{"id":405995,"date":"2023-08-09T09:00:24","date_gmt":"2023-08-09T14:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/?p=405995"},"modified":"2025-08-04T13:48:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T18:48:27","slug":"top-5-snake-shot-loads","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunmagwarehouse.com\/blog\/top-5-snake-shot-loads\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Snake Shot Loads"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you live in a region plagued by snakes\u2014or visit them now and again\u2014you might have wondered about the usefulness of snake shot. Snake shot can be quite useful when it comes to dispatching rattlesnakes and other potentially dangerous, but tiny creatures. We\u2019ve done the legwork for you by narrowing it down to a selection of snake shot loads in various calibers to help you on your way to pest control where you hunt or live (or both). Check out our top five list, which is written in no particular order.<\/p>\n

\"CCI
CCI’s 22 LR shotshell is designed for pest control and has proven itself time and again. (Photo credit: CCI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CCI Rimfire Shotshell .22 LR<\/h3>\n

Guns chambered in .22 LR<\/a> are rather popular for handling snakes, whether they\u2019re traditional handguns or derringers (and the occasional long gun). They do require a bit more precise shot placement than larger calibers, but that doesn\u2019t render them ineffective. In fact, .22 LR can be preferable for shooting snakes and other small pests because there\u2019s almost no felt recoil or muzzle rise. Accuracy can then be easier to attain and follow-up shots are far simpler to accomplish with precision and speed.<\/p>\n

CCI Rimfire Shotshell .22 LR ammo<\/a> is considered the gold standard among many, partly due to the fantastic quality of the brand of ammo, and partly because it has a proven history of reliable performance. These rounds have a 31-grain weight and are filled with #12 steel shot. According to CCI, this ammunition produces a muzzle velocity of 1000 fps and delivers reliable, consistent patterns, lethal to most snakes with proper shot placement. Do take note that it\u2019s important to be familiar with how your specific gun patterns with this ammunition in advance. It takes a moment for the pellets to spread, and just how tight that pattern is depends on the gun and the distance at the time.<\/p>\n

\"cci
Have a 9mm handgun? Then there’s a snake shot for you. (Photo credit: CCI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CCI Pest Control 9mm<\/a><\/h3>\n

As you might have guessed, CCI produces a lot of the snake shot on the market today. These rounds are made for 9mm guns and give you a larger payload than you get with the much smaller 22 LR. They have a 53-grain weight and are filled with #12 steel shot. CCI lists the muzzle velocity of these rounds at 1450 fps, making them a fantastic option for shooters who prefer 9mm for pest control and for those who want one gun that does it all (for example, self-defense and snake defense). Just remember which ammo is in your gun, because you don\u2019t want to find yourself depending on snake shot against a two-legged predator.<\/p>\n

\"winchester
Unlike some 22 LR snake shot, these Winchester Super X loads have a brass case and a star crimp to contain the pellets. (Photo credit: Winchester)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Winchester<\/a> Pest Control Super-X 22 LR<\/h3>\n

If a lighter weight .22 LR is more your speed for snakes, check out Winchester Pest Control Super-X .22 LR. These 25-grain shot shells are easy to keep on target during rapid fire and cycle reliably. They\u2019re made with brass cases and designated for small game and predator use. Basically, although these shot shells are typically marketed for snakes, they\u2019re effective on other tiny pests such as squirrels and rabbits. Winchester loads them with #12 steel shot, which is a popular size for snake control, and lists them as having a muzzle velocity of 1255 fps, which makes them a bit faster than many other .22 LR snake shot options currently on the market.<\/p>\n

Winchester utilizes a star crimp on this snake shot to keep the #12 shot contained. The Super-X line in general has been in the market for more than a century and is well established for stellar performance and reliable results.<\/p>\n

\"aguila
Aguila’s RATA 22 LR snake shot uses #10 shot, which is a bit larger than the #12 shot often used in this caliber of snake shot. (Photo credit: Aguila)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Aguila Ammunition .22 LR RATA Pest Control<\/h3>\n

At 20 grains, this might be the lightest snake shot on the market. That means it travels at greater velocities than some .22 LR snake shot, although it\u2019s not going to produce quite as much energy. Even so, it\u2019s shown itself as brutally effective on venomous snakes. Aguila<\/a> loads their RATA Pest Control .22 LR with #10 shot, which is a bit larger than #12 shot. That translates to the ability to create larger wound cavities on target which can mean quicker eradication of dangerous pests.<\/p>\n

Take the time to try out your snake shot in the gun you\u2019d like to use it with before<\/em> you find yourself facing a snake. Not all guns handle all ammunition the same way, and it\u2019s important for you to verify the ammo\u2019s performance and reliable cycling in advance of it being needed in a potentially dire situation.<\/p>\n

\"cci
CCI also makes a snake shot load for the 44 Special that packs quite a punch. (Photo credit: CCI)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CCI Pest Control Big 4 Shotshell .44 Special<\/h3>\n

Want to go a little bigger? Here\u2019s the good news: there are larger shotshells available. The CCI Pest Control Big 4 Shotshell in .44 Special is great for revolver lovers and is also quite effective, even if your shot placement isn\u2019t as precise as you\u2019d like. At 110 grains, these loads are significantly larger and heavier than many others which also makes them ideal for larger snakes and assorted pests. Even better, they\u2019re filled with #4 shot, which has far more bulk than #12. If you have the ability to run a .44 Special as your snake gun, these are the shotshells you want.<\/p>\n

According to CCI, these shotshells deliver a muzzle velocity of 1000 fps and muzzle energy of 244 ft-lbs. The cartridge cases are manufactured from aluminum, and these are not lead-free rounds. CCI Big 4 ammo gives shooters better range and the ability to effectively stop a venomous threat without the need for quite as much precision as .22 LR demands.<\/p>\n

How do you shoot a snake?<\/h3>\n

Although you might think a headshot is a must for removing the threat of a venomous snake, most body shots work, too, as long as they do enough damage. Regardless of where you shoot a venomous snake, it\u2019s important to understand that they remain venomous and the heads can still do damage, even after the snake\u2019s death. Always use caution when dealing with the head and fangs of a venomous snake and understand the risk isn\u2019t just fang-to-skin contact but any spraying of venom onto your skin or into your eyes. Use care when discarding a snake\u2019s head.<\/p>\n

It’s a popular thing to get snake hides made into inserts for holsters or belts, and if you plan to do that it helps to know how to skin a snake. If you\u2019re sending a snake\u2019s entire body to a holster maker, though, you\u2019ll probably be asked to remove and discard the head beforehand. This is a smart safety precaution and one that only takes a moment to accomplish. The same precaution should be taken if you want to remove the rattles as a keepsake: steer clear of the head and fangs, and don\u2019t assume you can\u2019t be hurt anymore just because the snake is technically dead. Finally, get some practice. When the adrenaline is pumping and you\u2019re on edge, aiming and firing accurately can be a challenge. Be sure to practice with your snake shot before you need it. After all, practice makes perfect, right?<\/p>\n\t

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