Single farm gun recommendations

[Notforhire]

Yeah me too, I swapped off the bolt action when I was 14 for a semi-auto and havent looked back. A nice bolt action single shot is great for a youngster to teach him or her the value of ammunition conservation, but for an adult having quick follow up shots when needed seems more appropiate in a utility rifle.

James K0UA

I have to agree. While a 22 bolt gun does allow you to shoot different ammo, like CB caps, shorts, I also prefer an auto. They are more ammo sensitive than other actions, but once you find what works and what doesn't, they are very reliable. Accurate? I have a 22 auto that I can hit a half dollar at 100 yards. For me, that's good enough.
One thing not mentioned (unless I've missed it) is fit.
I own a Browning pump shotgun. The plastic stock model has different dimensions than the wood stock. One smacks me in the jaw the other does not. Fit is very important in shotgunning. If you can try out a gun, all the better.

Bill

 

[nybirdman]

On another note about ammo...in the .22 caliber there are several "Power" loadings..from sub-sonic(accurate/less power) to hyper velocity(which come close to .22 magnum but a little less accurate).Standard .22 is readily available and cheap.
.410 shot gun ammo cost twice what 12 gauge ammo cost!,and not as available.
.22 standard,12 gauge shot-gun and 30-06 ammo are available almost anywhere at very decent prices.

 

[blunosr]

I agree with Canoetrpr and James on the semi-auto .22, I have one, and I did suggest you get one. But for mercy killing a sick/injured animal you want to make sure, and not have to fire many rounds to do it. The new .22 semi-autos have such a light breech block that a lot of the hitting power is gone at the muzzle. The OP said he wanted a gun to put down animals around the farm when they are in distress. If it were me, I would use a hunting rifle (7mm as I suggested before) for that purpose, and be sure on the first shot. There's nothing worse than wounding an animal. I once shot a bear right between the eyes with a .44 Rem Mag (it was a lucky shot). He dropped like a sack of potatoes, but the bullet didn't come out the back of the skull. I was shocked, and disappointed, at the limited penetration.

The semi-auto .22 does encourage you to shoot a lot, and get loads of practice and become a good shot. I highly recommend them for plinking, and just becoming familiar with firearms. Remember that they aren't toys, and they can kill you, so treat it the same as any high-powered rifle.

 

[canoetrpr]

One of the things I have learned after you guys pointed me to a .22 is how incredibly cheap the ammo is compared to other calibre. I'm I just not looking in the right places or is there not a slightly more powerful caliber firearm available whose ammo isn't THAT much more than the .22 so that you could actually practice with the darn thing!

I was looking at 30-06 or .300 and they seem to be just under a buck a round!

 

[k0ua]

One of the things I have learned after you guys pointed me to a .22 is how incredibly cheap the ammo is compared to other calibre. I'm I just not looking in the right places or is there not a slightly more powerful caliber firearm available whose ammo isn't THAT much more than the .22 so that you could actually practice with the darn thing!

I was looking at 30-06 or .300 and they seem to be just under a buck a round!

Well .223 is about the cheapest of the centerfire rifle rounds, that I can think of. yes .22LR is the cheapest thing you can shoot. (and the most fun!) That is why I went into the reloading thing for centerfire.. I used to shoot several thousand pistol rounds ever year, but I would have went bankrupt if I had to buy then new. 9mm may be about the cheapest centerfire pistol cartridge due to the popularity of it and availibillity of surplus. Of course you can reload it too. .38 special revolver may be as cheap or cheaper, and is very easy to reload, and use all lead bullets instead of jacketed if you like without much problem in .38 at the velocities it travels. and the fact you never really have feeding problems with a revolver. Some 9mm will eat lead bullets, and some do not like them very well. (Glock or any other polygonal rifleing pistol)

12 guage can be reloaded, and I have reloaded thousands of them. AA winchester hulls reload best in my opinon. but the really cheap wally world Federals or Remingtons, with the 6 petal hex crimp dont reload easily but they are relativley cheap to buy new and they work OK in most guns. As for the big centerfire rifle rounds part of what you are paying for in some of them is the cost of a premium hunting bullet. If you buy "plinking" or surplus ammo. you can usually save quite a bit over premium hunting rounds. But we are talking about a FMJ (Full Metal Jacket) vs. a high quality hunting bullet. There that is enough for now.

James K0UA

 

[lockhaven]

I have used a 10-22 to drop many steers and pigs never a problem

 

[Notforhire]

The new .22 semi-autos have such a light breech block that a lot of the hitting power is gone at the muzzle..

The bolt on a blowback semi auto does not move until the chamber pressure has dropped off. If it did the case would split or otherwise blow out. A 22lr only needs about 16 inches of barrel to reach full velocity. The only person I ever heard of that did chronograph tests on 22lr auto VS locked breach found 20fps difference. You can see 20fps deviation in 22 ammo box to box of the same brand. I don't think that is something to worry about.
Another thought, Ruger, Marlin and others make 38 Special/357 mag rifles. If you want to start reloading, they can be cheap to shoot. A 357 mag fired out of a rifle is fairly close to 30-30 energy at short range. Even buying factory rounds it's cheaper than rifle ammo.
Too many choices :confused2::confused2::confused2:

Bill

 

[canoetrpr]

Another thought, Ruger, Marlin and others make 38 Special/357 mag rifles.

I just poked around their sites based on your post. The 1894 38/357 mag lever action that Marlin makes is a fine looking rifle.

 

[RobertN]

That Marlin is a really nice rifle. Have put a few rounds thru one... Mild recoil, handy to carry. And, is drilled/tapped for a scope mount. After experience with one, I would like one in 44spl/44mag

I just poked around their sites based on your post. The 1894 38/357 mag lever action that Marlin makes is a fine looking rifle.

 

[Notforhire]

I just poked around their sites based on your post. The 1894 38/357 mag lever action that Marlin makes is a fine looking rifle.

They are nice accurate rifles. One problem though. Marlin was bought out and their moving production to NY, I think. At any rate no 1894 rifles are being produced at this time, so prices are high. Hang onto your socks:shocked:I just sold my like new, but used 1894CB 357 for $1078.00! That gun is popular with cowboy action shooters, and that also effects the price.
Ruger makes a SS bolt action .357 that full retails for $793.00. While that's not cheap, it's better than $1078.00, and like I said, that's the full retail price. I'm sure they sell for less. There are other lever guns built in .357, but I don't think they are as nice as the Marlins, in my opinion.
If you want to handload, you can hunt small game to deer with any of these rifles.:thumbsup:

Bill