Versatile Hunting Rifle & Calibers

[JM]

Hey folks,

After many, many years of thinking about it I decided to take the course to get my gun permit and hunting license. There is a backlog for the course so I'll likely not get in until September or October. While I wait I'm doing some research on practical calibers for small and medium size/predator size game, something big enough to drop a small hog, but won't blow a massive hole through a jackrabbit. I'm not sure if that is a good question or not having no experience with hunting.

Also, any practical advise on rifle purchasing would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

jm

 

[Greengardener]

I'll be interested in the replies too. I've seen a 22 used for dropping birds and even a meat goat and a small bull dropped quickly with a 22 shot to the head - put down for meat. I would think it would be useful on groundhogs. I've considered what to do with my backyard groundhog. So far, watching that huge momma stand there whistling to call her kits home has delayed any action on my part as it reminded me of my mom back in the day. Mom's whistle could reach the entire neighborhood! Seeing that big momma groundhog was quite the site. I'm in active and acknowledged denial and find myself hoping they'll just move away.

 

[Darkhorse]

I've considered what to do with my backyard groundhog. So far, watching that huge momma stand there whistling to call her kits home has delayed any action on my part as it reminded me of my mom back in the day. Mom's whistle could reach the entire neighborhood! Seeing that big momma groundhog was quite the site. I'm in active and acknowledged denial and find myself hoping they'll just move away.

Maybe you can encourage them to move by running a lawnmower over their den for several minutes? Or maybe give them time to grow up? You can always use them for target practice if they get to be a problem later...

 

[jacks]

Maybe a shotgun? It is very versatile. You can load it with a variety of different shot depending on what you are hunting. Also harder to miss.

 

[JM]

I recently did a little shooting and agree the shotgun is a good choice for many reasons. We were using slugs and had a blast, not to mention, they are fairly cheap to buy. We also used a .22LR which is a lot of fun. I'll likely buy one of each.

 

[jacks]

I recently did a little shooting and agree the shotgun is a good choice for many reasons. We were using slugs and had a blast, not to mention, they are fairly cheap to buy. We also used a .22LR which is a lot of fun. I'll likely buy one of each.

That could be a good plan. Buying one of each would give you a lot of versatility and neither one needs to be very expensive. (They do have "over/under" guns that have both a shotgun and 22 combined, but I wouldn't suggest them because they are only single shot and don't tend to be that accurate.) Also I would suggest a 12 gauge for ultimate flexibility though maybe a bit of kick.

 

[Arc F1]

Hey folks,

After many, many years of thinking about it I decided to take the course to get my gun permit and hunting license. There is a backlog for the course so I'll likely not get in until September or October. While I wait I'm doing some research on practical calibers for small and medium size/predator size game, something big enough to drop a small hog, but won't blow a massive hole through a jackrabbit. I'm not sure if that is a good question or not having no experience with hunting.

Also, any practical advise on rifle purchasing would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

jm

Rossi makes a few models that come with two barrels. They are easy to change. That way you can have a rifle and shotgun. A 22 long rifle hp round will take down just about anything but not so much at a distance.

 

[Unqualified]

OP, pistol calibers are not so fast and powerful as a rifle caliber. So maybe a pistol caliber in a lever action rifle. Like a 357 would be good for a small hog or a ground hog at close range. Small kick and enough penetration. Just buy good expanding ammo like a hollow point or soft point. They will allow a scope too for better accuracy.
Just go in the gun shop and pick what you want, fill out the papers, pay your money and I don’t know how long the wait time is now. Used to be 10 days. They give you a back ground check which you have to pay for. Then you pick it up and have to lock it in a case and take it home. You can buy ammo at the same time.

 

[Resto]

I have many different Guns for different Purposes. IMO there is no "One Caliber" solution. However..if I had to choose just one, it would be an M4 in 5.56 (I build ARs). It will do just about anything.

 

[Ancient of Days]

For self defense: 9mm Glock 17
Small game: .22 Ruger 10/22 with a few upgrades
Larger game: 5.56 and get a .223 wylde chambered rifle. It can handle the higher 556 pressures but is more accurate than a 556 chamber.
Keep it simple, these 3 calibers will cover everything.

 

[Resto]

For self defense: 9mm Glock 17
Small game: .22 Ruger 10/22 with a few upgrades
Larger game: 5.56 and get a .223 wylde chambered rifle. It can handle the higher 556 pressures but is more accurate than a 556 chamber.
Keep it simple, these 3 calibers will cover everything.

I like the 1 in 7 Wylde Barrels also. I put them on all my "Builds".

 

[Plain-Complicated]

Hi JM, I think I'm proabably late to the party. First off, let me say that you chose quite a time to seek guns and ammo! Good luck, and I feel your wallet's pain. My recommendation would be the good old SKS. It's a Canadian tradition. They are relatively cheap, rugged guns that you can then pass on to your children. They are chambered in 7.62x39, so you can take about any game with one although it would certainly be overkill on very small game where a .22 or birdshot would suffice. The SKS is first and foremost a weapon of war, so its effectiveness as a self-defence weapon goes without saying. 7.62x39 ammo has always been among the cheapest, and is still relatively "cheap" in today's market -- no to mention obtainable. Hope this helps someone.

 

[East of Eden]

How about a .22 magnum, .222 or .223?

 

[Berean Tim]

Practice ! Being a good shot will lower the need for multiple calibers. A deer can be taken with a well placed .22 round

 

[Greengardener]

Practice ! Being a good shot will lower the need for multiple calibers. A deer can be taken with a well placed .22 round

I watched a man take out a bull (cattle) with a well placed .22.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Practice ! Being a good shot will lower the need for multiple calibers. A deer can be taken with a well placed .22 round

But not legally in most states.

 

[pescador]

Practice ! Being a good shot will lower the need for multiple calibers. A deer can be taken with a well placed .22 round

A .22 is not the best caliber for anything bigger than small game such as rabbits. Using a .22 on deer has a high chance of a non-fatal result; the animal will suffer needlessly.

 

[pescador]

I'm an "old-timer". IMHO the best all-around calibers are either a 30-06 or a .270 Either one can be found in a variety of bullets suitable for everything from small game to very large game such as deer, elk, etc.

 

[Berean Tim]

A .22 is not the best caliber for anything bigger than small game such as rabbits. Using a .22 on deer has a high chance of a non-fatal result; the animal will suffer needlessly.

I was writing on "Prepping" not normal hunting. I would never use a .22 on a deer unless I needed to feed my family

 

[Berean Tim]

But not legally in most states.

This forum is on "Prepping" not normal conditions. It's about survival