# What size 12 ga shot for a snake? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 22, 2009, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546 "2009-06-22T02:15:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/21 "2009-06-22T19:46:16Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > What, because somebody killed a _venomous snake_ in their own garden? No,because I said “clip” instead of “magazine.” Yet again, I am the Poster Child for Ignorance. 🙂 Mrs. Plant was standing behind me yelling, “the head is moving! Shoot the head!” I thought I could hit a quarter size target at eight feet, but not when it’s moving like that. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/22 "2009-06-22T20:17:35Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > \*\*What size 12 ga shot for a snake? \*\* As light as possible; it’s hard for snakes to handle the recoil without thumbs. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/23 "2009-06-22T20:27:54Z")
> [@Zsofia](#): > > What, because somebody killed a _venomous snake_ in their own garden? Now, I get upset when people chop the heads off harmless vermin-eating reptiles with hoes, but I have no problem with killing the crap out of a lethally venomous animal that’s hanging out where I like to dig around in the dirt. I think it’s safe to say that using a standard .45 cal for such a job qualifies as silly as well as dangerous. That’s a whole lot of power and those bullets travel far. Also the “I freaked as I always do and gave him the rest of the clip” response doesn’t inspire confidence in the owners ability to safely own and operate the weapon. It hearkens to a Homer-esque attitude to gun ownership. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/24 "2009-06-22T20:30:52Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I think it’s safe to say that using a standard .45 cal for such a job qualifies as silly as well as dangerous. Impractical, at any rate. Now I know to use No. 8 in the shotgun. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gravitycrash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@gravitycrash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gravitycrash)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/25 "2009-06-22T21:51:08Z")
It’s been a snake filled year here also. I guess it has something to do with the mild winter. I try to leave non- poisonous snakes alone even though they scare the crap out of me but Copper heads and moccasins get the shotgun. It might be different if they were endangered but they are nearly as common as squirrels around here. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/26 "2009-06-22T21:54:14Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > [Taurus Judge](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taurus_Judge). There you go. [This would work better, I think](http://damox.com/cars/wallpaper/Pontiac/1969_Pontiac_GTO_Judge_large.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/27 "2009-06-22T22:06:27Z")
[Dragon’s Breath.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon%27s_Breath) It has the added benefit of roasting the snake so you can eat it afterwards. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/28 "2009-06-22T22:06:59Z")
> [@KneadToKnow](#): > > [This would work better, I think](http://damox.com/cars/wallpaper/Pontiac/1969_Pontiac_GTO_Judge_large.jpg) More fun and better for penile compensation too! ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/29 "2009-06-22T22:14:30Z")
Use a .410, a lot of companies even make ‘.410 snake charmers’ for this very purpose. I advocate a pump action .410 for snakes, loaded with birdshot. You can also get the Taurus Judge (as mentioned earlier in this thread), I’ve heard positive things about it from a fellow at the range who injured his left hand/arm and cannot support any weight with it, and has had snake problems around his home in the country, but I have no personal experience. > [@Omniscient](#): > > More fun and better for penile compensation too! I’m quite certain that it isn’t more fun. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/30 "2009-06-22T22:23:16Z")
> [@Todderbob](#): > > I’m quite certain that it isn’t more fun. I’m quite certain the muscle car attracts more ladies than the gun. The faster the better. Women and car, natch. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/31 "2009-06-22T22:26:16Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I’m quite certain the muscle car attracts more ladies than the gun. The faster the better. You mean to tell me that women are _not_ impressed when I tell them I can shoot my whole gun off in under 60 seconds? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/32 "2009-06-22T22:29:15Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I’m quite certain the muscle car attracts more ladies than the gun. The faster the better. Women and car, natch. I’m still quite certain that firearms are more fun than cars. As to whether or not they attract women – neither cars nor guns are necessary for me to attract women. ---
**Author:** ![Covered\_In\_Bees](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ab992/32.png) [@Covered\_In\_Bees](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covered_In_Bees)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/33 "2009-06-22T22:30:24Z")
> [@](#): > > neither cars nor guns are necessary for me to attract women. Sick burn! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/34 "2009-06-22T22:30:49Z")
> [@Covered\_In\_Bees](#): > > You mean to tell me that women are _not_ impressed when I tell them I can shoot my whole gun off in under 60 seconds? 😕 Rule 34, my friend. ---
**Author:** ![Todderbob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e47774/32.png) [@Todderbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Todderbob)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/35 "2009-06-22T23:13:29Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > Rule 34, my friend. Rule 34 only applies to porn to be found on the internet. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/36 "2009-06-23T02:25:34Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > The anti-gun lobby can bookmark this thread when it comes time to revive the argument for responsible gun ownership. No need. Do you think the anti guns believe everybody on this board is absolutely safe at all times with their guns, like they claim? Do you think we believe that all their kids have been completely schooled in gun usage and gun danger and they will never make a mistake? We know it is BS. Gun owners are as responsible as car owners. They come in all kinds and levels of respect . That is just reality. ---
**Author:** ![PlainJain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5daacb/32.png) [@PlainJain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlainJain)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/37 "2009-06-23T02:50:56Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I shot a copper head near Mrs. Plant’s car with a .45 tonight. I hit him the first or second time, but when he started wriggling I freaked as I always do and gave him the rest of the clip. I can’t hear too well at the moment. All I’ve got for the shotgun are target rounds. Target rounds? Having shot a few snakes with a shotgun I can tell you that any load will work well if you are close enough. And ‘close enough’ won’t put you close enough to be in danger. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/38 "2009-06-23T03:02:24Z")
> [@PlainJain](#): > > Target rounds? Having shot a few snakes with a shotgun I can tell you that any load will work well if you are close enough. And ‘close enough’ won’t put you close enough to be in danger. Thanks, the 12 gauge next time with No. 8 target. I hit him or really pissed him off the first time, split him open the second, and let Mrs. Plant out of the house. She was frightened that it was moving. I told her it was nerves, but she was afraid to let me pick it up. “The head is still moving! Shoot the head!” I figured I could hit a quarter size target at eight feet, but it was wriggling quite a bit. The part of the body behind the shot that tore it open wasn’t wriggling, so I thought if I could hit the head it would stop and Mrs. Plant would stop screaming. It took another five rounds. The shotgun will be a lot easier next time. Thanks, all. Memo to self: Do not tell Mrs. Plant when I kill something. ---
**Author:** ![dynamitedave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ed655f/32.png) [@dynamitedave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dynamitedave)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 9:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/39 "2009-06-23T09:29:45Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Memo to self: Do not tell Mrs. Plant when I kill something. Dude, she’s going to know if you’re using either a 12 ga or 45 😛 ---
**Author:** ![VunderBob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/839c29/32.png) [@VunderBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VunderBob)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2009, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546/40 "2009-06-23T12:04:27Z")
I have a S&W 686 with .38 snake loads, and a 12 gauge handy for all the copperheads. My favorite anti-snake weapon, however, is my machete. I chop the hiss out of 'em. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-size-12-ga-shot-for-a-snake/500546.md?page=3)