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

[chigger bait]

I guess that is my one little OCD thing.

 

[CptCluck]

Gander Mtn. often has a deal where they sell the Marlin 795 for $100 after rebate. It's a fine little .22Lr rifle, and the cost is unbeatable. I shoot Appleseed with mine.

 

[ivan3]

Jeffross1968 wrote: 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?

If they have one of these on the shelf http://www.ruger.com/products/1022Carbine/specSheets/1151.html you might consider taking a look at it.

Slowly weaning myself away from the old Remington Nylon 66 (constant use since `82). Wanted something else in the same wt. range. Put a x10 Nikon scope on the synthetic Ruger. With a small LED spot, at night - pretty acceptable. Loading time for Ruger magazines - assuming that rifle is next to door - unloaded/bolt locked open - is negligible. Just remember to remove magazine and lock the bolt in the open position when done (kids and all).

One thing I've noticed with the Ruger box mags (from factory) is that the factory `tightness' tolerances are a little too severe (occasional misfeed/no feed). I've gotten into the habit of disassemble/reassemble after purchase as this clears up the problem.

 

[Jeffross1968]

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?

Couple neighbors are each a couple acres away. They are all gun owners and active hunters.

 

[tom e]

I have a single action ruger revolver in .22 that has an additional cylinder that allows it to shoot .22WMR for bigger stuff. I mostly shoot CB rounds because they are so quiet. Out here I'm mostly shooting at ground squirrels and gophers though. The gun was bought used for around 400, and it's basically two in one which I love. This would be my first recommendation, especially if the animal is in a trap already.

I also have a henry lever .22 which I like a lot, but have still shot most things successfully with the revolver, just because its more likely to be with me when I'm walking around. The henry basically stays at the upstairs window for ground squirrels stealing chicken feed in the summer.

 

[Rvl Rookie]

I agree with getting a .22lr first, because it will handle all the small game/predators that would come after chickens. Something for larger game (like deer and hogs) could be added later.

My favorite .22lr is a Ruger 77/22. It takes the same type magazine as the 10/22, but the 77/22 is a bolt action. Great fun plinking with bulk pack ammo from Walmart, but for hunting I normally use either CCI MiniMags or Stingers. I'd shoot Stingers exclusively, if they came for the same price as Winchester WildCats.

I've used it to kill squirrels, rabbits, crows, a fox, bull frogs, etc., and it always does the job. (The one on the right)

 

[The Lazy L]

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

I was allowed too. I knew if I did something stupid Dad would insure that I would regret it for the rest of my short life.

Today it would be sue the gun manufacturer, sue the gun store, arrest the parents and adopt more gun laws.

 

[Joe.G]

I would suggest a Ruger 10-22 gun is cheap and the rounds are cheap, Or you could get a .17 or a 22 Mag This will handle pretty much any size predator that you deal with It is still a small caliber easy to shoot.

It is always good to have a 20 Ga shot gun around also.

 

[Shawnee_b]

and I thought I was the only one that keeps his 30-06 by the door.

M1 Garand for me and it's ready.

 

[Shawnee_b]

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?

Doesn't take any more time to slap a mag in either one and you still work a "bolt" to chamber a round, the semi uses a bolt, just that it is a semi action not a bolt action. Either will suffice, glad your thinking 22's.