Patterning .22wmr snake shot

[GunnyGene]

Didn't have a snake handy, so used a cereal box. This is a one handed, one shot at approx 6 ft from the muzzle at about a 45* down angle to simulate a shot on copperhead or other snake.

The gun and ammo: 3.5" Rough Rider. Patterned a little low & left, but that's my fault. Still gudnuf I think.

 

[s4s4u]

That oughta leave a mark, or few, on 'em ;)

 

[GunnyGene]

That oughta leave a mark, or few, on 'em ;)

Which is why I much prefer the wmr shells to the lr shells. Nearly twice the number of pellets in the same size pattern as you get with lr. :)

 

[peachhead]

They are hell on Carpenter bees too.

 

[el caminero]

At the same 6 feet, i have seen almost half that size pattern with a bobbed 3" barrel and lr shot in a buffalo scout cousin. Less spread from less rifling length? old crimped-mouth case; plastic cci was just starting a donut pattern, it really caught the short rifling? 3 rounds of each, is not a definitive evaluation...

 

[GunnyGene]

At the same 6 feet, i have seen almost half that size pattern with a bobbed 3" barrel and lr shot in a buffalo scout cousin. Less spread from less rifling length? old crimped-mouth case; plastic cci was just starting a donut pattern, it really caught the short rifling? 3 rounds of each, is not a definitive evaluation...

"Less spread from less rifling length?" Yes. Which is why I've been looking for a 2"snubby locally. Taurus makes one, but they are scarce locally, and I don't buy guns on line. A smoothbore would be the ideal solution, but I haven't found anyone who makes a smoothbore revolver. Henry has a smoothbore .22lr rifle (Garden Gun), but that would be awkward to carry around.

 

[6GUNSONLY]

I think smoothbore pistols are illegal?

 

[David Lee Valdina]

I ran lapping compound through a 1911 barrel until just a trace of rifling was left. Very visible. Acted like a smoothbore. And the .45 acp shot rounds have a crimped end, no plastic capsules, so I could get really good coverage at a longer distance. I had it in Texas visiting a friend and hunting his property. He said he had many snakes around but none showed up.

If you wanted a dedicated snake handgun I would suggest you experiment with smoothing out the barrel of a .22 magnum. Like I did, just leave a visible trace of the rifling. And another thought, there is nothing in the law/regulations about the twist of the rifling, so a non-twist straight line rifling would be legal and print good shot patterns.

 

[el caminero]

I ran lapping compound through a 1911 barrel until just a trace of rifling was left. Very visible. Acted like a smoothbore. And the .45 acp shot rounds have a crimped end, no plastic capsules, so I could get really good coverage at a longer distance. I had it in Texas visiting a friend and hunting his property. He said he had many snakes around but none showed up.

If you wanted a dedicated snake handgun I would suggest you experiment with smoothing out the barrel of a .22 magnum. Like I did, just leave a visible trace of the rifling. And another thought, there is nothing in the law/regulations about the twist of the rifling, so a non-twist straight line rifling would be legal and print good shot patterns.

I have heard that over the years, and no official denunciation of such technicalities implies tacit approval of the letter vs the intent of the law

 

[GunnyGene]

I have heard that over the years, and no official denunciation of such technicalities implies tacit approval of the letter vs the intent of the law

A barrel extension with straight line rifling is available for the Contender.

 

[el caminero]

A barrel extension with straight line rifling is available for the Contender.

View attachment 72623

I thought i remembered something like that