Favorite small rifle cartridge(s)?

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38-45 Special

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While I love the .22lr, there is a huge spectrum of small rifle cartridges on the market. What's your favorite small rifle cartridge? NOTE: When I say "small" I'm referring to a cartridge that is relatively low power that would (typically) be used for small game.

Mine would have to be the .17 WSM. To me, it can do everything a .22 WMR can do and more. If it weren't for the lack of availability (not just now with the shortage, but in general), I feel that it would be even more popular than it is.
 
I always thought the 256WinMag sounded like it'd be a dandy small game cartridge and great to play around with as a handloader.

A modern version, necked to 224 to use the bullets for hornets or 22tcm would be cool too. More 224 bullets than 25 in that light of a range.
 
As I said in post #3, 22 Hornet. Among other things, it can easily be downloaded to 22LR levels if one desires.

My 21" Contender Carbine likes 40 grain Speer SP bullets. The carbine is light weight and quick to handle. The modest recoil of the 22 Hornet makes it great for small varmints out to about 80-100 yards.

I also like 221` Remington Fireball but it is probably boarding on the upper extreme of what the OP was asking for. I have a 22" Bullberry Contender barrel and a Remington 700 both chambered in 221 Remington Fireball. These have a bit more useful range than the 22 Hornet at the expense of a little bit more noise.
 
222/223 I consider them small since I have a 7mm RUM. Though I do like 22lr and have more of those then any other gun. Top favorite would be my Remington Pump 22 with Shorts.
 
The .22 Hornet, I can reload it. Taking that out of consideration, the .17 HMR.
 
I have 3 in the car right now fighting for that spot. I like a 22 as much as anybody but I just want centerfire and oomph to knock down a coyote as they are fairly plentiful where I grew up. That said, it’s a tough call to make, 30 carbine is great for packing a punch, 223 for a little distance work, and 6.8spc for the big end of small game. These three will go play with their cousins tomorrow after lunch and be with my all time favorite small game rounds in .256 winmag, 380, and 38spl. In handguns though, small game gets no better than 32swl but 22 mag is nipping at its heels.

Apparently I like small game guns. Some antiques are good too, 38sw will absolutely do in a pinch and 32 sw gets squirrels if you can hit them but good luck trying. I haven’t connected a shot from my safety hammerless yet. 32 acp would also be good and there are 32acp guns accurate enough to realistically give it a try.
 
9mm. I can shoot my carbine all day long for not much more than .22lr if I pick up all my brass. I have also worked up a load that it likes and get pretty good acuracy, something that I can't customize with rim fire cartridges. .30 carbine is another, but that is more about the weapon than the round.
 
Mine would have to be the .17 WSM. To me, it can do everything a .22 WMR can do and more.

It sure can do more. There is a noticeable difference between a squirrel shot with a 22 WMR and a 17 WSM (or 17HMR even). The WSM destroys more meat.

For general varmints however, the 17 WSM is a step or two above the 22 Mag. The 22 mag comes in a great variety of much neater rifles though.
 
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