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Best Small Game Gun
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Topic: Best Small Game Gun (Read 12657 times)
RavensdaleYoungBuck
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Best Small Game Gun
«
on:
January 13, 2014, 09:38:31 PM »
Hey fellas, just wondering what the best gun is for small game hunting. I've heard possibly the 22, but not sure. List your preferences.
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Hotolds442
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Pilgrim
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
«
Reply #1 on:
January 14, 2014, 12:06:55 AM »
It's tough to beat the 10/22
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BiggLuke
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Longhunter
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 520
Location: Bremerton/Kitsap
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
«
Reply #2 on:
January 14, 2014, 12:34:30 AM »
As a man who personally loves the 10/22, but has shot grouse and seen them fly away into the dense brush with a bullet in them....
I only use my 20 gauge coach gun.
So basically what I'm saying is.... small game that you can take with a .22lr, you can take more reliably with a shotgun. You know the saying "A bird in the hand, is worth 2 in the bush."
And don't be affraid of blowing them in half with it.
I've taught lot's of new guys how to shoot grouse and rabbits with a 12 gauge, and they literally all took my advice and shot their heads off, and didn't waste an ounce of meat.
Basically... with a shotgun, you have a much wider range of targets. i.e flying, running, standing...
With a .22lr..... you have to get super lucky to find one standing perfectly still.
Or... best small game gun ever?? Stevens Model 24.
It's an over/under rifle-shotgun. You can still get them today in a .22lr/20 ga.
Check 'em out.
http://www.gunblast.com/Savage-42.htm
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Stan Marsh: "My Uncle Jimbo says we gotta get up there early. Right Uncle Jimbo?"
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pilebuck
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Scout
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
«
Reply #3 on:
January 14, 2014, 01:34:24 AM »
MY 10 22 is a deadly weapon I have never missed a grouse with it of course it wasn't flying but it sure beats buckshot and breaking a tooth ouch
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carpsniperg2
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
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Reply #4 on:
January 14, 2014, 01:55:27 AM »
Good old 22 lr 10/22 is a great choice. I still favor a 22 magnum for small game hunting.
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rasbo
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
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Reply #5 on:
January 14, 2014, 03:30:58 AM »
love the 22mag,head shooting grouse and wascully wabbits,and great on yotes and Roberts
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RavensdaleYoungBuck
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
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Reply #6 on:
January 14, 2014, 10:02:31 AM »
Can a .22 take down a coyote?
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WSU
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Old Salt
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
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Reply #7 on:
January 14, 2014, 10:05:02 AM »
Yes but not all that good of a choice if that is your intended use.
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fastdam
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Longhunter
Join Date: Jul 2012
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
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Reply #8 on:
January 14, 2014, 10:20:37 AM »
A 22 hornet is a perfect small game gun. Especially if you handload.
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AWS
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Sourdough
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
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Reply #9 on:
January 14, 2014, 02:24:44 PM »
If you can get along without a scope a Savage 24 22mag over 20ga makes a pretty good combo. 22 mag solids for grouse and hollow points for coyotes. 20ga buckshot for coyotes and a variety of birdshot for everything from rabbits and grouse to turkeys.
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Sourdough
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
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Reply #10 on:
January 14, 2014, 02:28:33 PM »
I still favor my .223 bolt action Ruger M77.
I little much on very small game, but rabbits, grouse and yotes are dead meat.
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Longhunter
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
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Reply #11 on:
January 14, 2014, 02:33:24 PM »
30.06 with lighter load ammo
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buckfvr
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
«
Reply #12 on:
January 14, 2014, 02:42:27 PM »
Ive got a ss marlin with a 20" bull barrel in .22 mag topped with a 3-9X40.......all in a composite stock. Cant even begin to immagine not having that gun. Ground squirrels and such fear that gun.
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RavensdaleYoungBuck
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
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Reply #13 on:
January 14, 2014, 05:53:35 PM »
Alright thanks for everyone's input!!! I think I'll look at a .223.
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KFhunter
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Re: Best Small Game Gun
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Reply #14 on:
January 14, 2014, 05:57:01 PM »
no one said .17HMR?
I've blasted the heck out of small game with it, dang thing shoots like a laser beam
Shoot a coyotes eyeball at 300 yards
but seriously I can't imagine a better small game rim fire unless the newer .17WSM lives up to the hype.
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