Ideas for an all weather farm gun
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jmorris
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That was kid of my point of using the firearm as a “tool”. You don’t need a gun that can shoot 1000’s of rounds, you need one you don’t care how long it sits there, all it needs to do is be able to kill when you need to kill something.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get that, you just need to get something that you can see as a tool, a “beater” if you will. I have a number of them, many are also referred to as “loaner” guns, so if someone puts a ding on the finish or blemish on the stock I won’t flip out.
For what you have described, I feel like a 30-30 would be great. Its light-weight, very comfortable to carry with no scope, and can easily make shots at the distances in question. On top of that, I think the iron sights are the weak point on the rifle for a farm gun. They would be the first thing damaged when thrown around the truck or tractor. That's not a terrible thing, as long as you had some decent way of standing it up while moving and it doesn't fall off and get run over (it happened to a chainsaw of mine from the tractor).
I personally use a Rossi 454 Casull loaded with 45 LC as my farm and truck gun. Most of our shots aren't over 100 yards and the 45 does fine for that. Usually it's just a noise maker anyways, to make the deer that live on OUR land aware of dangers of the road poaching degenerates that frequent us after midnight. It's also good enough for feed destroying squirrels when they are fairly close, say 20 yards.
Or an old SKS, because x39
I personally use a Rossi 454 Casull loaded with 45 LC as my farm and truck gun. Most of our shots aren't over 100 yards and the 45 does fine for that. Usually it's just a noise maker anyways, to make the deer that live on OUR land aware of dangers of the road poaching degenerates that frequent us after midnight. It's also good enough for feed destroying squirrels when they are fairly close, say 20 yards.
Or an old SKS, because x39
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Aikibiker
Member
An AR can be had for under $400 these days. Check Palmetto State Armory, they seem to always have a sale or three running.
If you are going to shoot any firearm without ear protection may I suggest a silencer and subsonic ammo. You can form 1 (the paper work that allows you to build your own suppressor) a "solvent trap" and be into a rifle suppressor for about $300 tax stamp included.
If you are going to shoot any firearm without ear protection may I suggest a silencer and subsonic ammo. You can form 1 (the paper work that allows you to build your own suppressor) a "solvent trap" and be into a rifle suppressor for about $300 tax stamp included.
A .357 magnum Handi-Rifle with a receiver sight, shooting lead-lubed bullets may be the perfect rifle for you. Greased lead bullets, like target wadcutters would preserve the bore and receiver sight is all you need for accuracy and it won't fail you like a knocked-around scope. It's hard to keep a farm rifle bore clean, so protecting it with each shot is worth thinking about.
If you used magnum rounds for bigger, tougher animals, just shoot a wadcutter or two afterward, to coat the bore, or preferably, swab it with a Break-Free soaked patch.
If you used magnum rounds for bigger, tougher animals, just shoot a wadcutter or two afterward, to coat the bore, or preferably, swab it with a Break-Free soaked patch.
It is just amazing how so many people think the AR is the perfect tool for every job....hate to tell you this it is pretty far from it.
I think this is the first time I have seen someone say the AR is "From a maintenance & repair standpoint, the AR is far simpler. " then say over a bolt rifle....or lever gun....wow....just wow.
I think this is the first time I have seen someone say the AR is "From a maintenance & repair standpoint, the AR is far simpler. " then say over a bolt rifle....or lever gun....wow....just wow.
Man I’ve got ar’s that have rode in the pickup through several 100k miles without any significant cleaning. I clean the bore every couple hundred rounds if it’s an accuracy gun. Otherwise they don’t need cleaning if you close the dust cover.
I used to carry bolt guns and I’ve actually galled the lugs on the action on one from too much dust in it. You can’t keep the dust out of the action on any bolt I’m familiar with. Not to mention crown damage if you don’t have a proper rack. (Flash hider is easily replaced.)
Lever guns work good. But the action can still get gritty and chamberings aren’t real good for us in open country. It’s hard to get a coyote at 400 with a 30-30.
