Gun suggestions for predators-really

[sangel4you]

I agree with faith ann on pg 1. Only I use a .25 pistol (basically the same as a .22) and then the .243 rifle for larger things. It's enough to send them home whimpering anyway.

 

[Davaroo]

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Good point. I'm old school - lead shot is first choice.
But steel could be a good solution as you mention.

 

[Davaroo]

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... and anybody that can shoot well with a .25 gets the nod from me. The .243 is easy, but the .25 is tough.

 

[sangel4you]

lol davaroo thanks! I agree tho, I think because it's so small and light then the power just throws it all off.

 

[RuffTuffCreampuff]

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Oooo, the CS LEWIS quote. I love it!

A shotgun at close range wont spread the pattern much. But it is deadly on anything in its path. If you have physical limitations then stepping down to 20 ga. could be a good solution.
AS for whether you will hit your chickens... that is always a chance, no matter what you shoot. To minimize this problem with the shotgun, use tight chokes, aim your shot and don't shoot from more then 10-30 yards.
Contrary to popular belief, a shotgun must be aimed for best effect.And I wouldn't recommend you shoot it inside the coop!
Get a .22 handgun for that...

There are other gauges below 20, but they are uncommon. The bottom end is the .410, which seems like a good choice, at first glance. But it is really a purists round. The weight of shot is tiny and the power behind it lacking. Ammo for the .410 is actually more expensive than the larger bores, too. How it has hung on for so long is a mystery, except that I guess it just gives people something to shoot. If you want to be humbled in your shooting abilities, shoot a .410.

Now, for snakes up close they can be useful... but so can a forked stick or shovel. They have some use on predators that are close - and standing still, too. They are also not terribly noisy.

But outside of these reasons, I wouldn't consider one. You may as well stick to your pellet gun.

Thanks, that's DH's quote...I don't know why he didn't put the full quote on his siggy, I really love it.

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.
C. S. Lewis"


DH has two shotguns, I am not good with all these guages...but I believe one is a 20 guage and the other a 16. I shot the smaller one, and was in pain for days. I could do it if I had to, such as a home invasion. However, for critters I would rather get something else...I am really going to push for a hand gun, just don't know what size yet.

My future DIL is a security guard at a casino, and she uses a 9mm. We are going to set up a shooting date, so I can try that out. Another option for me, is a bow and arrow....I have the bow, but I need to get a new string with less draw....because the tendons in my elbow are all messed up too (sigh...

.) I am actually fair good with a bow, just don't have any experince with moving targets....lol.

Pam

 

[flopshot]

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you might want to check out the Snake Charmer 410 shotgun. handy little boomstick.

http://www.snake-charmer.net/pages_us/iii_technical.htm

 

[RuffTuffCreampuff]

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you might want to check out the Snake Charmer 410 shotgun. handy little boomstick.

http://www.snake-charmer.net/pages_us/iii_technical.htm

Oh thank you!! Checking out the site right now.

Pam

 

[Davaroo]

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Oh, I know this well - its one of my faves.

DH has two shotguns, I am not good with all these guages...but I believe one is a 20 guage and the other a 16. I shot the smaller one, and was in pain for days. I could do it if I had to, such as a home invasion. However, for critters I would rather get something else...I am really going to push for a hand gun, just don't know what size yet.

My future DIL is a security guard at a casino, and she uses a 9mm. We are going to set up a shooting date, so I can try that out.

I would not wholly recommend a 9mm for predator control. It will work, in lieu of other things and offers some ancillary benefits, like high ammo capacity.
But there is something I believe is better: a double action revolver in .357 Magnum, 6" barrel.
For most "average" people who just want a reliable handgun, this is the single best choice, hands down, for any purpose.

It is easy to shoot, easy to load and easy to hit with. It is dead simple in all respects, not at all fiddly and not prone to failure if neglected (as occasionally happens when non-gun types own autoloading pistols).
And as the saying goes, "If you can't solve your problems with six good shots, you 'aint likely to do so with more..."

But it gets better. You can put mild .38 Specials in it, too, reducing the recoil by at least half. The .38 Special was THE accuracy champ for decades and with the right load, your .357 will do nicely stoked with it. The .38 Special will also dispatch most predators readily, and with the mildest of wad cutter loads, makes any .357 a decent pot gun.

The .357 Magnum offers yet another option, by going the other way in power. This allows you to step up to full-power, magnum loads. These are very sharp in recoil and blast, so they require some familiarity training . But, these cartridges have long been considered among the best man-stopping loads available. Only one or two rounds statistically and historically better them (barely)... and these cartridges are not generally found in a revolver. By the way, the 9mm Parabellum is not among them.

The 9mm is, flatly put, a second best to the .357 Magnum's performance.... while lacking all the versatility of that round. It exists, and remains the premier handgun cartridge worldwide, for benefits other than those found in the .357 Magnum.
I own both and have for years. I'm convinced the .357 Magnum is the single best handgun option for the majority of people.

Another option for me, is a bow and arrow....I have the bow, but I need to get a new string with less draw....because the tendons in my elbow are all messed up too (sigh...

.) I am actually fair good with a bow, just don't have any experince with moving targets....lol.

Now, that is interesting. If you can hit with it consistently and can get off a second shot as needed, then it could be a viable option. It has been around for thousands of years, after all. Better things have come along, but it started the trend....​

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

My DH has a big collection of guns, mostly hunting rifles/shotguns. He has a 30-06 rifle that I love. I use it. It is loud and does kick but it is 'one shot one kill' every time

 

[Davaroo]

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If you are willing to reload your ammo, it is also one of the most versatile calibers you can own. It can be downloaded to handgun power levels or stuffed with powder/bullet combinations capable of taking the largest moose or caribou.

For North American game, it is considered THE BEST all around, non-magnum rifle cartridge. If I was to own only one hunting rifle, it would be the .30-06.

Pretty good for something well over a hundred years old, eh?