Swamp People and the gun for alligators?

Sly Old Fox

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Well, I've watched this series almost from the beginning and am enchanted with the use of the Ruger 10/22.

From what I've seen, I've concluded that:

A. A .22LR is adequate for the job.

B. If A is correct, then a single action .22LR revolver would be the better than a semi-auto rifle.

The above is based on the ability to kill a 'gator on the end of a set line.

For a shot at a "gator within 50-70 yards, would not an SKS be superior to a Ruger 10/22?
 
I do recall reading somewhere that small calibre is preferred by the commercial hunters because it doesn't leave an exit wound, therefore increasing the value of the gator skin.
Shooting at animals in water is done straight down to reduce the odds of ricochet. Firing an SKS at a target 50+ yards away in the water is a incredibly dangerous proposition for any bystanders in the area.
 
I've seen them use 17HMR, 22LR and 22 mag when the gator is at the end of the line. When they Choot'em from a distance, they use large rifle like a Ruger 270 win (Jacob Landry). Even at close range, a pistol is harder to handle than a full length rifle.
 
based on the ability to kill a 'gator on the end of a set line. For a shot at a "gator within 50-70 yards, would not an SKS be superior to a Ruger 10/22?

Have you considered the size of the critters brain and the ability of the sks to hit such a small target at the implied distance?
When taken into consideration of retrieving said animal in a water filled environment.
Tight Groups (pun intended too)
Rob
 
Some of them have used a handgun. Most use a rifle as they can aim close to the head without their hand close to the gators mouth as it thrashes around. Look at how many times the gators have hit and even bit the barrel. That could have been their hand. Most probably carry a pistol as a backup though.
 
Sorry, but it looks like the let them thrash around a lot for the show.

If the shooter took the shot just as they hit the surface (for the first time), the show would be a flop.
 
Sorry, but it looks like the let them thrash around a lot for the show.

If the shooter took the shot just as they hit the surface (for the first time), the show would be a flop.

Actually, if you watch half ass closely you will notice it is usually a cutting of different aligators film shots together for one supposed harvest, thats why they never change their clothes (Troy has worn the same shirt since the show started). In some fight scenes its sunny, but the next shot will be overcast, or in one shot they have a ruger 10/22 in hand for the shot and the next is a tube feed bolt action. There is nothing real about reality television.

As for the handgun, as others have said, with a long barrel they can put it right to the critters head for a good shot and not lose their hand.

I have actually lost interest in the show, my wife still loves it, a person can only see an aligator get killed so many times in the exact same way until you lose interest. I've moved onto Swamp Pawn.
 
ive heard them say in the early episodes, that they use a .22 and nothing else because they do not want over penetration. and if possible not have the bullet exit the bottom of the hide, which is where all the money is to be made.

but the show kinda sucks. and needs to be put to bed. im sick of all these backwoods redneck reality shows.
 
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