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Favorite small game caliber? #5420903 11/14/14 08:26 PM
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Gone to Texas Offline OP
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I am looking for a rifle for rabbit and squirrel hunting. I already own a 22lr but would like a round that could reach out further, 100 yards with strong accuracy.

I have been looking at the 17 hmr but I am worried about meat damage. I have read about the 17 wsm also but I am thinking if I want centerfire performance then I should by a centerfire rifle.

Anyway, what do y'all like to use and had success with?

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5420939 11/14/14 08:43 PM
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I love my Ruger 10/22.

I have friends who swear by their 17 HMRs. They mainly make headshots with those on small game to avoid meat damage. I've always wanted to try out the 17 on squirrels and rabbits.


Gig'em
Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5420953 11/14/14 08:48 PM
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I would say 17hmr or 22mag. I have a 22 mag and 100 yards is pushing it for me on accuracy. 17hmr is how I'd go if I was you for what your wanting.


HRCH Washita's Kimber Locked N Loaded
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Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5420994 11/14/14 09:12 PM
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17hmr and call it good. I wouldn't worry about damaging meat too much.


It ain't easy being me.

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5421893 11/15/14 12:44 PM
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22 hornet


hold on Newt, we got a runaway
Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: colt45-90] #5421901 11/15/14 12:52 PM
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.223 Remington in a light walk-about rifle like the Rem M7, Tikka Lite, or Browning X-Bolt.


"For every complex problem there is an answer that is clear, simple.....and wrong." H. L. Mencken
Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5425026 11/17/14 02:20 AM
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.17 HMR up Great little round for small game.

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5427367 11/18/14 01:05 AM
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17 hmr, been using it for a year now it is great.

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5427541 11/18/14 01:52 AM
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Look at a .223 rem with an FMJ bullet if you are worried about meat damage



Brave Rifles!
Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5427565 11/18/14 02:02 AM
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Meat damage you won't have to worry bout that with a rim fire past 100yrds. What are you shooting? .223 is a great shooting slower round that sounds like what you need.. If you want a rim fire with a punch .22mag or .17hmr is way to go.. Me personally a 22-250 is one Of the greats...

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5427818 11/18/14 03:28 AM
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I have two plinksters one bolt action and one automatic for a coon hunting guns

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5427868 11/18/14 03:40 AM
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22 hornet.

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5427906 11/18/14 04:02 AM
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Buy a .17 HMR, never used them on rabbits or squirrels but have been shooting pigs and yotes with them for years up to 100 yrds all DRT as long as you do your part. Shot a dog at 175 yrds a few weeks ago, game over. I just bought a new .17 WSM, have scope & ammo just need bases & rings and to get it to the range. Looking forward to putting it to use...If you're going to use the .17 for rabbits & squirrels make sure you only shoot for the head or forget about eating them. That little bullet does a lot of damage.

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5429247 11/18/14 08:09 PM
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22 hornet

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5429325 11/18/14 08:29 PM
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7.26X39 worked well on racoons.rolleyes

Pig hunting and had 6 of the little masked bandits come in. Took one in the shoulder with a hollow point at 15 yrds. Needless to say, but he was Dead Right There, and There and little over There also. rifle eek2

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5430956 11/19/14 03:10 PM
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Just re-read post. If your not stuck on getting another rimfire, I would defiantly recommend the 22 hornet. Accurate, and relatively quiet. I think if ya don't wanna break the bank, NEF or H&R have their single shot in 22 hornet for under 300.

Ya know back in the day a lot of people carried smaller centerfires capable of taking small game and lager animals such as deer to feed their families. Not too big and not too small.


It ain't easy being me.

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5431136 11/19/14 04:29 PM
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My favorite gun and round...first really nice rifle I owned. My parents suprised me at age 11..have loved a 22 mag ever since.





Ed

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5434788 11/21/14 11:50 AM
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I have a .243 that I can use for coyotes and stuff, this will be strictly small game. I was thinking of a centerfire but I am concerned about the noise. I like the idea of a suppressed .17 hmr so I can hopefully take more than 1 rabbit/squirrel in a field.

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5434801 11/21/14 12:15 PM
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22 Mag.

Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5435561 11/21/14 07:29 PM
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My 17 hornet in CZ 527 is a tack driver on anything smaller than a red fox out to about 150 yds! love that gun

and it's super accurate! rifle


Life is too short to drink cheap booze and argue with stupid people!
Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: Gone to Texas] #5437122 11/22/14 06:29 PM
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221 fireball or 17hmr or 204 ruger


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Re: Favorite small game caliber? [Re: bradyf] #5437593 11/23/14 12:06 AM
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Originally Posted By: bradyf
22 Mag.


Sometimes chicken, sometimes feathers
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