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I'm kicking aroung the idea of getting a Jr. Topper 20 ga (maybe .410) for a around-the-house snake gun. It comes in a full choked 22" barrel. If I had it cut back to 18.5" (to remain legal) would this also open up the choke?

As a related aside, I was looking at the Snake Chamer/Tamer option but they are all made in full choke. For the niche they are supposed to be filling why a full choke? Looks like they would make an cylinder choke to get as much spread as possible in the few feet/yards in which a snake would need to be dispatched. I guess I don't get it.

I'd say cutting the barrel back would effectively remove the choke, making it a cylinder bore.

As to your second question, within a few feet, I doubt the pattern is going to open up much at all. And, I guess they put a full choke on to keep the pattern together as much as possible, as far out as possible, with so little shot to begin with. (edit: I was thinking about .410 bore; I didn't know they came in 20 gauge.)

Why not use your pistol? CCI makes shot shell cartridges from .22 to .45 Long Colt:
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/ ... ialty.aspx
My mother was still dusting snakes with a Single Six loaded with shot shells well into her 70's.
Great practice for drawing and shooting under pressure, limited chance of unintended collateral damage.
The .45acp load will rack the slide just fine.

troglodyte wrote:I'm kicking aroung the idea of getting a Jr. Topper 20 ga (maybe .410) for a around-the-house snake gun. It comes in a full choked 22" barrel. If I had it cut back to 18.5" (to remain legal) would this also open up the choke?

As a related aside, I was looking at the Snake Chamer/Tamer option but they are all made in full choke. For the niche they are supposed to be filling why a full choke? Looks like they would make an cylinder choke to get as much spread as possible in the few feet/yards in which a snake would need to be dispatched. I guess I don't get it.

The choke is going to roughly be in the last 1-1 3/4" of the barrel. Cutting it off beyond that will remove any constriction. Now as far as attempting to get more spread in a few feet, you won't know any difference. Just point more accurately with the full choke and you will do the job.

Dadtodabone wrote:Why not use your pistol? CCI makes shot shell cartridges from .22 to .45 Long Colt:
http://www.cci-ammunition.com/products/ ... ialty.aspx
My mother was still dusting snakes with a Single Six loaded with shot shells well into her 70's.
Great practice for drawing and shooting under pressure, limited chance of unintended collateral damage.
The .45acp load will rack the slide just fine.

I've used the CCI shot shells before with success but in revolvers. Never tried them in a semi-auto. Even if they cycle one of my semi-autos then I have to change out ammo or make one gun semi "dedicated" to snake control. If I have a low cost, simple gun for snakes then there is never a question as to what ammo is in/for it and everyone in the house knows where to go and what to grab.

This is mainly a wife gun. I'm fine with using a hoe or a big rock or whatever is at hand. My wife doesn't want to get that close to the snake and I want her to dispatch any rattlesnake she sees. I like the idea of a long gun for this purpose. It's easy to leave by the door, easy to grab, light enough to be quick, and easy not to misplace. The single-shot break-open is easy to leave unloaded (if we so choose) and easy to load and operate.

I'll probably pick up a used 20 ga Jr. Topper (or full size) when I run across one, find some reduce recoil birdshot, and call it good. If I find something else in the meantime that tickles my fancy...who knows...