Getting a .44 Mag!

**Demjor19** · 06-07-2012, 05:33 PM

Originally Posted by Rue

Even I'm thinking of a new rifle...I need one that will do to euthanize a horse if necessary.

Then I don't have to call out the neighbour in an emergency...or make an injured animal wait who knows how long for a vet to come out...

Suggestions as to caliber anyone? I've asked 3 different people, and got 3 different answers...

A .44 Mag at close range would be way more than enough. I'm assuming it would be a head-shot.

Pretty much any high-powered rifle would work as well. At some point you aren't making the animal more dead...You are just making as bigger mess.

**Strider199** · 06-08-2012, 12:34 AM

In Canada hand guns come with alot of restrictions. I would love to have a side arm when hunting for moose, deer, bear or wolf but the legal stuff in owning a hand gun aren't worth it. You can not hunt with a hand gun in Canada period.

Rue a .270 calibre or 7mm rifle would be ideal for you. Remington or Savage have some that aren't too expensive and are reliable. That is a large enough calibre to finish off a moose with a neck shoot.

**Cliff** · 06-08-2012, 12:37 AM

Originally Posted by Rue

Even I'm thinking of a new rifle...I need one that will do to euthanize a horse if necessary.

Then I don't have to call out the neighbour in an emergency...or make an injured animal wait who knows how long for a vet to come out...

Suggestions as to caliber anyone? I've asked 3 different people, and got 3 different answers...

You could also consider a old converted Lee-Endfield 303

If your only purpose is to euthanize large animals, any larger caliber with a 150 gr (or larger) bullet will do. The old 303s are the cheapest option. Saskatoon Gun Works usually has a few in stock.

That had worked well for my Grandfather over the years

**Strider199** · 06-08-2012, 12:47 AM

Lee-Endfield 303, now thats a rifle that will take down almost anything. Hold it tight to the shoulder and cheek Rue.

**FinalJenemba** · 06-08-2012, 02:06 AM

Originally Posted by Demjor19

At some point you aren't making the animal more dead...You are just making as bigger mess.

And I finally have a quote to put in my sig

**Demjor19** · 06-08-2012, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by FinalJenemba

And I finally have a quote to put in my sig

LOL! And my typo will be preserved forever!

**Rue** · 06-08-2012, 02:22 PM

Thanks Gentlemen...I will go shopping...and get all my paperwork updated/in place...

This summer would be a good time to reorganize myself...

**smaug** · 06-08-2012, 04:28 PM

Holy crap Rue! How many horses do need to put down to justify buying a rifle?

**Rue** · 06-08-2012, 05:04 PM

Well...we have 9 left...of which 4 are getting old...and 1 is permanently injured...and 1 has something intermittendly 'wrong' with him - it's unclear as to what.

We have euthanized 4 to date, due to old age/injury.

Two have been euthanized by bullet (one by the vet, the other the neighbour did this past winter). Two others were euthanized by injection by the vet.

The problem is doing it humanely and being pragmatic at the same time - which is hard to do when it's your pet.

If I euthanize a horse by injection...it has to be buried...which requires a backhoe and prior planning (and added expense since we're being pragmatic). Or I have to book an appointment to meet up with the vet and the meat truck all at the same time...the logistics are impossible in an emergency situation.

If I euthanize by bullet...then nature can look after things...which is preferable from my POV. Nature is surprisingly effective...

Of the two options...frankly, I think the bullet is the more humane option (faster, less fuss).

...and I intend to look after my animals as best I can. I would rather not be like my neighbours - who will haul a long-term pet horse to the meat auction at the last minute so they can still make some money off the animal...

**Rue** · 06-08-2012, 05:10 PM

...oh yeah...for the record...while I can't euthanize my own pets...(someone else has to do pull the trigger for me)...

...I am (was) an excellent shot. Now, with my arthritis issues...not so good anymore...but still not bad...

One of my useless talents...lol.

I'm better with a rifle than a pistol though...I admit to that...although I didn't have near the practice time with the pistol...

And I really only have ever been interested in target shooting, or clay pigeons...but I prefer a rifle to a shotgun...