Weapon suggestion

[thekid]

Wile E. :

A .22 long rifle is a good choice. You gain little with a .22 magnum and the ammo costs are much higher. Keep in mind that the solid lead bullets of a .22 will ricochet, and the bullets will go a over a mile if shot into the air.
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Don't go with a .17 HMR. I have one. Lots of fun, but I wouldn't trust it on something like a large dog. Of course, you hit the dog, he might not come back, but he might be running around with a very ugly wound.

If you desire more power, a .223 centerfire will handle anything that would bother chickens. Or people for that matter. I will be pretty loud, but the kick is negligible. My sister in law shot one on Christmas Eve and she liked it. Ammo is relatively cheap compared to other centerfire.


If you are going to shoot an animal, aim for the ribs right behind the front leg. The lungs are what you want to hit. Not survivable, and it is the largest essential organ. With larger animals, shoot until they fall over. Then shoot them in the head to finish them.

But if it is some little kids pet german shepard I would rather have a dog with a wound than a dead dog, and plus if they see that it has a wound they wouldnt dare try it again​

 

[zzGypsy]

Quote:
But if it is some little kids pet german shepard I would rather have a dog with a wound than a dead dog, and plus if they see that it has a wound they wouldnt dare try it again

no, but in a lot of areas they will be happy to come sue your butt. even if it's their fault the dog was on your property killing your chickens. they may lose, but that won't restore your time or neighborly relations. sticking with SSS.
a kid loses a dog that doesn't come back, that kid is sad. a kid finds his dog bleeding to death on his porch after being shot, now that's a tramatic moment. it's all sad for the dog, but I'm going for the clean kill, and I expect once I shoot him in my yard, he'll remain here.

it's hard enough killing a dog, I don't want to have to go defend myself in court too.

 

[Wile E.]

Quote:
Try what again? The dog probably is not out killing chickens with its owners blessing. I had a dog that I had to keep tied up. I would let him loose for some exercise. Turn your head for a second and he's gone. I would not have cared if he came home with some holes in him, or if he didn't come home. He was just a nuisance though and not killing chickens.

Trying to teach a dog a lesson by wounding him with a .17 isn't very bright. Trying to kill one with a .17 is an iffy proposition. I shot one last winter with a .223 that required a followup shot because I didn't want it to suffer. A .223 is much more powerful than a .17.

A complicating factor is these animals are not going to stand there to be shot, and you have to do it with your house and livestock in the vicinity. It took me three tries to shoot the dog because it always got away before I could find a shot direction that was safe. So you might need to take a shot on an angle where the bullet needs to pentrate aways and a .17 doesn't do that as well.

I love my .17, and if that is what I had handy I'd use it, but it is not what I would recommend, and especially not for a first gun.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

But if it is some little kids pet german shepard I would rather have a dog with a wound than a dead dog, and plus if they see that it has a wound they wouldnt dare try it again

You never shoot any animal with the intention of wounding it.

If it's LEGAL for you to shoot, it's legal for you to kill it, and you can't be too concerned with what the owner may think.

That can be dealt with after the crisis is over​

 

[twentynine]

Last reply to this thread.

Completely out of hand.

Comment from kid about wounding a dog. wrong Wrong WRONG!!!!!!!!

One of the most ridiculous statements I have ever read here on byc.

 

[geoff40]

Even if livetock laws are on your side, and shooting the dog is perfectly legal, you can still be sued for it. Like the punk who B&E's in to a house and gets shot and wounded by the home owner, then sues the home owner. Scary thing is, sometimes they win. Civil court is enirely different from criminal court, too often the law is cast away in civil court. Entering a civil trial as a defendant with the plan of winning because the law is on your side s not a very smart idea.

 

[Bear Foot Farm]

Even if livetock laws are on your side, and shooting the dog is perfectly legal, you can still be sued for it.

The only other option is to let the dog kill your birds.

Are you going to worry about possibly being sued, or protect your animals?​

 

[rrgrassi]

Go with the .22. I have a Marlin .22 semi auto that uses .22LR. I like the .22LR because you can use .22LR hollow points. This gun was bought in 1982 when I was in High School. I paid $70 for it brand new a K-Mart.

A pellet gun can be more accurate than a BB gun.

 

[djjeffery]

I would suggest a pellet gun. You may laugh but I think its perfect.

No kick back
Light
Very affordable
Good for beginner
Non lethal
Any predator hit will not come back.


IMO a single pump is prefered over purchasing air cylinders.
A quick google search listed many sites with information and places to purchase online line for under $50 http://www.airgundepot.com/single-pump-air-rifles.html

 

[OldGuy43]

Another anti-predator favorite of mine The M18A1:

Works even if you are away.