Go ahead and read this little snippet:
Large lizards are invading Georgia and pose a major threat to native wildlife, state officials have warned residents.
Argentine black and white tegu lizards, which can grow up to four feet long and weigh more than 10 pounds, have been spotted in Georgia for years, and officials are now trying to eradicate the species from the state.
“They eat just about anything they want,” retired Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division biologist John Jensen said in a 2019 video about the lizards.
So, Gentle Readers, here’s the question:
What would be the cartridge you’d choose to help Georgia out with their little problem?
Your suggestions in Comments.
Here’s mine. And here it is, demonstrated — but this old boy is having WAY too much fun. Jealous.
My first reading of the quote said “lounge lizards” but more study indicated that they were talking about the four footed variety. Dragon’s Breath ammo would be a fun solution especially since it is banned in California, Illinois, DC, and other liberal pestholes (although New Jersey seems to have missed it). Almost five bucks a round is a bit steep though for the very good chance of burning down half the state during a hunt. If the critters are fairly thin skinned I’d go .22 mag out of a pistol or rifle, or .38 special in a nice 686 or Marlin or Rossi lever gun if a little more authority is called for.
20 ga loaded with #4 buck if it’s warm out & the critters are moving quickly, .38 Special in a lever gun and/or revolver if they’re sluggish. I agree that the Dragon’s Breath looks like great fun aside from that whole starting a bush fire thing.
That video was very interesting. Ever since hearing about them being used in Vietnam I’ve thought that getting some flechette rounds would be so freaking awesome. After seeing them in action I’m much less impressed. Unless they manage to stabilize better at longer ranges they look pretty useless. The Dragon’s Breath was pretty cool, but his comment about them being a home defense round made me snort: burning down your house to deter a home invader is pretty much the definition of a Pyrrhic victory. And launching a .50 BMG bullet from a shotgun is just plain ig’nant. It might be interesting to re-test using a rifled barrel, though. Even then it would have to be a single shot proposition. No way I’d load up a tubular magazine with those pointy things, even if they could cycle!
The only one that looked remotely feasible was the MPI round. It might be handy as a home defense option. To get the intruder hiding behind the chest freezer. In your neighbors house. Across the street.
The flechette rounds used in Vietnam were for last ditch anti-personnel defense. There was one for the 105mm howitzer with 8,000, 8 grain flechettes or over 9 pounds of the things. They would be direct fired with a depressed barrel. The other was a 40mm round for the M79 and M16 mounted M203 grenade launchers. Don’t know offhand how many it held.
My brother was an M-79 gunner with the 1st Infantry in Vietnam. He said he was issued a couple of flechette rounds as the brand new thing for the gun. He shot a big piece of cardboard at about 10 yards to see how the round would pattern and after the test “lost” the rest of the ammo. He preferred his 1911 for up close and personal work and is one of the few soldiers I’ve ever talked to who admitted that they shot (and hit) somebody with a pistol.
Patton famously shot a couple of Villaistas with his pistol.
I’m with Grizz: 20ga w/#4, whether lively or sluggish.
Winchester PDX1 in .410 out of a Rossi Circuit Judge. (It’s what I already use for big ass Cottonmouths.)
Depends. (Don’t yah hate that?)
If they could be in the trees, Cooper’s 4th dictates a 20 gauge and largish bird shot. (Plus, I’d have to get a new gun. Shucks.) If they’re ground-pounders, nothing wrong with .22LR, .22 Magnum, or hell, even the ubiquitous .223. Good familiarization, and I’m not concerned with the meat. Yes, I’m a fan of the 5.56, as well as the 7.62×51 – with proper bullet selection.
Seen these, Kim? https://www.aeroprecisionusa.com/ar15/combo-sets/builder-sets ARs painted in the pattern of Rhodesian Camouflage. My paintball team chose the mil-surp t-shirts and fatigue pants as our uniform. Didn’t know anything about Africa and Rhodesia/ Zimbabwe. Soon learned about the tragic, politically correct destruction of Africa’s breadbasket.
In Argentina, what is the natural predator for these lizards?
And what danger would they be if used for controlling a pest?
In lieu of that solution, a 20g with #4 buck sounds good.
So Murder Hornets and Killer Bees are not bad enough, we now have to get the lizard invasion in Georgia and midway through the article it says they have been in Florida for a long time which makes sense about lizards and such.
Dragon’s Breath would be kind of fun and I almost ordered some one time to take to a buddies farm where there is a private range but the shells were a bit expensive but it would have been fun.
A quick Google indicates that those lizards are hunted for food in South America. You might want to adjust your loadout.
Q,
The Argies might eat reptile meat; I, not.
Immigration being what it normally is, sell the carcass to the eaters for ammo money = win/win. Also, .22WMR would do nicely in this situation.
I would want to use an M1 Carbine, possibly loaded with soft points; more than adequate for the size of the critter and an utter joy to shoot. However the other suggestions about a shotgun have merit especially if the beasties might be up a tree.
I’ve only got a 12 gauge, but I’d stay above birdshot level; I expect a goose load would never be too little for a ten pound critter in any reasonable shot situation.
12 gauge #4s from a box that says “Turkey” on the sides would be a reasonable choice. I have no plans to eat lizards on purpose.
On the other, less reasonable hand there’s a 375 H&H just sitting there doing nothing. Soft points, not solids – I’m not crazy.