Replies

Seriously, 30 yards is about maxed out on buckshot. You'd have to check patterns, different brands, etc.Slugs are nice, but hard recoil-slow 2nd shot
mini-14's are expensive new, nowadays, and vary on accuracy from gun to gun. SKS's now are expensive, as is the ammo.(except for the grenade launcher sks, and I'd personally skip them... Plus, FMJ doesn't kill that well.)
Headshots are great-in a perfect world.Critters don't always cooperate.
The 17 Hornady is awesome. However, a cheap used Marlin bolt in 22 mag is great, too. Amazing the difference between the knock down of a 22LR vs. 22 mag. 30-30 is good ,too. Hit the local gunshops and see what they got that fits your budget. Even a lever action in 357 or 44 mag or even 45 long colt would be plenty. Even a used marlin camp45 carbine (semi rifle in 45 acp) would wallop them.
I personally have found most lasers to be crap. They move under recoil. Rifle scopes-forget them at night, hard to pickup your target fast. A simple red dot style scope is good, then you only need some ambient light (battery powered spot light,hand held) or whatever.