I hunt in East Texas, and the terrain varies greatly over our land. A creek, a bit of swamp, a little bit like a jungle, pine forests, pin oak flats, its hard to explain how quickly the terrain can change if you aren't from here. I need a rifle that will be good for both squirrels and whitetails. I've heard a few suggestions, most include either a risk to the meat of the squirrel, or lethality/legality issues over smaller calibers concerning deer. .22 Mag is illegal for deer, .243 is too strong for squirrels. Any help?

Shotgun!

Slugs or buckshot for deer and #6's for squirrel.

I cant think of one rifle out there that I would hunt both deer and squirrel with.

x2

x3

Get a double barrel. .22LR on top, 20 ga on bottom....

I know several in Mississipworks thst combination, one guy is pretty good with 20ga slugs, and the sights on it. Just be sure and shoot the correct barrel for the intended target.

A different combo would work also if you can find it 223 over 20ga,

How bout a gun with interchangeable barrels, like a TC or something

I'd go with a shotgun. Twice barrel with shot on once side and Slug on the other.

17 centerfire

Remmy 870

I agree with the others and recommend you get a good shotgun. However, if you just have to use a centerfire rifle, I suggest you get a good accurate, scoped .22LR target pistol that you can carry on your person along with the rifle.

A great little gun would be the Savage over/under..22mag over 20 3in. mag...They even have 30-30 over 20's 12's..all diff. combos..I think that they made a 22 hornet over 20ga..Good Luck

They did but the larger rifle cals are harder to find. I bought a .223 over 20ga couple weeks ago at the show in Tulsa. Just shot it sunday and its very accurate. Great little guns if your willing to spend $450 to $550. Picked mine up for $425 and I did alot of looking to find it.

.22 Hornet may work, i just can't carry 2 guns through the thick stuff. At those ranges a kill shot on a deer is easy pickins, it was the legality issue, and since they are centerfire that issue is cleared up, but is it too much for squirrels?

not if you keep it to head shots or around 100 yds

That's what i was wanting to hear, thx for all your help folks, don't hesitate to ask if i can return the favor. My family has been hunting in the Great State of Texas since 1833, and while i may not know much about guns, i know the land and the critters better than any scientist or naturalist out there, so if anyone needs help i'll do my best.

stevens mod 24 22lr over 20 ga They are getting pricey.

If your still undecided the 22 Hornet with a good 2-7 would be a good choice. And Practice Practice Practice. If you are going to deer hunt with the Hornet you must know your ability and stay within it. Mine is an H&R youth with a Leupold 2-7. Yes im 40 years old and weigh 240 but the youth gun shoots for me.

I run a mueller 4x16x50 with illuminated dot on my hornet, great for pigs at night.

Yeah that sounds about right. I've been rather particular about my model 70 30-06, but now i find Winchester made a Model 70 in a .22 Hornet. Maybe i can scare one of them up somewhere.

The hornet is an awesome gun IF you know EXACTLY where you're hitting. I have killed probably 15 deer with the hornet and never had one make more than 3 steps after impact. I lost mine during Ike and I've been looking to replace it every since.