Quote:
Originally Posted by morningstar
Hello All,
We need a new gun. Mostly because of the previous thread about our cougar problems but we've been meaning to get a new gun for months.
What size/type of gun can we get at the local sporting goods store (thinking around $300) that could take down something like a cougar? We just need a basic, for protection, kind of gun. I should have paid more attention to the gun articles in Backwoods Home!
Thank you VERY much for any help! We are going to go tomorrow.
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This boils down to three things:
1) Fit - how well the gun fits all who will use it
2) Recoil - the lowest recoil possible, given the mission of the weapon
3) Budget - $300
For $300, we are probably restricted to the iron sights on the gun. For recoil, we are probably restricted to the .308 class. For fit, length of pull is going to be important...I can shoot a shorter lop ok, but a long lop causes some fundamental shouldering problems.
I know what I'd look for...a used iron-sighted Savage 110 with a wood stock, something that could be shortened just a bit. Caliber would be .308 or 270, preferably the .308.
Alternatively, if everybody can handle the recoil, a new Remington 870 Express, 12 gauge. Put a rifled choke tube in it, and you're good to a hundred yards(or more) with the right slugs if you can handle the drop, 70-ish if you can't.
My .02 cents.