I’d argue an AR is pretty well designed to be carried in a dusty environment and knocked around. No finish to protect, you can clean one with brake cleaner and relube on the tailgate if needed without disassembly. Chambering and setup options for every need. Don’t like something? Just change it. Accuracy is catching bolt guns fast. Where 3 moa was acceptable in 2000, 2 moa kinda standard in 2010, nowadays lots of sub moa AR’s out there.
It may not float everyone’s boat, but it’s certainly a good option.
bc38
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my great uncle had a large cow farm up the road a bit from where i grew up. using tire inner tube, pop rivets, some wire made into a hook keep an 30-40 Krag strapped to the fender of his J.D. 4010. we never heard of bungee cords, maybe they were not around. he used it on deer, ducks, foxes,.......... find an old milsurp bolt gun someone worked over at the kitchen table sometime in the 50's or 60's. it will work in all conditions and you dont have to worry if it gets a little snow, mud or cow pie splattered on it. just be forewarned you may start to like this rifle and think it need to be treated better then it losses its usefulness.
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OP
OP
fireman 9731
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I think a Handi-Rifle in 357 is the ticket. I already have an H&R Buffalo Classic so I'm familiar with them. I also have plenty of 38/357 revolvers to pair with it. Now the hard part will be finding one.
I already have an AR and it just isn't the right tool for this job (gasp!) I need something that can be with me as much as possible while performing farm tasks. Something that I can easily sling while carrying feed sacks and buckets of water. Something that is slim and sleek and not covered in pokey parts. There is a lot of bulk in an AR.
I could even shoot shot shells in it!
I already have an AR and it just isn't the right tool for this job (gasp!) I need something that can be with me as much as possible while performing farm tasks. Something that I can easily sling while carrying feed sacks and buckets of water. Something that is slim and sleek and not covered in pokey parts. There is a lot of bulk in an AR.
I could even shoot shot shells in it!
Armored farmer
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I built an AR for farm use from anderson parts. It is very accurate. I put an inexpensive reflex sight on it.
It has ridden 3 harvests with me in my 2388 combine. My air ride seat rubbed a hole in the case and the proceeded to knaw a notch in the fore end. I could easily replace the damaged fore end if i want.
Imho, .223 is about minimum for 100yd coyotes.
Armored farmer
Member
Oddly enough the handi rifle would be my second choice. I have a couple of them myself. The elastic ammo sleeve on the stock makes for pretty quick load/unload.
I am not s huge AR fan as some might think. I prefer levers or even flintlocks, but.....if you really want to thin out the coyotes, imho the AR is pretty good coyote medicine. Usually by the time i get my machinery whoaed down, and step out on the platform with a loaded rifle...mr coyote is loping away. Varmints are the one thing i dont mind raining some firepower down on.
You'r simply not going to kill as many coyotes with the handi rifle as you will with an AR. Imho. Maybe 2:1 in fzvor of the AR.(from my experience with both)
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MachIVshooter
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Of course it isn't. But for the OP's stated need, it really is.
Do you really want to debate that one with me?
Why don't you grab, say, a Winchester M70, a Marlin 336 and an AR 15 and put a new extractor in each. Do it sitting in your truck with no more than the tools or random things you'd have in there on any given day. A broken extractor will stop most any gun from working dead in it's tracks, even a single shot. Maybe you get lucky and can dig the fired case out with your trusty knife, but good luck doing that with most repeaters.
One doesn't need anything more than a single round of ammo to do the AR. Or ball point pen, pocket knife, paper clip-anything to push a small pin out. Not drive; push. You might get the M70 with just a flat blade screwdriver or sturdy knife, but you're likely to get hurt in the process. A levergun? Forget it.
What are the odds of an extractor breaking? Higher than you'd think with some manual action guns. Leverguns frequently have extraction & ejection issues.
Just because the operation is manual and the weapon seems simpler to you doesn't mean it is. When bolt & lever guns lock up or need major repair, which they do, it's beyond the capability of the average end user.
