I'm gonna recommend a GUN

[GarlicEater]

As the NRA continually points out, just the presence of a gun, just the addition of a gun into the equation, often solves the problem with no shots being fired.

But a home-defense gun is material for another thread, this is about a gun as a farm tool, that's good for experienced shooters and those new to shooting alike.

 

[fl_deb]

My apology for hijacking this thread, I was tired and had just thought that if recommendation for guns was taking place that perhaps a complete "set" would be appropriate. Again, I'm sorry to the OP for hijacking this thread.

My BAD!

 

[GarlicEater]

Aw, no problem!

Some good discussion here.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I grew up with the Ruger 10/22. Love that gun. For such a short barrel it was extremly accurate and excellent for varmits. If I was starting a youngster out today, once they learned shooting and safety with pellet gun, I'd most likely get them an old over and under for over all varmit/bird gun. Granted a single shot .20 Ga. shotgun is quicker to bead on a partridge or rabbit but when walking the sugar trails you never know if the 22 or shot would be best at the time.

 

[twentynine]

The recommendation of the .22 Henry was what I was responding to.

I was responding with comments regarding a LONG GUN not a pistol, frankly for my purposes almost any long gun would be more apliccable than any pistol. Range and accuracy, being the major criteria.

I disagreed with the recommendation of the Henry based on price, and service. The need to spend over $300 on any varmint gun is not necessary. Remember in this context the gun is a "tool" not a ornament. Based on that an autoloading, Marlin, Remington, Savage and a number of other generic brands can be purchased for 1/2 the cost of the Henry. The benefit of the autoloading feature, when compared to the lever action of the Henry, specially when second shots or when facing multiple predators, can not be overestimated. No way are you going to stay on target or be prepared for a follow up shot when operating a lever gun in the same time frame as an autoloader.

My present small cal varmint gun is a JC Higgins autoloading .22 cal that is over 75 years old. It's old, it's ugly, but it's a straight shooter, and I am confident of my ability to hit with it. My large cal gun is a Russian surplus SKS, 7.62X39. It will take down anything in my part of the world, once again cheap (less than $100 when I purchased it), accurate, heavy and ugly.

In the context of the recommendation in the original post the gun we are talking about the gun being used as a tool. Now if you just like the Henry, that's a different kettle of fish.

 

[woodmort]

There are other considerations when choosing a gun. In most places(NYS for one) you can walk into a store, buy a long gun and all you need is a driver's license and willingness to answer a bunch of questions regarding your residence and nationality. To buy a hand gun, on the other hand, requires a permit issued from another agency--usually local law enforcement--first plus a waiting period. Add to that a long gun, generally, takes less practice to build accuracy and tends to be accurate over a longer range--you can rest a long gun on a post, fence, window sill or tripod to hold it steady. The only advantage of a handgun, as I see it, is that is may be easier to carry. Presumably if one is hunting predators there is no need to conceal it.

 

[GarlicEater]

I have to wait out a waiting period for my Henry.

For MY purposes, because some of the stuff I shoot (and some of the stuff you may shoot) won't cycle an auto-loader's action, such as CB Longs, the lever is good (a pump is also good).

Yes a Marlin Model 60 or something could be good, but out where I am, it seems guns are spendy. There's something close to $100 added to the price just for stupid taxes, something called a DROS, and a stupid gun lock I have to pay for and that has to be less than 30 days old, a certain type blah blah blah.

The Henry is not THE best gun but I sure think it's A good gun.

Because the barrel's pretty short, 16.something inches, it may work OK with .22 shotshells.

You can pick up a .22 for $50 if you look. You can get one for free if you look even harder.

I think this Henry is a good gun for a decent price though.

 

[wood&feathers]

I guess I'm weird, I have owned my Ruger 10/22 since 1990 and haven't added anything but a new scope. Come to think of it the scope wasn't new, I just kept it when I sold off my .270 and put it on the 10/22. I love the gun and have now interest in weighing it down with heavy barrel or target stock. I seldom even fill the 10 shot magazine.

I like bolt actions too. They are so easy to clean, and a clean gun is a good thing.

 

[littleoak]

I think the Ruger 10-22 with a scope is the best all around varmit gun there is. My wife prefers a bolt action so that's what she uses. Also another good small shotgun is a 4.10 single shot. These can be bought used for around $50.00. All said, it's best to use what you're comfortable with.

 

[britsngrits]

I had two recent issues with predators which I was able to take care of with a .22. My husband thought I would never do it... but when it comes to my chickens I refused to be a push-over. I still lost 2 buff brahma bantams but I turned the situation around by taking them off of the predator and learning how to process/defeather them. I then gutted them, choped them up and fed them to my dogs. I have to be very careful about feeding them chickens with feathers on it. It just confuses the issue. One dog when she was a puppy killed a hen and ate her. I yelled at her for a very long time and she never did it again but like I say... no need to confuse the issue.

My husband is a truck driver and he taught me how to be very, very good with our handguns. I only started hunting last year for the first time because I admit to being a bit of a softie. I love to eat vennison but didn't think I could actually kill a deer. Now, after taking care of my predators... I am confident I will fill my freezer!

I to am a gun nut!