Backroads- a Ruger 1022 is the way to go (IMO) if you want a 22 cal semi. I shoot Rem subsonic rounds out of mine- the gun drives tacks with them and they are quieter. I play Lee Harvey Oswald out the bathroom window on groundhogs that won’t go in the Havahart with it.
When I was a teenage vandal, I bought heavy rubber bands at the stationary store, and used them to shoot BB’s like a slingshot.....could hit a streetlight from 30 yards, easy. Human powered, no powder needed. If the cavemen would have had these things, the Neanderthal would still be ruling the world.
I have two 870’s - a 2 3/4” chambered left hand wingmaster (20 ga) from the late 70’s/early 80’s, and a 870 express magnum 12-ga. I like them both. The wingmaster was my fist gun I bought witn I was 13.
I also have to H&R;single shots - a 12-ga and 20-ga. I have no problem with the single shots either. I paid $25 for the 20 ga and have killed many cowbirds and two raccoons with it. For garden duty, the single shots are perfectly fine. This isn’t an Olympic competition! the pattern might not be perfect, but it is a perfectly usable shotgun.
The 870s are very reliable, if you need more firepower. Don’t know much about Mossberg 500, but a friend of mine had one growing up, and it worked just fine.
870 has my vote but in all honesty i think either will serve you well. I would keep it 20gauge or smaller though and 20 probably being too much but then you might by 20gauge shells cheaper than any thing else also.
Now we are talking I have Both . They shoot the same and I never clean them work guns , they work . My Glock 23 carry gun , Yea I know . NJ WE CANT DO THAT .
Clean as a whistel . One for a purpose . One for a reason
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Gotta chime in on this one. I own several shotguns Browning, Remington, even a Smith & Wesson but the one I keep close at hand for dispatching skunks and the occasional copperhead around the farmstead is a no name bolt action 410. Gets the job done and is simple enough to teach the wife how to use.
Best thing I’ve found to keep varmints out of the garden (coons are the worst in my case) is a small electric fencer (@$25.00 at Tractor Supply). Run one strand of wire 4"-6" off the ground and a second strand 6"- 8” above the first. Works like a charm.
By the way, the 22 cal./shotgun combo is a Savage.
Both are excellent shotguns, of the 2 I prefer Remington mostly cause I have more exposure to them...btw way I own 2 Ithaca’s. Another way to rid your garden from critters is to pick up so human hair from your barber and spread it around the garden...once you spread it that hair is always on station doing its duty...even when you sleep.
Best thing I’ve found to keep varmints out of the garden (coons are the worst in my case) is a small electric fencer (@$25.00 at Tractor Supply). Run one strand of wire 4"-6" off the ground and a second strand 6"- 8” above the first. Works like a charm.
Including deer? Shooting is not an option for garden pests where I live. I’ll probably be starting a vegetable garden next spring. I was thinking I’d be needing 5-sided netting all round to keep Bambi out. 3-level electric fence maybe? Or does Bambi outsmart me by simply jumping an electric fence? BTW we have all the garden pests here. Many raccoons, woodchucks, possums, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, mice etc. to be found. You name it, we got it. But we’re absolutely overrun with deer.
Oh, the Remington 870 express 12 gage was highly recommended to my by a hunter friend as the best all round choice- for some types of hunting, skeet and trap, even home defense for those not trained in sidearms. BTW I found out that skeet are not good eating.
Go with the 870. I have a 500, but carry an 870 in the cruiser and wish I had gotten a Remington for home instead of the Mossberg. I know ya didn’t mention this, but if you wanna trick it out, get add ons, change barrels, extend the magazine tube, etc, etc, it will be easier with the 870. IMHO
Best thing I’ve found to keep varmints out of the garden (coons are the worst in my case) is a small electric fencer (@$25.00 at Tractor Supply). Run one strand of wire 4"-6" off the ground and a second strand 6"- 8” above the first. Works like a charm.
Including deer? Shooting is not an option for garden pests where I live. I’ll probably be starting a vegetable garden next spring. I was thinking I’d be needing 5-sided netting all round to keep Bambi out. 3-level electric fence maybe? Or does Bambi outsmart me by simply jumping an electric fence? BTW we have all the garden pests here. Many raccoons, woodchucks, possums, rabbits, chipmunks, squirrels, mice etc. to be found. You name it, we got it. But we’re absolutely overrun with deer.
Oh, the Remington 870 express 12 gage was highly recommended to my by a hunter friend as the best all round choice- for some types of hunting, skeet and trap, even home defense for those not trained in sidearms. BTW I found out that skeet are not good eating.
For deer, I use an 8 ft. net fence. Got it from Lowes and it’s @ $15.00 for a 100 ft. roll. I mount it on PVC pipe slipped over a fence post. This is my second year using it and it works. Deer have nibbled at plants around the edge but that’s as far as they go. Lowes even labels it as “Deer Fence”.
My wife has the Mossberg 590 in a version called the “speed feed 9” for an anti varmit and home protection device. For what ever reason she thought the old S& W relvolver with .38 158 grain wad cutters was too much for her. I was rather shocked when she came back with an all black, plastic stocked 12 guage with heat shield and bayonet lug.
With No. 4 shot it is a good varmit gun. With a full tube of 8 shells the recoil is not bad even with hi brass ammo. I like the Rem 870 better in the look and feel department but but I have no problems using the 590 in a hi stakes situation.
Somebody dumped 3 large dogs that appeared to have pit bull features near the house last summer. One of our kids passed a shed where these dogs decided to make camp that night. One of the dogs made an aggressive growl that sent the kid climbing onto something tall. When I arrived with the 590 to see what the yelling was about, one of the dogs was making a move towards me. I shot it twice and was alerted to the other two. At that point I was thinking there could be 6 or 7 more. Any way long story short, it took longer to make sure the area was safe than it did to make it safe.
Anyway, that is how I conclude that I have a lot of faith in the 590.