And before you even think about bringing up that ARs get parts replaced more frequently than bolt, lever, pump or single shot guns, consider the round counts. I would wager that your typical manual action gun is unlikely to see 1,000 rounds in it's owner's lifetime, while a significant portion of the ARs out there will exceed that in just a few range outings. My first rifle, a 700 BDL .25-06, has not had even 600 rounds through it. My first AR, an Armalite M15A2C, bought several years later, has fired over 12,000 rounds, and it' still rocking all original parts.
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22250Rem
Member
Based on the OP's needs I'd go with the previously mentioned Ruger Ranch rifle. With most shots at 100 yds. or less with a rare 200 yd. opportunity a .223 would work for 'yotes, or possibly even 7.62x39. Synthetic stock with a nice looking matte black finish that looks as if it may be durable. I almost bought one and when I picked it up my first impression was "it feels handy". For a "utility rifle" a bolt gun is easier to clean occasionally and has less moving parts. That's a plus if it's something that gets left on the back porch or in the barn once in a while.
someguy2800
Member
Actually an AR is the perfect tool for coyote control. In fact its the only job where an AR15 is useful to me.
Kendal Black
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Well there you go! My way of sorting things out is to decide on the cartridge first and let that be the leading requirement. H&R and Rossi have offered .357 break-action singles in the past. Watching Gunbroker for either/or might work. There was talk of .357 barrels for the Midland folding shotgun, but I've seen no barrels as yet. Of course there are all sorts of higher dollar options in .357.
Steel Horse Rider
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I would probably first grab my Marlin lever gun in .357 mag but my surefire second choice would be Yugo SKS for sure.
Hokie_PhD
Member
Hmm
Are you sure?
What other platform let’s you shoot 22LR to 50 BMG with the same receiver? Just swap uppers
223 nice and cheap
22Lr cheap ammo
300 Blackout can be used super or sub sonic and really great for suppressors
6.5 Grendel great for longer range
50 BMG sometimes you just need to be American and get the biggest and baddest
And that’s all on a standard AR 15 lower. If we go AR 10 there are even more possibilities, and then there are ARs in pistol calibers.
Love them or hate them, there’s no denying they’re flexible and offer endless possibilities. Also they’re totally customizable. Name another platform that’s even close.
So yea there may be specialized applications where an AR may not be best. But I can’t think of a role the AR can’t do at least well.
As for OP given his requirements if his target is less than 100 yards a 300 Blackout AR seems like a good choice, especially if he reloads and if he has any tinkering ability.
Personally I’d probably just use a PSA lower and upper and keep a set of ear buds in my pocket if I were him.
Mosin Bubba
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If you like your CZ, but don't want to beat it around, just get a Ruger American Ranch in x39.
Fanboi's
Amazing just how perfect the ar is to some people. good grief their fan club is the worst thing about that average rifle.
someguy2800
Member
That’s enough fpgt72, I have to go figure out the ignore function.
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BSA1
member
I also live in the country with livestock so 'yotes are also a concern. When we see them they are almost always running. I had three 'yotes run across the road in front of me once. When they were about 100 yards away from me one stopped and took a dump while looking back over his shoulder at me. Of course I could not reach my rifle that was behind the seat.
I have several long guns that are effective on 'yotes. My favorite is a Uberti 1873 carbine in 32-20. I love this gun and cartridge but it fails on several of the O.P.'s criteria. It's beautiful blue finish is not rust resistant and the gun is expensive. I have not look at prices in a long time but if you can find one it will probably be $1,000+.
Having read all of the comments I keep coming back to the AR-15 in 300 Blackout. The M-16/M-4/AR-15 is designed for exactly what the O.P. wants. It is rugged, can be left outside on the back porch or in the gun rack of the truck or ATV, low maintenance and accurate. For 'yotes I want to be able to fire multiple shots quickly. Running 'yotes are fast and I can walk my shots into it. (I can't count on one stopping 100 yards away and taking a dump).
As Hokie says it is easy to put together an AR using parts from PSA that is inexpensive enough that you will not cry over it getting dinged up.
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