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?

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.

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.

17hmr and call it good. I wouldn't worry about damaging meat too much.

22 hornet

.223 Remington in a light walk-about rifle like the Rem M7, Tikka Lite, or Browning X-Bolt.

.17 HMR Great little round for small game.

17 hmr, been using it for a year now it is great.

Look at a .223 rem with an FMJ bullet if you are worried about meat damage

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...

I have two plinksters one bolt action and one automatic for a coon hunting guns

22 hornet.

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.

22 hornet

7.26X39 worked well on racoons.

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.

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.

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

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.

22 Mag.

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!

221 fireball or 17hmr or 204 ruger