Best overall small game firearm

I'd avoid a lightweight 12 gauge due to painful recoil and excessive meat damage.
Click to expand...

Try some blackpowder shells. Modest recoil and great patterns, deadly on game. Break open shotgun barrels are a cinch to clean. Newer ones (steel shot compatable) are chrome plated, offering more corrosion resistance. I also made an insert for my NEF 12 gauge to convert it to muzzle loading. That was fun but I enjoy the BP shells more.

I feel 12 gauge meat damage is over exagerated. Take a head shot or let'em get a little further away, same applies to any shot gun.

Agreed, plus if you wanted to bring a few slugs along "just in case" the 20 gauge rifled slugs would do the trick on a black bear.
Click to expand...

Or if you come across Mr. piggie.:D

My daughters 20 gauge NEF is a tack driver with Remington rifled slugs. Also a very nice shooter with shotshells.
 
I almost always use a NEF 12 gauge on small game. It has a fixed full choke and I use low brass 5's and 6's. Patterns great and low recoil.
 
My philosophy on handguns has always been that you 'live with the gun' if you want to master it. To that end, I have almost always been able to develop a small game/pest load for them, including the .45 ACP.

STRDnME.jpg
 
To those of you who hunt small game with a handgun, how far out do you shoot? It sounds like the rifle guys routinely shoot 50-100yds. All of my handgun shooting this far has been solely focused on defensive handgunnery, so I'd need a heck of a lot of practice even getting a two-inch group at 25yds, I'd imagine.
 
If your thinking shotgun I would go with a 20ga. If money is no problem I would go with a Browning o/u. If you are thinking rifle there are a few good one's Ruger 10/22, Browning 22 auto takedown, Browning 22 BLR short throw my favorite. Pistols there are alot of good ones Ruger, Smith, etc.
 
I've bagged a few squirrels and rabbits with a .22 revolver while checking the trapline. Most of my shots were about 15-20 yards at most.
 
Look for one of the Savage O/U's. Rifle on top, shotgun underneath. They come in a variety of combinations, 20ga/.223, or other calibers. They pretty well cover the small game needs nicely with either a rifle or shotgun available to you. If you need, you could shuck in a slug also..............That's what I would do.
 
I have a Savage 17HMR with a heavy barrel. This round will destroy squirrels and rabbits. At seventy yards it is deadly accurate.
 
Lots of great advise.Small game hunting is about what you enjoy.What are your priorities?

I sold it,but I made a .36 muzzleloader with a Douglas bbl that shot ragged hole groups at 50 yds,patched round ball.

Right now in rifles,I have an Anschutz Jr Varminter that is a real nice .22.

I have a Brno/CZ semi-auto 22 WMR with a 6x Burris compact on it.It is nice.too
I just bought a little Chipmunk in 22WMR.Its small,but I think it will be fun.

The target grade Ruger semi-auto handgun with one of those mini optic sights might be great.

I have a Ruger single six,Bisley grip,adj sights in .32 H+R.The Fiocchi 32 S=W wadcutter loads would be great on small game.

An old Marlin 39 lever rifle might be fun,

The one that was a prize,a Remington 513-S model.Like a 513-t but a 27 in heavy sporter bbl.They only made 3000 some back in the50's.It had a Weaver K-4 on it.

I gave it to my son-in law with this condition.

When you and my daughter have children,you will raise them in the tradition of the second ammendment.Sure is a rabbit head popper!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top