Rattlesnake ballistics test anyone?

[okrattler]

Originally Posted by Gary Roberson

I stepped out of my pickup on the ranch in southern Medina County last Saturday morning and heard the "tick" of a rattler. About 4 feet away was the largest rattlesnake I have ever seen in a pasture and the largest rattler I have seen since the late 60's. I never saw his head as it was already under an impenetrable wall of white brush so dense that you could not crawl under, so don't know how long she was. Son Steve and I did get a good visual of the body it was almost the same diameter as a roll of toilet paper and based on the length of what we saw, I would guess the snake to be over 6 feet in length. I saw one bigger in '68 or '69 when cousin Ron Outlaw and where driving from Laredo to Devine at almost midnight on IH 35. I thought there was a cedar post lying in the left hand lane and then realized it was a rattler stretch from almost the center stripe to the shoulder. In those days, there was not as much traffic as there is today, especially at the late hour.
I scrambled for my Ruger 57 last Saturday but I never had a shot. Snakes are really crawling right now, be careful.
Adios,
Gary

I have buddies that snake hunt down in your part of the country Gary. From the description you gave of the diameter of the body it was no doubt 80+ inches long. I've seen several that they've caught over the years that were that big around or close to it and weren't none of 'em less than 6 foot.

He was moving for a reason. Them big snakes don't get big from waiting for a fight. They're kinda like those old coyotes. They don't get that way from being careless. You'll notice that a lot of times. Those bigguns like that will try to crawl away fast if they can do it.

[Big pig]

Originally Posted by El Paisano

I have killed several copperheads and coral snakes with the 22 and the crimped rat shot cartridges. They took more than one shot.
On the other hand, I don't recall ever taking more than one shot with my 38 shotshells, and I have killed a bunch with them. I loaded them myself using the old yellow Speer capsules (in the 70's). I probably used #8 shot.

No offense but hoe or machete is cheaper.

[Big pig]

I like the 38’s in my .357

No offense but hoe or machete is cheaper.