[frank4570]

We again have dog problems. 2 of the neighbors had their dogs attacked by dog on the loose.
So I would like a functional gun to throw in the back of the truck, or lean up against the front door. I thought one of the cheap break action handi-rifles was going to be perfect. But it seems they have a lot of problems.
I looked at getting rifle barrel and stock for my Contender frame, but it seems a new rifle would be cheaper.

Any suggestions?

[byf43]

Local ordinance(s) on shooting in/near residential area(s)?????

Suggestions:

Air rifle.
Used, bolt action .22lr that's capable of using 22 short or 22 CB.

Be prepared for the impending litigation or questioning by the Poh-Leeeeese.

[Filhar]

Go to Rossiusa.com and look at the Ranch Hand

[Farmalljon]

.223 is an exellent "anti-dog" round, so any of the AR-15 rifles equiped with a red dot sight would be ideal. If an AR is too pricey, than a Ruger mini 14 is a great, less expensive choice. And if you want to go even cheaper than that, pick up a used SKS somewhere, and put a red dot sight on that. 7.62 x 39 out of an SKS is great for dogs too. The SKS is the least accurate of the three, but it should hold 4" groups at 100yds, which is plenty accurate for what you want to do. Note that all three of my choices are semi-autos. You mentioned some single shot choices. IMO, single shot rifles do not make good choices for protection against dog attacks. The dog could be running at you, or another animal that it wishes to harm, and fast follow up shots are must in these situations. While other action styles beat the hell out of no gun, i really feel semi auto is the way to go here. Anyone else agree or disagree?

[BuckeyePPC]

Originally Posted by Filhar

Go to Rossiusa.com and look at the Ranch Hand

While you are there, look at their lever action rifles. 10 rounds of .38sp or .357mag in a fast lever action would be fine.

[DeLo]

kel tec su16c

[CBennett]

Id use a short shotgun(meaning short LEGAL length) some buckshot,or even BB or T shot is gonna put a hurt into something. maybe a Rem870 or one of those new Savage models. If it had to be a rifle I guess id pick a lever-action something like a 30/30 ....better yet if your not really hunting with it go for the model that shoots .357 mag or .38 special...thats nothing to sneeze at out of a rifle barrel.

but id still go Pump shotgun if I had your situation.

and the only thing I use a single shot gun for is hunting stuff thats not gonna either attack,run at me,or im gonna eat for food..ive got a handi rifle its a good woodchuck,deer,squirrel gun..but the last thing id pick up in your situation.

[frank4570]

Originally Posted by byf43

Local ordinance(s) on shooting in/near residential area(s)?????

We are out in the country. Animal control tells to just shoot problem dogs. We've killed a few of them.

[frank4570]

You guys have made realize I have options I hadn't thought of. I have a couple ruger 1022s. Not really sure if I like such a small caliber though. I have a bolt 22 mag. And I have an 870, might prefer more range than the shotty. I have a AR-15 but I don't want people to see it in my truck, just too tempting to steal it.
I have the Saiga .308 box fed..not so expensive. It's a lot of gun though.

[Syclone538]

Originally Posted by byf43

Local ordinance(s) on shooting in/near residential area(s)?????

Suggestions:

Air rifle.
Used, bolt action .22lr that's capable of using 22 short or 22 CB.

Be prepared for the impending litigation or questioning by the Poh-Leeeeese.

It's sad to see what living in New England can do to someone's whole mentality about guns. Now, I do choose to shoot stray dogs with a BB gun, but not because I'm afraid of someone calling the sheriff's department or what they would say if someone did.

[Bren]

Originally Posted by Syclone538

It's sad to see what living in New England can do to someone's whole mentality about guns. Now, I do choose to shoot stray dogs with a BB gun, but not because I'm afraid of someone calling the sheriff's department or what they would say if someone did.

It's a forum about 90% full of suburban types - "liberal" by shooters' standards - who got their first gun in the last few years. Nothing surprises me here.

OP - for a truck gun for your use, I'd go find a .44 mag or .357 mag lever action Winchester, Marlin or Henry.

[frank4570]

Originally Posted by Bren

It's a forum about 90% full of suburban types - "liberal" by shooters' standards - who got their first gun in the last few years. Nothing surprises me here.

