Small game hunting?

Question

I want to go small game hunting. I have a nice pellet gun that has taken many birds and one ground hog. Although i find that i injure too many animals with it and cant take them in one shot. I want someting better than a 22. but not like a 12 gauge( i already have one). What kind of brand and what kind of gun should i get?

Answer 1

The choice of gun depends on what you want to hunt. For upland birds look at a 20 gauge shotgun. H&R make some good, affordable models. For rabbit, squirrel, fox, raccoon, prairie dogs, coyote & groundhog (out to around 75 yards) and target shooting/plinking take a long hard look at the .22 LR. Stock guns (like the Savage 64 or Mark II, Marlin model 60, and Ruger 10/22) are inexpensive and shoot well and the ammo is a bargain compared with .17 mach 2, .17 HRM, .22 WMR, or any .22 centerfire round. For larger varmints (coyote, ground hogs, etc...) at longer ranges (more than 75-100 yards), look at a bolt action .22 centerfire like a Savage 110 in .223 or .22-250. You could get a dual use gun if out of the centerfire if you went with a .243 instead of a .223 or .22-250 incase you ever decide to hunt larger game.

Answer 2

I do a lot of small game hunting, I've used a 20 gauge (Stevens), a .410 (NE Firearms) and because of the shot spray, unless you can get them in the head, you have alot of shot to remove from your animal, plus you risk losing a good portion of your meat sometimes. Plus the cost of the shells is high and especially bad for the .410's anymore.

My favorite small game rifle is the Ruger 10/22 (LR) carbine. I like the carbine because it makes it so easy to get in and out of brush without hanging your rifle on every single twig between were you are and where you want to go, LOL!

  But on the serious side, you could not get me to part with mine for any price, it's sure brought home alot of squirrels and rabbits for me.

Answer 3

remmtion or wincher makes nice 22s

Answer 4

Your two (2*) best choices for your purpose are the 22 Magnum or 222 caliber rifle by Remington, Winchester, or Mossberg Brand.* Buy new or used.* A new rifle doesn't shoot any better than a good used one.* Buy used and save $$$.*

Answer 5

22 mag would be good.

Answer 6

Ruger 10/22.

Answer 7

If you just want another gun, I would suggest getting a 20 gauge.  They are light in weight and recoil.  They will also get the job done.  However, I must defend your 12 gauge.  I use mine for all kinds of small game.  The trick is that I use a small shot, such as a 7 1/2 or an 8.  It's merciful and does not create overkill.  Good luck!

Answer 8

Depends on the size of game you are hunting. For close distance rodent style hunting a .410, little further distance, and I would use a 20g. As far as coyotes and groundhogs, nothing beats the reliable .223. Easy and cheap to get ammo, and the velocity and tumble effect of the bullet is great out to a few hundred yards. You can get more powerful airguns out to 1200 fps that would be good out to 100 yards, but further than that, time to go with gun powder. I would definetly suggest the Remington SPS varmint in .223 because you can get the gun for around $500 new, and comes with the reliable 700 action, synthetic stock, and the 26" heavy barrel. Top it off with an inexpensive scope like the tasco varmint, and you're set for about $600.

Answer 9

http://www.gamousa.com/Catalog.aspx?Prod...

Answer 10

So get a 20-gauge if the twelve-bore is too much gun.

Answer 11

12 gauge really is fine for small game if you use the light loads in like 7 or 8 shot. But if you would prefer a smaller gauge, 20 gauge would work fine. I would also look at a cheap little .410 single shot. I own one and they might not put out the greatest or densest patterns but you cant beat the price, and they are so easy and light to carry around. Ammo is a little more expensive than 12 gauge but still a great small game killer none the less.

Answer 12

A Ruger 10/22 .22lr rifle will do the trick.

Answer 13

Depends on where you live and what you plan on hunting, Like mainly groundhogs and prairedogs, or rabbits, crows, squirels and small birds in an open field or forest i would either get a 20 gauge, 12 gauge, 17. Hmr or a 22. lr.

If it is mostly groundhogs in a feild then maybe even get something like a 204. ruger, 223, or a 22-250