can't get away with blowing them in half (ha!!!) as with a .44 Magnum. Personally I routinely carry a .357 loaded with 158 gr. LSWC's. These loads will kill anything that needs killing in the S.E. United States whether it have legs or just slither along on the ground. Now... occasionally I've been known to carry a nice little .44 Special... specifically a 21-4 loaded with 200 gr. Gold Dots. I like that load. It is pure poison on anything and everything that might need to stop breathing. It is easy to control and will chop a nice hole completely through any of the above... be it import or domestic.
 
The problem is your talking about two different animals. The monitor can move fast and a snakes head moves considerably making them both difficult targets.

I have shot snakes with 357 birdshot and it worked. Problem is you have to get real close. Too close. So 44 mag birdshot would work better. But birdshot probably won't work on the monitor.

I'm just guessing but I think a good long stick holding the snake's head down and then shoot for the head might work.

As far as the monitor, you might have to get a head shot there too.

Hard decision. A revolver with alternating bird shot and fmj might work. But I think I would carry a hicap 9MM.
 
For one time I am glad to live in Holland. The only snakes overhere are in the Zoo, Shop or safe kept in a collection of snakelovers.
 
Kanewpadle said:
The problem is your talking about two different animals. The monitor can move fast and a snakes head moves considerably making them both difficult targets.

I have shot snakes with 357 birdshot and it worked. Problem is you have to get real close. Too close. So 44 mag birdshot would work better. But birdshot probably won't work on the monitor.

I'm just guessing but I think a good long stick holding the snake's head down and then shoot for the head might work.

As far as the monitor, you might have to get a head shot there too.

Hard decision. A revolver with alternating bird shot and fmj might work. But I think I would carry a hicap 9MM.
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My limited exposure to pythons in a pet shop and what I've seen at zoos makes me wonder if one can hold down the head of a big one with a stick. The effects from an Emerald Tree Boa bite on a man's hand was pretty scary. And it was only about five feet long. The grown Burmese python probably reaches at least 25 feet in large examples.

I did once write a fan fiction story in which a scientist and his girlfriend pushed off their canoe into a tributary of the Amazon, only to discover a lance-headed pit viper similar to the Fer-de-Lance was coiled in a pile of leaves under one seat in the canoe. Both wore revolvers, but were afraid that a bullet would pierce the bottom of the canoe. So he held down the head briefly with a paddle while she used a machete to behead the snake. (It was Bothrops asper, for any snake enthusiasts.)

Then, she stuck the head with the machete and flipped it overboard, followed by the body, assisted with the paddle. There was a bloody swirl in the water, and Prof. Challenger said, "Turtle. A big one."

It was a pretty good scene, I thought, and plausible. I realized later that native canoes usually don't have seats, but the snake could still have been hiding in a pile of leaves in the boat. Hey: it was a better scene than Hollywood would probably have managed with the same material, and more believable. :D

We now return you to the real world.

I wonder if a neck hit with a bullet or a cross body or shoulder shot on the monitor would work, ar least eventually, in the case of the body shots.
 
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Texas Star said:
My limited exposure to pythons in a pet shop and what I've seen at zoos makes me wonder if one can hold down the head of a big one with a stick. The effects from an Emerald Tree Boa bite on a man's hand was pretty scary. And it was only about five feet long. The grown Burmese python probably reaches at least 25 feet in large examples.

I did once write a fan fiction story in which a scientist and his girlfriend pushed off their canoe into a tributary of the Amazon, only to discover a lance-headed pit viper similar to the Fer-de-Lance was coiled in a pile of leaves under one seat in the canoe. Both wore revolvers, but were afraid that a bullet would pierce the bottom of the canoe. So he held down the head briefly with a paddle while she used a machete to behead the snake. (It was Bothrops asper, for any snake enthusiasts.)

Then, she stuck the head with the machete and flipped it overboard, followed by the body, assisted with the paddle. There was a bloody swirl in the water, and Prof. Challenger said, "Turtle. A big one."

It was a pretty good scene, I thought, and plausible. I realized later that native canoes usually don't have seats, but the snake could still have been hiding in a pile of leaves in the boat. Hey: it was a better scene than Hollywood would probably have managed with the same material, and more believable. :D

We now return you to the real world.

I wonder if a neck hit with a bullet or a cross body or shoulder shot on the monitor would work, ar least eventually, in the case of the body shots.
Click to expand...

You wouldn't be able to hold him down long for sure. You'd have to be quick about it.;):eek:
 
Kanewpadle said:
You wouldn't be able to hold him down long for sure. You'd have to be quick about it.;):eek:
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Yeah. And be careful not to get "wrapped up" in what you were doing! :eek: :D (Pythons are constrictors, after all.)

