Those with shot guns who are allowed to discharge them.. question

[silkiechicken]

To those with shot guns and use them for pest problems I have a set of questions.

1. What type of shot gun do you have.

2. What types of ammo do you shoot.

3. Do you wear hearing protection? (Ie. in emergency do you have eyes and ears ready to go next to the gun?)

4. Do you lock it up? If so, how do you get quick access to it, if not how do you keep hands off it that you don't want using it?


Just curious.

 

[newchickowner]

My b/f is a gun collector of sorts, and has many kinds, but the .22 is the one used for pests.

no, with that particular gun I do not use hearing or eye protection

YES YES YES we keep all guns locked up. I have three small children in my home and their safety is more important than the safety of my animals. We have a gun safe for all the guns and ammo. Live ammo is dangerous even if it's not in the gun.

 

[broncbuster07]

I use a 16 gauge shotgun, with gameload for small varmits and a slug for a large dog or coyote. I also have a 30-06 rifle for those long shots. I keep all my guns in my bedroom closet for now. When my kids get older and more curious I'll get a safe, but I'll still keep our .38 pistol loaded at the top of our closet because if an intruder came in our house at night, his gun would already be loaded.

 

[momoftwinsinwi]

My husband is an avid bird hunter so we have several shot guns but there is one we all have access to if we need it. It's a 28 guage baretta, perfect for shooting varmit off of our deck. They are all but the one kept up high on a shelf we had built in our bedroom when we built the house, except the one which we keep in a corner in the living room, it's not loaded and the ammo is kept in our garage in an ammo case. My sons are 17 and my stepdaughter has been taught since she was young about guns and goes hunting with her father. Also, my husband taught gun safety to kids a few years back.

 

[TransplantedTexan]

Most guns are in the gun cabinet unloaded.
The twevle gauge upstairs in my bedroom stays loaded. 1st shell is Buckshot, the next a slug and repeated till full. This is mainly for home defense.

 

[dakinsmimi]

Remember the bigger guage the more power in the shell, although there will be some difference in the type of shell within the same guage depending on the size of the shot/load of powder. The size of shot you use depends on the size of the critter you're after (and how much damage you want to do). If you are after something the size of a rat you might consider a .22 rifle or pistol with "ratshot" a .22 shotshell.

 

[Mac in Wisco]

I spend a lot of time shooting clays. I have a several nice target guns in 12 and 20 gauge. I can't say I've shot at any varmints in my backyard, but a 20 gauge is a pretty versatile gun. I've used a 20 ga Remington 870 for everything from squirrels, rabbits, grouse, to deer. It's a well made, general purpose, pump action gun that won't break the bank. It's also available with a shortened stock for youth/women.

For general purpose ammunition just buy the boxes marked as small game or game and field loads. These would usually be no. 4, 5, or 6, shot which will dispatch most backyard critters. (The smaller the number the bigger the pellets).

I don't keep mine locked up. They are usually in my truck, garage, a closet, etc. That's not the best thing though. In most states you will face criminal penalties if you fail to secure your guns and something bad were to happen as a result.

I always wear ear protection when target shooting. For hunting I don't bother. I normally wear eyeglasses though, I wouldn't be able to see what I was shooting at otherwise. As far as hearing protection goes, a skeet range with buildings and barricades around is much louder than a fairly open backyard with trees and foliage around that absorb the blast. A few shots at a varmint in the backyard won't hurt your hearing but a hundred shots at the skeet range will. If you need to shoot at something in a hurry don't worry about hearing protection, if you are out practicing take the time to put some on...

 

[dirtfishing1]

Please seek a hunters safety course in your area for proper
useage and storage of firearms. Learn the correct way not what others may tell you. firearms are of the utmost and do not allow room for error. Or contact the NRA for an instructor led safety course.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/index.asp

 

[newchickowner]

I have to agree with dirtfishing1. My b/f knows someone who was renting a room from a single mother with a 17 yr old son and a 14 yr old daughter. The 17 yr old broke into the roommate's room (it was locked) went behind her dresser, grabbed her shotgun (unloaded) loaded it (shells were in the closet) and took it out to show his friends. He ended up shooting is sister in the face accidentally. Had she had a gun safe it could have been prevented. These kids grew up knowing how to hunt with their father and were taught about gun safety, but kids will be kids. You can never be too safe if you ask me.

 

[thndrdancr]

Also I heard a story that still haunts me when buying our shotgun in Walmart.
The employee told me this, shotguns you dont need to aim so much, you hold them against your shoulder to brace, its more of a point and shoot.

Well a lady bought one, thinking it was like a smaller gun, or a .22, where you aim thru the eyepiece, the kickback caused her to need cosmetic surgery on her face.
I still shudder thinking of that poor woman.