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

[chigger bait]

Ok, here's a newbie question....why use a shotgun for turkey? Don't you then have to spend an hour picking out lead?

You don't shoot them in the body, you shoot them in the head and neck.

If you shoot them in the body, they'll light out of the kill zone like a road runner and go off and die some where that you'll never find.

Then they just become fodder for the vermin.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Ok, here's a newbie question....why use a shotgun for turkey? Don't you then have to spend an hour picking out lead?

One BIG reason is in many states, a shotgun is the only LEGAL weapon.

You AIM at the head, because the thick feathers can prevent shot from penetrating deep enough for a quick kill.

There really won't be a whole lot of pellets in the bird most of the time

 

[Bullitt]

Ok, here's a newbie question....why use a shotgun for turkey? Don't you then have to spend an hour picking out lead?

So, did you decide which gun you will get first?

 

[Jeffross1968]

So, did you decide which gun you will get first?

Waiting for that IRS refund money to hit, and then I'm going to go out money in hand to the local gun shop and make a final decision. I'll be re-reading this thread a couple times before then. What is important, is not to get too little or too much gun for my needs. It's going to be mainly for dispatching predators that I either trap catch overnight, or that I might find in my yard during the day as they free range, which would likely be a dog (hate to do it, but not going to lose chickens if I can help it). One important factor is that I have kids, so until they've learned some respect for guns, wherever I have it kept, it can not be loaded, so likely, I'll have it hanging over a door unloaded, and will need to be able to load it fast. I'm considering getting a 22 semi, so that I can grab the clip on the way to the gun, and slap it in. Thinking it would be faster than bolt action to load.

Those are my thoughts so far. What do you think?

 

[Ole rooster]

A weapon with no bullets is as useless as a refrigerator with no food. No use buying it. But the time you get it loaded your problem will probably be gone. If it over a door, 7 foot off the floor why unload it?

 

[Jeffross1968]

I've got 3 boys, ages 10, 8, and 7. They will scale any wall, climb any tree, and would not be stopped by a wall of poisonous snakes to get at something they want

Actually, they are pretty good boys, and keeping the gun not loaded would be a concession to the wife. Either way, while it might be inconvenient for the spur of the moment "holy crap there is something attacking!!!", the need to dispatch trapped predators still exists, often enough to get a gun. I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one with little kids who doesn't leave the gun loaded....just in case. I'm not talking about keeping the mag in a lock box, just separate and close. Still working through my options...

 

[wilbilt]

I think at the very least, no home should be without a .22 rifle and a 12g shotgun.

The .22 would be a logical choice based on your immediate requirements. The Ruger 10/22 is extremely popular, but there are other choices for less money. I like the Marlin 60, and I have a Savage 64 with a cheap scope that is very accurate at reasonable range.

Someone mentioned using CB caps as they are quiet. I use Aguila Super Colibri when noise is an issue. They are quieter than my pellet gun, no noise other than the "click" of the firing pin and "thwap" when they hit the target. They won't cycle a semi-auto , but can be fed manually.

 

[Bullitt]

What is important, is not to get too little or too much gun for my needs. It's going to be mainly for dispatching predators that I either trap catch overnight, or that I might find in my yard during the day as they free range, which would likely be a dog (hate to do it, but not going to lose chickens if I can help it). One important factor is that I have kids, so until they've learned some respect for guns, wherever I have it kept, it can not be loaded, so likely, I'll have it hanging over a door unloaded, and will need to be able to load it fast. I'm considering getting a 22 semi, so that I can grab the clip on the way to the gun, and slap it in. Thinking it would be faster than bolt action to load.

Those are my thoughts so far. What do you think?

I think you are right to be safe with your young boys. I would rather lose a chicken because a gun is slow to load than have a kid accidentally shoot himself. The first thing you should do is show your sons how to handle the rifle and explain to them that it can kill them if not handled correctly. I would also make it very clear that you don't want them even touching the rifle unless you are with them. Tell them if they even touch the rifle without your permission they will be doing double chores for a year.

When I was 12 years old my father allowed me to handle a rifle without him around.

The way you are describing your gun needs here, a .22 is a good option. It is on the light side if you shoot a dog, though. You can get the .22 now, and you can get a shotgun and a deer rifle later. Check pawn shops too. Or check the online gun listings. You can find a gun to suit your needs pretty cheaply.

Are you close to neighbors?

 

[chigger bait]

I'll have it hanging over a door unloaded, and will need to be able to load it fast. I'm considering getting a 22 semi, so that I can grab the clip on the way to the gun, and slap it in.

Please , please, let us have quick school circle on proper nomencalture.

The "clip" is not a clip, it is a removeable box type magazine.

Such as this one for a Ruger 10/22



Each round of rimfire .22 long rifle ammuntion is hand loaded into this magazine.

There are also non removeable box type magazines such as are in a M-1 Garand where a clip of ammo is used to load the magazine, which is ejected, with a loud pinging sound after the last round is fired.

As shown in this photo.






An example of that type of clip on the left of this photo.



The clip on the right is a typical modern day clip of ammuntion use to load a removeable box type magazine in a modern day militaty type rifle.

The whole clip is loaded into the magazine by the aid of a speed loader so that the warfighter in the field does not have to manual manipulate each and every round.

Something such as this cilivan model.


Numerous clips are transported out in the field in an ammo can.



As you can tell, clips have very little application in the civilian market.

 

[Bullitt]

Many people use the words clip and magazine interchangeably. I don't think it is a big deal.