OP - for a truck gun for your use, I'd go find a .44 mag or .357 mag lever action Winchester, Marlin or Henry.

I had absolutely not considered a lever gun at all. But it does make a lot of sense.

[1gewehr]

Get a Mosin-Nagant 91/30. About $100 bucks, cheap ammo, virtually indestructible, and can be used to butt-stroke if shooting is not called for.

[Fox]

If you want cheap, go pawnshopping for a good, used .22 rifle.

[PISTOLHUNTER]

The .22 mag bolt gun you have will work fine.

[Fox]

I bought a used "Plainsman" rifle produced by CVA sometime back in the 1970s. It's a percussion muzzle loading rifle made for shooting patched round ball. I got a nice tight cloverleaf at 50yds with it. It only cost me $100 at a local pawnshop.

I know that few here would choose a muzzleloading rifle for anything, but it will kill feral dogs just fine. One can keep it in their truck and if it gets stolen, well it's not something the average thief will be able to use for armed robbery. So no worries about it being used for robbery or murders. A thief will likely try to sell it for dope money.

[dosei]

Originally Posted by frank4570

You guys have made realize I have options I hadn't thought of. I have a couple ruger 1022s. Not really sure if I like such a small caliber though. I have a bolt 22 mag. And I have an 870, might prefer more range than the shotty. I have a AR-15 but I don't want people to see it in my truck, just too tempting to steal it.
I have the Saiga .308 box fed..not so expensive. It's a lot of gun though.

Many coyotes have met their end complements of the 22 mag.

AR by the door in the house, bolt 22 mag in the truck, & you're covered for zero money out the door.

[SixkillerEnterprises]

SKS maybe?

[MadMonkey]

Marlin 336 in 30-30.

[frank4570]

Originally Posted by dosei

Many coyotes have meet their end complements of the 22 mag.

AR by the door in the house, bolt 22 mag in the truck, & you're covered for zero money out the door.

That's a pretty good plan. It makes a lot of sense.

[HAMMERHEAD]

I bought one of the 20" H&R classic carbines in .45 Colt last year. Great little gun, plenty of 'thump'. Mine is a tack driver out to 50 yards. No problems with any of my Handi rifles or Topper shot guns, my friend has a few too, no problems.

Plenty of used barrels and stocks for your Contender on Gunbroker.

A 45, 44 or 357 leverguns would be another good choice.

I keep my single shot .45 Colt in my SUV most of the time.

[VinnieD]

For a dog I think even a little .410/45 derringer would suffice, but if you don't think you can get the job done in two shots, then I'd second the notion of a lever action carbine. They're compact, easy to shoot, and if you get them in a pistol caliber like .357 the weight and barrel length really help to mitigate the recoil.

The Rossi ranch hand may just suit your needs. It's still functionally a carbine, but so short it's legally sold as a handgun (check state laws on carrying a handgun in the car). That makes it mobile enough to move around a confined space like the cab of a truck.

[WarEagle32]

The main thing that I would want in this situation is semi automatic capability or a pump shotgun. You can get a new mossberg 500 tactical type riot shotgun for just over 200. That would be my 1st choice. My 2nd choice if I were you would be a ruger 10/22 with a 30 magazine. That 22 loaded with stingers or velocitors will put a big size dog down.

[LSUAdman]

Not sure I would fall on the .22 band wagon...not saying it wouldnt work, but personally I'd like something a little more.

Have you looked at the Kel Tec folding options? They have the pistol caliber Sub2ks, plus the PLR and the SU-16 series of .223s.

Other than that, a lever action in almost any caliber would be perfect. Its not going to be your general shooter, so what ever you find in a decent caliber that is comfortable to shoot should do the job.

Let us kow what you decide on!

[Tim151515]

Originally Posted by Bren

OP - for a truck gun for your use, I'd go find a .44 mag or .357 mag lever action Winchester, Marlin or Henry.

This. It would be hard to beat a magnum lever action for a truck gun. Rugged, Reliable and many can be had for not too high of a tag. However, if you want a rugged, reliable semi(flame suit on) I would even look at a Hi Point carbine in .45acp, or maybe a mini14, but that would run you about 5-600...IDK if I would consider that cheap.