Shotshells and J-frames

M

MRH

New member
I'm curious whether a .38 shotshell out of a 1-7/8" J-frame S&W would be an effective round for rattlesnakes at anything more than the snake's striking distance. I suppose I could go out and shoot some, but it's too hot to leave the office and I haven't seen any snakes anyway.

Any experiences?
 
Shot some (long time ago -- Charter Arms Undercover) but they seemed to give an effective pattern out to 8-10 ft.
 
Have tested my S&W 442 (about a 2" bbl) at targets taped to a box at about six feet. The shot pattern was "tight enough" to take out a snake plus the shot capsule itself put a big hole in the target. The capsules are adequate at "self-defense" ranges for snakes. Out on the trail I load up two shot and three hollow points... just in case. Snakes never travel far so if they're not right in my yard I just let them go.
 
Rezdog touches on a point of caution. The shot capsules can come back and get you or some other innocent. Even the .22 shot capsules can draw blood....or put an eye out.

Sam
 
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