.22 LR Caliber?

Gondor · 03-13-2013, 01:17 PM

What calibers do you use in hunting small game? I know that most people love to use .22 Long Rifle Caliber. what type of small game do you like to hunt?

Grandpa · 03-13-2013, 01:39 PM

When I was a teenager, the jackrabbits were a real problem on the western ranges. It was not uncommon for us to go hunting and shoot a full brick of .22's in one day, each. Different management methods now keep the rabbits in check so little rabbit hunting is done anymore. Coyotes still run rampant around here so those that do hunt them have stepped it up a bit using centerfire cartridges instead of the .22. Other than that, there just isn't much small game hunting around here anymore. So the mighty .22 has been relegated to target practice.

Pathfinder1 · 03-13-2013, 01:54 PM

Hi...

.22 rifles are perfect for small game like rabbits and squirrels, and varments like woodchucks...even fox at closer ranges. For squirrels you can even use .22 shorts and longs. Most of your squirrel shooting will be skyward, so just use common sense regarding nearby residences, etc.

When hunting partridges, pheasants and rabbits, my preference is a .410/.22 over/under. I would NEVER consider shooting a squirrel with a shotgun, though.

I know that many hunters will use 20 to 12 gauge shotguns for rabbits and pheasants. But unless they're being flushed at longer ranges, I see no need for such large-bore shotguns.

wvbreamfisherman · 03-13-2013, 06:29 PM

I use either a shotgun or a .22 for squirrels. The shotgun is useful when the squirrel are mostly in the trees, and a miss with a .22 could go a long way.

A .22 is fun for squirrels or rabbits, or even starlings and pigeons. Not so many woodchucks around here that I'd go looking for them.

I've even picked off a couple crows with a .22 under unusual conditions.

Newanderthal · 03-25-2013, 04:05 PM

I always enjoyed using a Benjamin .22 caliber pellet gun for small game like rabbits, squirrels, birds, etc. The added challenge made it more fun.

Gondor · 03-26-2013, 05:26 AM

I love everything around .22 LR. The way it recoils, sounds, penetrates, travels and hits. I want to buy .22 pistol and try some target practicing in the future. Ruger sounds like a good option.