What's an appropriate caliber to shoot aligators?

July 17, 2011 19:01

For some unknown reason my wife started watching Swamp People on tv this weekend. These guys are killing Gators with .22's, .22 Magnums, and .17 Horniday Magnums. I am thinking I would prefer something bigger and also a substantial handgun for a backup. Seems to be getting the job done but what would you use?

Comments

10 comments

CapnMidnight

July 17, 2011 19:08
It's all about the hide, and not putting any big holes in it.
W.D.
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slumlord44

July 17, 2011 19:20
I am considering it. Was watching it at daughters house for some reason and she got hooked. If I had been watching it at home she would have went to the bedroom and watched something else. Scarry thing is I am starting to like it. I get the thing about holes in the hide but one hole should not matter much.
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williwm

July 17, 2011 19:56
Laws vary. In Alabama only a shotgun with #4 or smaller shot or bangsticks of .38 cal. or larger may be used. Gators must be captured and brought under control before shooting. No bait may be used. Only nighttime hunting.
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beantownshootah

July 17, 2011 22:03
quote:For some unknown reason my wife started watching Swamp People on tv this weekend. These guys are killing Gators with .22's, .22 Magnums, and .17 Horniday Magnums. I am thinking I would prefer something bigger and also a substantial handgun for a backup. Seems to be getting the job done but what would you use?
If attacked, whatever was available.

If hunting, whatever was legal.

quote:It's all about the hide, and not putting any big holes in it.
In that case, something like this ought to work pretty well:
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Wolf.

July 17, 2011 22:36
I have never hunted alligators, however, I don't think I would be comfortable shooting them with rimfire ammunition. A centerfire .22 like the .223 Remington/5.56x45 would be okay. But, I think some .30 caliber round like a .30-30 Win. or probably my choice would be a 7.62x39 from a carbine model SKS.

Having said that, it seems that if people are taking them regularly with .17 or .22 caliber weapons, that should go to show how easy they are to get close to, hence kill. In other words, is sounds like there is not much sport in getting up on them and firing a round into their head.

Maybe that is why, as someone stated, one state law is that they have to be "captured and brought under control" before shooting them. That sounds like it could be messy on both sides.
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Alan Rushing

July 18, 2011 00:21
What ever is legal.

What ever you can harvest them with reasonably safely and effectively.

What ever does not tend to waste hide. [:)]
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Grasshopper

July 18, 2011 02:55
Perhaps your wife and daughter are a "liken" those brothers there guy,,,be careful![:I]
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beantownshootah

July 18, 2011 07:04
quote:Originally posted by Wolf.
I have never hunted alligators, however, I don't think I would be comfortable shooting them with rimfire ammunition. A centerfire .22 like the .223 Remington/5.56x45 would be okay. But, I think some .30 caliber round like a .30-30 Win. or probably my choice would be a 7.62x39 from a carbine model SKS.

Having said that, it seems that if people are taking them regularly with .17 or .22 caliber weapons, that should go to show how easy they are to get close to, hence kill. In other words, is sounds like there is not much sport in getting up on them and firing a round into their head.

I'd argue that ALL the "sport" is getting up close enough to them to shoot them in the head with a small caliber gun!

To answer the question a little more seriously than above, if you told me to go kill an alligator, and I could use any gun I liked, I'd take a Mosin Nagant carbine.

The main reasons are that its cheap enough that I wouldn't cry if it got all muddy or dropped to the bottom of the swamp, and with its .30-06 like 7.62x54R round, it ought to be powerful enough for even a pretty big gator. Stock iron sights should be fine for a short range shot.

For a handgun, I'd take a .44 magnum. Why? Because I have one, and I figure it would be "adequate". Ideal one would be some stainless hunting model with a long barrel. Any of those "hand cannons" (eg .454, .460, 480, .500, etc) could work too.

If you wanted to go real "old school", then you could go with a paired .44 magnum levergun/revolver, or even .357 levergun/revolver combo!
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hp289

July 18, 2011 11:42
Been there, done that... 9 seasons in Louisiana. Since it is all done just like on the show, ie: hang the chicken, pull them out, shoot them in the eye, drag them in... all it takes is a .22 rifle. It scatters their brain and they die within 1-2 minutes. We always let them bleed out for 1-2 minutes in the water before we drug them in the boat... just to be safe. Then a quick jump with your knee on the snout while your buddy duct tapes the mouth as extra insurance. Then open your beer. That's that. No big bores needed and you do not want body shots, because YES the skin buyers check. If you have a 45 cal. hole in the part of the skin they want to make boots out of, they won't buy your skin! That is why almost everyone uses a P.O.S. .22 rifle laying around in the boat and it's always an eye shot or close to it. Be careful, be sure you have the right permit to do it legally, because it's a fed felony if you don't. Also, be careful, we don't want you changing your user ID to "Lefty."
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fl23in

July 18, 2011 12:59
well having grown up hunting alot (maybe not gators) but 22 mag is MORE THAN ENOUGH at point blank range, i have killed a deer back homoe aat 40 yrds with 22mag to the ear. .17 hmr is also a very good choice high muzzle speed and little "bullet explosion upon impact"
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