Gun recommendations?

[chickortreat]

"What's the best gun" is something like" what's the best food" or "what's the best tool."

For an accurate, inexpensive rifle with enough power to kill predator-sized game cleanly, and with little noise and no recoil, I'd recommend a .17 HMR. It has the same powder capacity as a .22 magnum, but will push a bullet at 2550 feet per second. The light (17 grain) bullets are frangible so there is very little ricochet risk and they don't over penetrate. The Savage model 93, with a 2 or 4 power scope would be ideal.

I agree the .17 HMR is a good round. The negatives I see are the light bullet doesn't buck wind very well on long shots, and the ammo is somewhat more expensive than .22 magnum. The ones I've fired were very accurate.....

 

[punk-a-doodle]

"What's the best gun" is something like" what's the best food" or "what's the best tool."

. Hey grey fox, I'm not looking for the "best" gun, especially as that is indeed all relative. I am just interested to hear what people are finding they like and use, and why.

As for specifics, I can't give them until I have a farm myself. This is all preliminary poking around to narrow down some choices and/or get ideas I hadn't thought of. I'm what some might call a careful buyer.

Great discussion and input so far!

 

[Txwingnut]

.22lr (ruger 10/22 or a lever action) are great!
12 gauge. I use my 870 police shotgun and I keep a variety of shells from slugs, 00, 000, #4, #7

those are pretty versatile weapons, but I have some for:
longer distances also 30-06 and .308
shorter distances 9mm 40s&w and 22lr

 

[flyboy129]

Personally, the two I have are the tried and true Ruger 10/22 set to coke can accuracy within 100 yds. I have a basic point and shoot scope (don't like trying to adjust focus when I need to down a predator). I also have a semi auto 20ga for an extra measure.

 

[punk-a-doodle]

Good point about focusing a scope flyboy.

 

[dawg53]

Personally, the two I have are the tried and true Ruger 10/22 set to coke can accuracy within 100 yds. I have a basic point and shoot scope (don't like trying to adjust focus when I need to down a predator). I also have a semi auto 20ga for an extra measure.

I have a Ruger 10/22, no scope. I have a 30 shot banana clip for it. Also 410ga and 12ga shotguns, .38cal pistol.

 

[itsthelaw37801]

We have a 22 for shooting close to the animals. We have a spray to shoot in the front yard if someone isn't suppose to be there. It will hit anything.

I prefer the handgun. I have a 22. I have the Ruger 9 mm compact on my wish list. I find that I am a better shot with it. I shoot better than my husband and all his friends. I tried a laser light once, and found it to be a bother.

 

[Tazman99]

For predators such as Coyotes and Foxes, a .22.

If you want it for putting down Livestock, a .22 will be a good chicken gun, and a larger. 243 may take down a cow.

For close quarters or birds that are legal to SSS, a shotgun would work, probably a 12 gauge.

A huge gun, which would come in handy for a Bear, would be a 30.06.

I would recommend a .22 or 12 gauge shotgun.

 

[TinTennessee]

I'm in a semi rural area, that being said there are houses within 40 yards of me on either side. I have used a 22 rifle with cbs ( short shells) no one even knew I shot, except my target. I have a 12 ga. & a 45 handgun for personal protection. I also own a 32 & a 50 cal. black powder rifle & a WWII M1 Garand in a 30:06. I wouldn't hesitate to use any if the need arises. The choice of what I would use depends on the threat or perceived threat.
As you can see there like lays potato chips " you can't have just one ".

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Quote: Scopes don't have to be "focused" once they are set up correctly to begin with