Homestead Firearms

Hello from Murtoff Meadows Homestead. I've been sitting here drinking coffee and contemplating what subject to write a new blog about. I looked across the room and saw several of my go to firearms sitting in the gun rack. That got the wheels turning. What, in my opinion, is the most versatile firearms for a Homestead. You want something that you can use for putting meat on the table, controlling pests, and protecting our valuable livestock from predator's. Whether it be the four legged or two legged predator's. Here is a list of our go to firearms.

1. .22 No homestead is complete without a .22, whether it be a rifle or handgun. This is the most used firearm we have on the homestead. We have a .22 and .22 magnum, both in bolt action rifles. It can be used for hunting small game, like rabbits and squirrels, and for pests, such as rats and mice. Another big pest on our homestead is the groundhog. They are constantly digging holes in the fields. A few years ago, after we moved onto our homestead, I shot 53 groundhogs off of one field. When it comes to predators, I wouldn't be afraid to shoot anything up to fox with it. If you need a low noise pest control round, try the .22 short or cb cap. They are very quiet. Some rounds are the same decibel as the high-powered pellet rifles. You can also load it with shot shells for the rats and mice. The only problem with shot is that it will wear the rifling down in the barrel. Another use is for dispatching Homesteasd animals, whether it be sick or for harvesting for the table. We have always used a .22 rifle for this job. If you need a little more punch, just step up to the .22 magnum.

2. Shotgun The versatility of the shotgun is unmatched by any other firearm. It can be loaded with shot for small game and birds, buckshot for predators or home defense, and finally slugs for big game. Although I own a shotgun in every gauge. I constantly reach for my old Stevens 16 ga pump. I have taken more small game and game birds with this shotgun than all my others put together. This shotgun just fits me the best. The only downfall is it has a fixed full choke. It is sitting on the rack loaded with high brass #4's waiting on the next racoon or opossum to try and break in the chicken coop. The next shotgun we have is an old bolt action 20 ga. with an adjustable choke. It's sitting with High Brass #5's loaded in magazine. With the choke turned to the tightest, its putting a pattern in a pie pan at 35 yards. Anything under a 20 ga. I would not recommend for a homestead defense shotgun. I'm sure many game animals have been taken with both the .28 and .410. But for predators I personally would not recommend them. The shotgun comes in many different configurations. There is the pump, semi-automatic, single shot, side by side, over/under, bolt action, and lever action.

1. .22 No homestead is complete without a .22, whether it be a rifle or handgun. This is the most used firearm we have on the homestead. We have a .22 and .22 magnum, both in bolt action rifles. It can be used for hunting small game, like rabbits and squirrels, and for pests, such as rats and mice. Another big pest on our homestead is the groundhog. They are constantly digging holes in the fields. A few years ago, after we moved onto our homestead, I shot 53 groundhogs off of one field. When it comes to predators, I wouldn't be afraid to shoot anything up to fox with it. If you need a low noise pest control round, try the .22 short or cb cap. They are very quiet. Some rounds are the same decibel as the high-powered pellet rifles. You can also load it with shot shells for the rats and mice. The only problem with shot is that it will wear the rifling down in the barrel. Another use is for dispatching Homesteasd animals, whether it be sick or for harvesting for the table. We have always used a ,22 rifle for this job. If you need a little more punch, just step up to the .22 magnum.

4. Handgun I'm hardly ever out without a pistol on my belt. Whether it be open carry on the Homestead or concealed when we run to town. It is my first line of defense for my myself, my family, and our animals. Depending on what day it is and what I'm doing. I could be carrying one of my revolvers in .357 magnum or .45 long colt, or my semi in .45acp. If its hunting season here in Pa I, usually carry my Ruger .45. While I like the .357 it's not as accurate as the .45. I know the .45 is overkill for a lot of the predators we have around here. But I'd rather stop them in one or two rounds.

The biggest thing with a handgun is finding one that fits your hand. While my wife can and has shot my handguns, very accurately I might add, they are just a little to big for her to handle comfortably. I would suggest when purchasing a new handgun, you go to a reputable gun shop and handle as many as you can to find the one that fits your hand the best.

The main thing to remember when looking for a firearm is to do your research. I would not purchase the same size caliber rifle or handgun for my wife and daughter that I would purchase for myself. As I mentioned above, go to the gun stores and handle as many different firearms as you can to find the one that fits you comfortably. Some gun shops even have their own shooting range. Where you can try out each firearm you might like before making a purchase. There are many more calibers out there that I have not mentioned. What works for us here in Pa might not work for someone in interior Alaska or Canada.

As always stay safe while out and about your Homestead.