Tell me about shotguns (and a little about pellet guns)

[pepperluvsmee]

I picked up a BB gun from Gander mountain for $80. You can shoot through a tin can with it at 25 yards. You have to buy special pointed BB's, but the sucker really works as a deterant. I had a hawk that would eyeball my birds and all I had to do was pump it twice from my front porch, and it would make a nice THUD on his wing as he was lit on a branch. After a few hours of fly away, come back and get a THUD, he never returned.
So if you give the gun a few pumps and point it right at that dogs hock or thigh. Especially if he is sniffin around your coop..OUCH--he will think twice about coming back.
Good Luck. We also own several shot guns, 2-22's and 2 rifles. (I like to target and shoot clay pigeons--what can I say? Plus my husband hunts.) I personally like my Remington 597 (22) with the scope. I can hit a bumble bee at 35 yards with that thang!
-Theresa
OH!! You can get one of those soft air guns, they hurt too and can do some damage at a fairly long range, believe it or not! We have one that runs on batteries. It is semi auto.

 

[Nick]

I have a Mossberg 500. It's a good shotgun for what you want it for.
Mine, however, is a slug gun.
I have used a Ruger 10/22 rifle (using .22 long rifle cartriges) to get a treed raccoon that had killed one of my chickens. Very accurate and not that noisy.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Yeah yeah, go for the 12 ga. 1 oz loads if you have to. That's all I shoot.

The Ruger 10/22 is a good choice for a .22lr also. I bought on the other day myself. It's in getting a trigger job and I'll put Tech Sights on it. It'll feel like an M14 when I'm done, but won't hurt or be loud. I use it as a training gun when I teach rifle Marksmanship.

pepperluvsmee, what kind of BB gun did you get? I've been looking for one like my dad's where you can put as many pumps into it as you need to get the job done. Dad would put a few pumps in, and if the dog came back he'd add a few more until it got the message.

 

[Meesh]

Ok, I am going to see if I can find a used shotgun, and I'll buy a BB/pellet gun combo. They are really inexpensive. I like the multipump BB thought for a dog plinker. DH pointed out that I may end up needing to plink one of my dogs in the butt as training if they try to lurk around the chicken coop when they think I'm not watching.

If a bear shows up, well, I'll get out grandpa's hunting rifles. We're not really in bear range, bobcat or mountain lion would be more likely. Fortunately, there is a lot of wild country & small game and the big predators don't need to come steal chickens. I wish they'd come eat the feral pigs... Another reason a shotgun with slugs would be useful. Those pigs are a real nuisance & really root up my horse pastures.

Cheers,
Michelle

 

[mley1]

For someone who does not shoot often I would forget the rifles or pistols. Go with a good solid shotgun. A good 12ga with 1 1/8oz loads of 6's or 4's will take out any coon, possum, skunk, or even a yote or dog at close range. I wouldn't hesitate to use it out to about 40yrds. Use full choke.

And, if your real serious and need a little extra range you could go with the 3" loads used for turkey hunting in 4's or 2's. And, for the big critters the 3" loads of oo buckshot will work well. I wouldn't use anything lighter than stated or you'll have some wounded critters running off.

As others have recommended the Remington Model 870 is a good solid pump and can be had at a reasonable price. I have one myself. I can also recommend the Mossberg Model 500. I have three of those, one in 12ga and two in 20ga. But, any good name brand would work.

Another reason I say to stay away from the rifles and pistols is the possibility of the bullets hitting things or people you don't want to hit. Even if you hit the critter the bullets won't stop and will continue on to hit something else usually. Shotguns are much safer, especially if you have neighbors close by.

 

[Big_Charlie]

I'm a fan of the Mossberg line - they are great guns and tend to be a little bit less expensive than the Remington 870. Personally, I have a 590 tactical model from when I used to live in the city and kept it around for two-legged predator home defense. Use a 2 3/4" #4 buckshot load and you get a nice dual purpose gun - defend your home from predators with two legs without penetrating the interior walls as well as taking on four legged predators out in the coop. It's a light enough load that you probably won't penetrate the walls of your coop unless they're really thin, but it'll penetrate plenty deep in the critter to get the job done humanely. The larger buckshot loads will absolutely penetrate walls, critters, 2x4's, etc.

Just be careful out there!

Big Charlie

 

[unionwirewoman]

If you're looking for a gun that will scare off dogs AND kill skunks I would'nt go with a shotgun . I use a model 597 remington .22 . I put in bird shot for dogs , and use a regular bullet for predators . When dealing with skunks , most people just shoot , forgetting that if you shoot them anywhere other than the head they will spray . A regular shotgun WILL hurt a dog . If that's what your after then go for it . The .22 bird shot does not kill or severly injure a dog . (unless it's one of those yipping 1/2 pound rat dogs) Just my opinion .

 

[panner123]

Well, if I can shoot my dog for treeing my neighbors cat. His dog doesn't stand a snowball's chance in that hot place, if it starts after my chickens or any of my animals. Shoot an animal with any lead product and you have caused a problem, a SLOW DEATH from lead poison or infection. NEVER SHOOT anything to try and scare it off, that doesn't work. Shoot to kill it or just leave it be. You have probability seen some of Liz's posts, she has a bobcat that comes visiting. She is trying to live with it, even after I told her to shoot the darn thing. Two or four legged varmits mess with my critters, I call out my two good friends (Smith & Wesson). In the late 50's to mid 60's I shot for the Remington skeet team, it was there that I learned to use the heaviest possible gun for the task at hand.

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

Wanna hear something funny. I shot myself with a pellet gun accidently in the foot. forgot to put on the safety. I was crying and laughing at the same time. I cant believe i did not hit any bones

My mom almost peed herself

 

[pepperluvsmee]

Quote:
Believe it or not, It's a Remongton Airmaster 77. It is a pretty heavy gun for being a pellet gun.