Advice

[BBF]

I need some advise here not having much smarts on shotguns myself.
 
I have  some In-Laws close by, actually they are more like Outlaws to me.
 
The live on 25 acres and have a bunch of free roaming chickens which are locked up at night. There is the distinct possibility that a coyote or similar varmint/raptors considers those chickens a dinner waiting to be consumed.
 
At present that tribe of outlaws has not a single firearm amongst them.
 They were discussing getting a rifle, no idea of what kind or cartridge at this stage of contemplation by them. I can help there if needed.
 
I suggested the possibility of a shotgun vs a rifle being there is one neighbor within rifle range and I have no confidence in their marksmanship.
 
 If a shotgun is chosen I presume it would be a new  pump. Cost is a major consideration for them. I doubt the firarm would be used for anything other then protecting the chickens so it would be rarely used.
 
Question: What brand and model?
What size shot for coyotes?
What sort of effective range can be expected with what sort of choke? 
 
Thanks Guys

[1sourdough]

 If they don't own a gun maybe they are not well versed in firearms & safety?? That would be a consideration. I'd look to a pump shotgun that has the open ejection port, to see in the chamber easily, like a Rem 870 or a Mossberg 500, nice & simple. Something like a 26" barrel, maybe 24" with a 'modified' or the choke tubes. Something like a 'turkey gun' is it.

   For shot I'd be up near #4 buck for about everything. Yes the 'Heavi-shot' type "T" would do better, but for what they are doing plain #4 buck would do. You would want to get some cheapo shells also for some practice & familiarization 1st though. They need to learn some fundamentals  along the way, very important.

[S.E.Ak]

I would get a used H&R 12ga single and load it with twos or BB's

[1sourdough]

 For simplicity, cost & ease of operation, yes a break action single shot would do.

[SHOOTALL]

I would get a used H&R 12ga single and load it with twos or BB's

That combo has been saving chickens for years .

[pastorp]

+1 on the break barrel singleshot. Always start out new shooters with a SS either rifle or shotgun.

Regards,

[huntswithdogs]

Some kind of single barrel would be the most idiot proof(not that I'm taking down about your  inlaws, just folks in general), with a pumpgun in close second. #4 buck(which should prove interesting out of a single barrel, to an inexperienced shooter) or maybe some high velocity turkey loads. I don't know much about the Ts or BBs so I can't talk about them. These are for the coyote/fox/bobcat kind of varmint.

While I know it's done, explain about being careful before shooting any lind of flying predator. Most of them are Federally Protected and the penalties ain't cheap.

HWD

[Schmitti]

While I know it's done, explain about being careful before shooting any lind of flying predator. Most of them are Federally Protected and the penalties ain't cheap.

HWD

Indeed. Fed, State and Local Wardens will come down on you hard for shooting raptors as they are protected species. Also, raptors are not going to go through the numbers of birds that a 4 legger will. If they are worried about raptors taking chickens they should invest in a scarecrow or something similar that they can move around with the chickens. Even Large pinwheels or mylar streamers tied to the ends of 6' rebar stakes will keep larger birds away.

E

[BBF]

Thanks Guys
 "Here" is Canada and at least one member of the Outlaws will have to get licensed which involves firearms safety and familiarization. I was thinking of the H&R shotgun myself but hesitated because of those naughty transfer bars.
 
What I haven't read and still would like to know is the effective coyote range one could expect.

[sachel.45]

that depends on the choke and the load. I patterned my H&R turkey gun 24" barrel with a fixed full choke with #4 buck shot and I was comfortable out to 30 yards. With my 870 and a super full choke shooting 3" lead BB's I was comfortable out to 40 yards. Regardless of what they get there going to have to pattern the gun to find out what it likes and what they are comfortable with. I would stick with lead or high density BB's or larger for coyotes and pest.

[BBF]

OK, my uneducated guess was 30 yards. That is what I will tell them when this subject comes up.
 