In the, "Lost World" fan fic, Challenger had enough trouble with that lance- headed viper, telling Finn to act quickly with her machete. He pointed out that snakes are quite muscular and hard to pin down, at least under those circumstances, and warned her to chop hard, to sever the head in a stroke or two. (She had by then exchanged her crossbow from the show for a .38, or I guess she could try the bow, although it, too, might have pierced the hull. But I'm by no means sure that the crossbow bolt would suffice in one shot. I saw a screencap of the bolt head and it was the same diameter as the shaft.)

I got to thinking about using a knife on a big snake, after seeing some lurid jungle comic books as a teen. I figured that if I had a knife with about a seven-inch blade, I could shove it up under a python's head and get the brain or spinal cord, no doubt saving a cute jungle princess in the process. (This was much more fun in class than really studying. I also managed to read Jim Corbett's tiger hunting books in study hall.)

Does anyone else recall those comic book and mens' magazine covers that so often featured a damsel in distress, menaced by natives, big cats, snakes, etc., with a Tarzan-like hero coming to the rescue? I guess they aren't PC these days. I haven't seen those in years.

P.S. Also in my youth, a bird flew in our back door, and was trying to evade the cat. I tried to herd it back out, using the blade of a G.W. Stone knife about like the Randall Model 1, if you know the style. I swiped at it, missed, and the blade flew through that bird like there was almost no resistance at all! It was cut right in two. But I think a snake or big lizard neck would be more muscular. But I do think that Finn's machete would suffice, although she used two whacks in my fic.

I mentioned Jim Corbett's true tiger hunting tales. In them, he mentioned being afraid of Indian pythons lying on the bottom of streams up near the foothills of the Himalayas. He was definitely afraid of them, and was charged by a king cobra at which he'd been throwing rocks. Fortunately, one rock connected solidly before the snake reached him.
 
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COL Jagdog said:
The best way to kill a Nile monitor lizard: Throw it a small poodle to keep it occupied (and keep it's head still) -- then several shots to the head and shoulder with a Model 27.

I have eaten iguana but never tried Nile monitor -- could be gumbo material.
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I speculated about that in another fic, noting that iguanas are largely vegetarian, while monitors are exclusively carnivores. I wonder if that affects the flavor of the meat. I realize that Australian aborigines eat Monitors, calling them "goannas".

What if you shot an elephant and used that meat in a Cajun stew? Would it be called Jumbo Gumbo?

Clearly, I need to take a break and get a haircut, which I was supposed to do yesterday. :D

I'll check in later. Keep the kettle boiling. I want a cup of tea when I return.
 
Well I know you wanted to keep it to handguns BUT:D

There are no handguns or caliber that would be useful for either animal.

Yes,I have seen a Nile Monitor but not a Python (in the wild) here.

For the snakes in the Glades you can not use a firearm to kill them anyway.

Another BUT, if you could, you are very unlikely to actually see one. The vegetation is so dense and the snakes can be in a trees, grass or underwater. If you do happen to see one, the chance of a pistol shot is nil. Folks do not realize how vast and diverse the Glades are, these snakes get so big, they eat alligators.
Folks in Louisiana will have a good idea.

For the Lizards, they are so fast that again, a handgun is useless. One was cornered in a persons garage, Fire Dept was called, big fearless kind of guys, Approached the garage and the Monitor decided to bolt, Firefighters all scrambled as the Lizard hauled butt and ran across the canal (yes, on top of the water) and was gone in the brush in seconds.

Your best bet is a SHOTGUN, preferably 12 gauge semi auto!

We now have evasive Lionfish in the Gulf and they eat anything and everything. Nothing eats them.:( Also have found the Asian Tiger Shrimp (Prawn)
 
handejector said:
Of course it would.
All the cajuns I know speak swahili.
:p
Click to expand...

We call it Creole but at night, when the drums begin to beat,
and the indigenous people are restless, and the faint sounds of rhythymic tribal singing carry into the camp while we are playing boure' and drinking the last of the good Scotch, why
yes, it does sound like Swahili. That must be how I ended up with two additional brides on my last trip to Mozambique.:D
 
Back before they were protected my grandfather here in the Adirondacks would go and collect rattlesnakes for the $5 a head bounty, there is one place so populated with them that it was named Tongue Mountain. He would carry only his .22 Colt Woodsman and routinely dispatch them with that before tossing them in a burlap sack. While not a python, a rattlesnake is still no animal to trifle with but like some have already said, they don't have a very thick skull. I am not sure about the lizard, here in NY the only one's we get are from NYC or Jersey on the weekends, but I would probably carry my Model 27 with SWC or cast HP which has served me well so far.
 
These are snakes and lizards are'nt they?
Anything that goes boom is gonna kill one with a head shot.
.12 gauge with #6's full choke.......
What was the question again ????


Chuck
 
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