Time for a gun...help me choose the right one?

[Bear Foot Farm]

There's one option that could cover both the uses mentioned in the OP, but it's not all that "cheap"

Savage Model 24:
Rifle top barrel, shotgun lower barrel



http://www.gunsinternational.com/Savage-Combination-Guns.cfm?cat_id=574

 

[henpeckedmuch]

I've been hunting, guiding and shooting competitively for over 50 yrs, My advice to you is start with the 22 cal. and use it for small stuff and practice, practice, practice. The Ruger 10/22 is one of the best automatics you can buy for the money. Have a scope put on it. If you want a bolt action 22 cal. look at the CZ American at our local gun store. If you decide to take the plunge and go hunting for the big stuff you will need a more powerful gun. Talk to several people in your area that hunt and ask questions????? Some areas refuse to allow rifles and only allow the use of shotguns. Some areas are too populated to safely use a rifle. While other areas are so thick that a rifle is useless.

 

[elsasmom]

to NewChickens2009: Thanks for the welcome. I've been on the BYC facebook page for a long time and finally got to the forum. Now I don't get anything else done because I'm so hooked!!!

 

[lesgo54]

get any 22 u can afford. also if u use a live trap around here we use hotdog buns for bait. all critters like it and its cheap. u can also use bread but hd buns work better. and if u shoot a critter in the trap shoot it between the eyes. but dont shoot a skunk in the head, shoot it in th body. dont ask how i know that

 

[chigger bait]

As stated by several, it is had to beat a Ruger 10/22.

My dad bought one back in the mid 60's and it has had several 1000 rounds of ammunition shot through over those years by him, myself, and my son.

It is light, reliable, and has a highly dependable rotary, detachable box type magazine, that has never jammed on me.

 

[chick magnet]

For coon and possum,a .22 will work fine.I trap quite a bit during the winter,and i use a Ruger .22 pistol for dispatch.But when im not trapping and just thinning the fox population,i love my .22 magnum.For turkeys,like stated,shotgun.In the future,if ya wanna deer hunt,hard to beat a .270 rifle or a shotgun.But these are just my choices.Try out a bow,thats fun too,

.

 

[newchickens2009]

I have one of these, they are great .22s also!

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...4_750001_750051_757786_-1_757784_757784_image

 

[VI KING RANCH]

Go with a .22 cal hand gun. Nicely hidden in a jacket an like mentioned befoore bullets are plane cheap!

 

[jspitzer221]

I keep a .30-06 by the door to dispatch of predators

 

[Bullitt]

I keep a .30-06 by the door to dispatch of predators

Are you sure you don't need something bigger?

Do you have mountain lions or bears in your area?