Well over 30 seasons of hunting in Fl and I have yet to need a gun for a snake.
in my 30+ odd years hunting I have never Had to kill an animal that was a threat I couldn't just back away from, but I think a lot of that is just plain luck when it comes to it. snakes, scorpions, spiders,bears,moose and mt lions were present in some areas but never a serious danger to me. the only real potentialy dangerous situation came for me in the suburbs of Long Island when walking my black lab on a leash at about 12 y/o we were attacked by a group/pack of domestic dogs that almost killed my lab and were about to turn on me when I started whipping them with the chain leash to get them off my lab, they came at me, luckily a nearby homeowner heard the commotion and saved us with a baseball bat. jmo as I am new to these parts but I think a bigger threat would be from another type of animal possibly with rabies, dogs or human. I could see getting bit by a rattler if it's stepped on or touched but there not gonna come after you. a moccasin on the other hand will come to get you and have witnessed that while shoreline fishing the bays in NC. SO if your in a snakey area and not carrying a shotgun, a pistol with rat shot is probly not a bad idea imo.
I have thought abt a .357 snubbie just didn't think i needed that kinda stopping power for a snake. A judge would be good but the price tag is kinda high for the purpose. Guess i will keep my eyes out for a used one.
I don't know how much the Judge is but S&W has one that is called the Governor. The internet price I saw was 587.00. Well good luck.
Here is what I use, it is cheap under 200 shall enough to fit into pocket and it holds 5 22mag shot shells and is deadly out to 20 feet.
And almost maintenance free being stainless steel.
