Rattlesnake, not one but two

123RedBeard said:

I do reload & cast my own boolits too ... So 357 mag is actually cheaper to shoot than buying 22 bird/rat shot ... And since I carry a self defense gun with me anyways ... It needs to be enough gun for two legged or mountain lions too!

Here is the skin of the one I showed earlier fried!


Gun is 44 Mag!

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Well that makes sense.

We only worry about rattlesnakes when picking wild dewberries (for jelly and cobblers) and in our garden. I've found them in our smaller raised beds but it's in our larger crops (corn, okra, peas, cantaloupe and watermelon) out in the fields that we're most concerned about. Every couple years we'll find them in our yard but for the most part not around the house.

LeafBlade12345 said:

http://patch.com/california/losgatos/bp--the-baby-rattlesnake-bite-debate

This is a good link on the subject. (Be aware that I have no control over the ads on this site, so be warned that some things may not be child appropriate.) I think I should have been more clear. The venom of a baby rattler is slightly more toxic than that of an adult, but more fatalities occur with adults than with juveniles. This thread expresses well and in more context. A very interesting conversation indeed! I always like a good debate, as long as it stays civil.

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I can't prove either way and yes it's an interesting read. One thing for sure, I don't want to be bit by any snake much less a rattlesnake.

123RedBeard said:

I do reload & cast my own boolits too ... So 357 mag is actually cheaper to shoot than buying 22 bird/rat shot ... And since I carry a self defense gun with me anyways ... It needs to be enough gun for two legged or mountain lions too!

Here is the skin of the one I showed earlier fried!


Gun is 44 Mag!

Click to expand...

You're quite right! .22 is expensive and still rather hard to find. I haven't been able to replace the bird shot I've used so far this year. I might experiment with trying to make up snake loads for my .44

We always bought our rat shot at Wal-mart but now it's hard to find there so we've had to order it online. It must be popular because I had to search and search for a site that wasn't sold out. The first time we bought it online I ordered it from Gander Mountain.

I think Speer makes the little blue capsule that allows you to reload your own shot loads ... Never bought any, as just the plastic capsule is expensive ... Then you need (or should use tiny shot, like #12!) smallest I load for in my shotgun is #6 ... Too big for a handgun snake/rat shot load ...

I load my own lead slugs for about $0.05 each ... I melt lead wheel weights for the cost of propane, and pick up the ww's for free!

I think I may have a few 22 mag rat shot left, but don't usually carry that gun ... As when out in the desert hunting ... I'm already carrying atleast two other guns ... I've only had to shoot two snakes while out hunting, and they both died with what I had in my hand at the moment ... I'm happy to let them go, if they give me a chance to get away ... At home, it's a differnt story!