 Thanks sachsel. l

[S.E.Ak]

I think with BB's you will penetrate to at least forty yards.You just want to kill it,don't matter what field it dies in

[SHOOTALL]

With a load of BB or BBB hevi-shot from a3 inch or  3.5 inch shell its not hard to take giant Canada geese at 60 yards and in some cases 80 ( 80 would be for swatter loads on wounded geese in some cases ). Best choke I have found is IM . Full or extra full deforms some shot , inside 40 yards its not a problem but out in the 60-80 yard range I have had better patterns with IM. improved modifyed. BTW If you buy a goose choke tube it most likely will be IM and duck LM. lite modifyed.

[BBF]

No action on all of that as yet. If and when the "outlaws" decide I'll post the result.

[45-70.gov]

h&r  single shot

20 guage  with  #2 0r #3  buckshot

12 guage  may kick too much  and  common 00 buck might be too dangeous

22  with  a low power scope  if you want to sight it in for them  [bolt   for safety  sake]

[keith44]

For ease of operation and easy low price I agree with a single shot.  I would also say that the H&R is likely the best on the market, with in that price range.  Consider for a moment though, Coyotes tend to run in packs.  Since more than one is likely to be encountered I strongly recommend a pump gun instead.  This gun will have more mass and therefore will have a lesser free recoil.  This translates into a lower felt recoil. 
 
Most full choked guns will shoot well to 35 yards with any sane load.  To kill a coyote where it stands will likely require a head shot with #2's or larger shot within 25 yards.  To cure the chicken problem, and not have to dispose of the carcass have them aim behind the shoulder at all ranges.  A hole from a single #4 shot pellet into a lung, the liver, the intestinal tract etc and the animal is dead, it just may take a little while.
 

[BBF]

 
..........................  A hole from a single #4 shot pellet into a lung, the liver, the intestinal tract etc and the animal is dead, it just may take a little while.

Knowing them   they would rather have it die off their property instead of having to deal with disposing the carcass themselves.

[SHOOTALL]

Well if they want to be that way why not shoot critters in the gut with a 22LR and make sure they suffer before they die ?

[BBF]

Well if they want to be that way why not shoot critters in the gut with a 22LR and make sure they suffer before they die ?

Now that would be cruel, anyway nobody there made any more noise so I'm keeping out of it. I'm counting on the inconvenience of getting the necessary paperwork to keep them firearm free.

[ironglow]

I would get a used H&R 12ga single and load it with twos or BB's

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
 
    AGREED !

[BBF]

Almost agee, I would recommend a 20 gauge being the most likely shooter is a female.

[ironglow]

  Yes; a 12 ga H&R can remind one of a mule..especially with slugs.  Never noticed it much while hunting...but it was tough sighting in..

[keith44]

Well if they want to be that way why not shoot critters in the gut with a 22LR and make sure they suffer before they die ?

Now that would be cruel, anyway nobody there made any more noise so I'm keeping out of it. I'm counting on the inconvenience of getting the necessary paperwork to keep them firearm free.

I am hoping that by pointing out the potential for suffering that the would be new gun owner becomes too squeemish to actually go through with the purchase.  A more likely outcome is they get all the paperwork through buy the gun, and store it in such a manner that everyone and everything is perfectly safe.  Can't leave it, can't store the gun and ammo together, and all the other so called rules will delay them getting to the gun when it is actually needed.  That's where I'm puttin' my money anyway.
 
 

[Savage .250]

 If price is a consideration, check out the local  Gun Show, if you have any.   Good place to pick up a used shot-gun at a good price.     

[BBF]

We have two shows in my area per year.

[dougk]

I think with BB's you will penetrate to at least forty yards.You just want to kill it,don't matter what field it dies in

I use 3 inch BB or BBB and have been able to reach out beyond 40 yards.  I believe it was close to 50 yards on a raccoon.

[ironglow]

If price is a consideration, check out the local  Gun Show, if you have any.   Good place to pick up a used shot-gun at a good price.   

*************************************************************************
  Savage;
  Gun shows in your area must be different than around here..   Few "bargains" to be had at gun shows here...and it's been that way for a few years.

[tacklebury]

+1 on shows here.  Have seen some wonderful deals at small backwater shops though.  Buddy just got his son a vintage Stevens 30-30 bolt action rifle for $150 bucks.  Almost mint gun.  8(  I had to watch him walk out with it, because I didn't want to buy it out from under him, but I knew his boy would love it.