Got Predators? These Are the Best Guns for Defending Your Flock

If you’re raising chickens, ducks, goats, or anything else with a heartbeat, you already know predators show up fast — and usually at the worst times. Raccoons, coyotes, foxes, stray dogs, even bobcats — they’re all a real threat. Having the right gun ready can make the difference between protecting your animals or losing them. Here are ten solid choices to keep your flock safe and your peace of mind intact.

Mossberg 500 12-Gauge

If you want one gun that can handle just about anything, the Mossberg 500 is it. It’s rugged, reliable, and easy to run under stress. Loaded with buckshot or slugs, it’ll stop coyotes, stray dogs, or even bigger threats without blinking.

It’s also nice because you can easily swap loads — birdshot for close-range pests, buckshot for bigger critters. Plus, the sound of racking it alone might just scare something off.

Remington 870 Express 20-Gauge

The Remington 870 in 20-gauge is a little easier on the shoulder but still hits hard enough for most predators. It’s a great option if you want something lighter, especially for younger shooters or folks who don’t love heavy recoil.

Loaded with heavier buckshot, it can handle foxes, raccoons, and even a good-sized coyote with no problem. It’s simple, affordable, and tough enough for farm life.

Ruger 10/22 .22 LR

The Ruger 10/22 has been a farm favorite forever, and for good reason. It’s cheap to shoot, crazy reliable, and perfect for smaller pests like raccoons, skunks, and possums.

Plus, with a good scope and steady aim, you can place your shots exactly where they need to go without worrying about tearing up your barn, coop, or fencing.

Henry Lever Action .22 Magnum

If you want a little more punch than a regular .22 LR but still a lightweight, easy-handling rifle, the Henry .22 Magnum lever gun is a sweet pick. It’s perfect for foxes, bigger raccoons, and even a cautious coyote at closer ranges.

It’s smooth, accurate, and feels right at home around a farm. Plus, it just looks good hanging by the back door.

Savage 93R17 .17 HMR

The Savage 93R17 is a predator’s nightmare in a lightweight package. Chambered in .17 HMR, it sends small, fast bullets screaming downrange — perfect for precision shots on sneaky threats.

This rifle is a great option for folks who want to keep pests away from the flock without risking a lot of noise, recoil, or property damage.

PSA PA-15 .223 Remington

If you want an AR that gets the job done without spending a fortune, the PSA PA-15 is a great choice. Chambered in .223 Remington, it’s perfect for coyotes, feral dogs, and any other fast-moving threat around the farm.

It’s reliable, accurate, and you can easily accessorize it if you want. When predators don’t wait for perfect conditions, a dependable AR like this can be a real life-saver.

Marlin 1894C 357 Magnum

The Marlin 1894C chambered in .357 Magnum is a serious tool for close-to-medium range defense. It’s quick-handling, hits hard, and is perfect for dealing with bigger threats like coyotes or wild dogs.

It’s also just a lot of fun to shoot. With .38 Special loads, it’s easy on the shoulder for practice; load it with hot .357 rounds for serious work when it matters.

Henry Lever Action .410 Shotgun

The Henry .410 lever-action shotgun is a smooth operator for small to medium-sized pests. It doesn’t kick much, making it great for fast, accurate shots when something’s raiding the henhouse.

It’s quieter and easier to manage than a big 12-gauge but still gets the job done with the right loads. Perfect for backyard farms and smaller acreages.

CVA Cascade .243 Winchester

The CVA Cascade is a budget-friendly bolt-action rifle that punches way above its price tag. In .243 Winchester, it’s a predator hammer. Great for open fields where coyotes or bobcats are getting too brave for their own good.

It’s accurate, smooth to run, and light enough to carry all day if you’re covering bigger ground on your property.

Glock 19 9mm

Sometimes you don’t have time to grab a long gun. Having a Glock 19 on your hip is a good backup plan for sudden threats. It’s compact, reliable, and carries enough firepower to deal with a smaller predator up close.

You’re obviously not reaching out 100 yards with a pistol, but in a close-up, fast-moving situation, it’s way better than nothing — and fast beats perfect when something’s dragging off your livestock.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.