.22 handgun for hunting???

H

Hawken1911

New member
Hello,

I'm interested in picking up an inexpensive .22 to take with me along with my shotgun for small game hunting. I like the Rugers but I really don't need anything fancy or expensive, and was hoping to find something even cheaper than a Ruger. I need a decent, but inexpensive .22, revolver or a semi-auto, that is pretty accurate and has at least a 4" barrel. Instead of just randomly starting to research the various manufacturer sites, or browsing a gun show, I'd though I'd ask for some input here first. Any suggestions for inexpensive .22's that might fit my needs? Thanks.
 
There's cheep then there's good

Get the Ruger, if you can’t afford new then find a beat up used one. The one thing about Mark I, II and III is that if you buy one new you can give it to your grandchildren 50 years latter after 10.000 rounds. Good ammo and clean the Mark’s will always go BANG.
If not that then I think that Hipoint makes a 22 but I would rather set fire to money than buy a hipoint. And I have sold many.
I guess the one thing you need to ask is how good and how much?
There are lots of used 22's in stores around here thats under $200.
 
I tend to agree with Ozzie. Ruger usually occupies the spot in the market where reliability and inexpensive meet. There are many options if you want to spend more, but I think the sacrifice in consistency is too great to go any cheaper.

A 22lr handgun is probably the most useful tool a hunter can carry. For that reason I feel one is justified in spending a little extra. I like the S&W and Colt revolvers as a small game/pest/coup de grace sidearm.
 
Just throwing it out, how about a Contender. You can change from a .22 barrel to something larger for other game. It is accurate.

I'd second or third or what ever the count is now the Mark II from Ruger. We have some 22/45s that are used for summer camp and they are one of the few firearms that take the punishment we dish out. They need to be cleaned after a time, but just keep shooting.
 
If your gonna go rimfire hunting with a pistol, why not have a pistol with a punch?

You can find decent used revolvers at most Pawn shops, in 22LR.
Probably between $100 and $200 used.

I use my Taurus Tracker in 17HMR.
I get groups of 9 inches at 100 yard bench, open sights.
Mine is stainless but the Blued is cheaper.
17B6.jpg

MSRP $390.00 ... but thats more than what I payed for the stainless I have.

With 17gr ballistic tips, it blows apples into sauce from 60 yards.
Walmart has ballistic tips, hollow points, and FMJ's.
Most expensive 50 round box is Hornady Ballistics at $14.00.
Cheapest is CCI's Hollow points at $8.50.

It cost more to fire than a 22LR, but I have more fun with it than my 22LR, Browning Gold Medalist.
Louder boom, bigger reaction at the "dead end", longer range.
Just fun.
http://www.taurususa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=CF2

My 2 cents.
 
If your gonna go rimfire hunting with a pistol, why not have a pistol with a punch?
Click to expand...

One GREAT reason not to get something with "a punch" is that the original poster is asking for recommendations on a hunting .22 handgun. There are still folks left in the world that hunt for tablefare and "more punch" usually means "less meat."

I'll second the suggestions for any Ruger .22 as being an excellent choice for a knockaround, accurate hunter.
 
I used to have a Colt Diamondback 6" in 22LR. Best darn rabbit gun ever.

But that one aside, a Ruger of just about any type is a good choice.
 
Thanks for the responses guys. I appreciate the feedback. I'm leaning towards a Ruger MKIII or a Taurus Model 94 revolver with a 5" barrel. Now I'll have to check them out in person and see what kind of deals I can get.
 
Hey QD.
I didn't intend on offending anyone.

A 17 FMJ does the same damage as a 22LR lead.
But, since the 17HMR has so many more options, as far as projectiles, it can serve more functions than just hunting.
For the same money, new, its more versatile.
Just ammo costs more.

I was just doing what forums are for.
Offering my oppinion.
 
No one's offended here, Yithian! At least I'm not.
Just trying to help the threads and opinions stay on course. No harm done.

I don't have much experience with .17's so I'll take your word for it, but with all the varieties of .22 available I've never felt the need for a .17. It just seems a tad overkill for squirrels IMO (which is what comes to mind for me when hunting with a .22 is mentioned,) but the thread's author didn't specify exactly what he'd be hunting.
 
22 for hunting

I use a S&W 22A fairly inexpensive acurate enough to knock the head off a ptarmagin an mine has at least 100 rds a week for the last 10 yrs.
 
my choice

Colt Trooper Mark III in .22 magnum with a 6" BBl

Heavy and expensive but nice.

A good used gun is better by far than any cheap gun
 
The best of the inexpensive 22 handguns are made by H&R, High Standard, Charter Arms, and Rossi. You should be able to keep the cost down below $250. On most of these, you are dealing with used guns, so check them out first. The most expensive of the cheap 22 handguns are made by Ruger and Taurus. Some like the Heritage Rough Rider single action models.

The High Standard semi-auto's are considered very good by most. The Sport King was their cheapest model.

Stay away from RG's no matter what the price is. Junk.

If it were up to me, if you want an inexpensive 22 handgun, I'd look at Ruger first as they are pretty well made and a pretty good value for the dollar these days. The Single Six would be the first single action I'd look at of the currently manufactured models. Ruger made the SP101 in 22 and they are still around. Many like them a lot.
 
Seriously, this is the best deal you're going to find in quality versus economy. The prices listed here are the MSRP and they're still quite low, $305-$307 for the blued. It's a Ruger, anyone who has ever touched one will attest to their quality. I've seen these NIB at gun shows for under $250 (unfortunately I had already spent my limit), that's very inexpensive and, as others have stated, you'll pass this gun down to your grandchildren one day. Good luck.

http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/FAProdResults?function=famid&famid=54&variation=Bull%20Barrel&bct=Yes&type=Pistol
 
Personally I like something in centerfire for pot hunting. I got a Taurus Raging Hornet in .22 Hornet used at a gunshow for $185 a year or so back. At the time they also had a .218 Bee in a 7 shot Tracker for $225 that I was considering as well. Centerfire, reloadable, and the .22 hornet and the .218 Bee both have fairly good performance and the ability to load up to a round capable of taking larger game. I've got a second cylinder off at a gunsmith getting reamed to .22 K-Hornet specs. Loaded with solids or a good FMJ bullet it is no more damaging to squirrel sized game than a .22 LR is. It also lets me carry a half cylinder of hotly loaded V-Max rounds for a shot at the occasional Coyote or Bobcat.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top