.22lr Pistol or Rifle

[FlyingKiwi]

I would like to get a .22lr. For general cheap plinking but also small game. I have never hunted in my life and was wondering if hunting small game would be out of the question with a .22lr pistol?

 

[rsbufo1966]

Absolutely not out of the question. Do a little research on the Ruger Single Six. Not too pricey, very reliable and extremely accurate from my experience. I have carried one for years camping, hiking and just out plinking, and routinely use it for varmint control. It comes with a second cylinder, chambered in .22 Magnum.

You might also check out the Ruger 10/22 if you haven't had any experience hunting small game. For a beginner, you may find a rifle easier to use and more accurate as well.

There are many other choices besides Ruger, though. I have both mentioned above, so my suggestion is based on my own experience only.

 

[BADUNAME37]

For someone who has never hunted, and if you have not fired a lot if pistols, I would go with a good, semi-automatic rifle, perhaps even a nice fixed-power scope made for .22 rimfire. The rimfire scopes sometimes come with their own mounts/rings for the standard 3/8" dovetail receiver slots on the top of the receiver. I recently went to wally-world and bought a decent Bushnell straight 4 power and bought a nice set of rings seperately and it made such a difference on a 60 year-old .22 rifle I have that, with the ammo the gun 'likes', I can shoot 5/8" groups at 50 yards! Considering I would not likely shoot any small vermin past about 50 yards, the straight 4 power scope is perfect, all for less than $50 for the scope and rings!

A Ruger 10/22 comes to mind. I would first buy as many different kinds of ammo you can find, just one box of each, to see which ammo the gun shoots the tightest group off a bench, and the rifle functions the best without jamming. Once you see which ammo is best for that particular rifle, stock up on that ammo and nothing else, as most ammo changes the point of impact to some extent!

I would pick a rifle that you can get all manner of parts and aftermarket stuff to change out, if you want. For instance, suppose you decide you want a lighter trigger? Make sure the rifle you get will allow you to buy a quality after-market lighter and crisper trigger that you can easily replace on your own.

MidwayUSA has many parts for guns. I would think that, with the Ruger 10/22 semi-auto, you could basically replace the entire gun with new parts from Midway if you wanted (except for the part that has the serial number on it, which is more than likely the receiver). The serial-numbered part is considered "the rifle."

 

[Geckgo]

I would go carbine if it's for plinking and hunting. Pistols are fun in their own right but if you want the best tool for the job, go rifle, IMO. I think you'd have a better time "learning to hunt" with a rifle. I have a 10/22, but any bolt or semi action would work well for your purposes. They also make lever actions that are nice cause you can use .22 shorts in them. Lots to choose from, have fun!

 

[oldfool]

Any rimfire handgun can certainly be used for small game hunting, but unless you already have experience and skill with one, your hunting success is going to be much better with a rimfire carbine/rlfle.

Since you (apparently) own neither, and have never hunted before, your choice of action type probably ought be based on plinking preferences. Hunting is not a rapid fire speed contest, no hi-cap magazines required. There is a real difference between serious target shooting and general purpose plinking and hunting, so don't be too ready to jump all over make/model X/Y until you have given that some more thought. Setting a price range you are willing to entertain up front is also a good notion; there is ultimately about a 100:1 price range in available 22 rimfire firearms, you know, although 10:1 price range is a serious stretch for most of us.

 

[CraigC]

Hunting with a .22 pistol is a heck of a lot of fun but I have to agree with the above that it's not the best way to learn.

 

[ForumSurfer]

I have never hunted in my life and was wondering if hunting small game would be out of the question with a .22lr pistol?

Yes, but I'll echo others in that you should be very skilled with a handgun or you'll be missing many small, furry woodland creatures.

I'd get both. Ruger 22/45's and buckmarks can be had cheap. Ruger and marlin both offer very low cost and accurate rifles out of the box. You can easily have one of each for under $500.

 

[Pilot]

You'll shoot a pistol a lot more than a rifle typically. Ruger MK II and some bricks of Federal bulk, and you're all set.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I hunt small game with a .22 -- usually either my Colt Woodsman or my Colt Officers Model Target.

But you need to ask yourself what your goal is. Your success rate with a handgun will be low -- especially if you are a beginner. If you are success-oriented, then a rifle or better still a shotgun is the answer. If you are challenge-oriented, then the handgun is what you want.

 

[Dr.Rob]

My dad hunted a lot of small game with a Ruger Mk1 target pistol--so I followed in his footsteps with a mk2, it's certainly doable but as a beginner I'd recommend starting with a rifle, then work up to the pistol.

Good bullets are a MUST with a pistol.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I personally am more comfortable small game hunting with a rifle over a handgun.

For general plinking, a .22 pistol is a lot of fun.

The Ruger Single Six is a nice option, comes with a .22 magnum cylinder, but can be a bit on the expensive side. If you're not going to shoot it much, and expect more casual plinking than serious hunting, the Heritage single actions are another way to go.

For more of a Sport pistol .22, there are some good options there. The Browning Buckmark, Ruger MkII, S&W 22A can all be had for a decent price. So it really all depends on the action you want, and how the pistol feels in your hand.

But everyone should have a .22 rifle.

 

[sansone]

hunt with a rifle, easier to get hits plus the added brrl length increases the velocity of the anemic 22LR

 

[GCBurner]

It's a HECK of a lot easier to hit something with a rifle than a pistol at anything other than point-blank range. I grew up hunting squirrels with a single-shot .22, taking mostly headshots at 20-40 yards. I couldn't count on doing that consistently with a pistol at that range, even now.

 

[hermannr]

I would like to get a .22lr. For general cheap plinking but also small game. I have never hunted in my life and was wondering if hunting small game would be out of the question with a .22lr pistol?

A pistol is more difficult to shoot accurately, especially at longer distances, and takes considerable practice, unless you are a "natural" like one of my grand-daughters.

If you go with a pistol (lots of fun) get a good one. Browning Bunckmark, Colt Woodsman, High Standard Trophy, High Standard Victor...something that you do not have to second guess if you missed because of the accuracy of the pistol, or if it was you (with the above pistols, you can assume it was you that goofed up, not the pistol).

Start with targets until you are fully confident in your ability to hit what you are aiming at. There are also some very nice .22 cal. revolvers. Remember, you do not have to purchase new, some of the better pistols (like the Trophy) are not available new anymore.

We have a High Standard Trophy, (.22lr) and a High Standard Olympic (.22 short only) and really like them both. Neither are manufactured anymore, but parts are available even thoough we have never had to replace anything on either after thousands of rounds, you can even purchase new barrels for them. BTW: If you get a pistol like the High Standard, only copper plated bullets, mine does not like to feed lead heads. The tighter the tolerance on the pistol, the more accurate, but also the pickier on the ammo.

A .22 rifle is much easier to master, is generally more accurate, and can shoot longer distances. I disagree with starting with the semi-auto rifle though. I would start with a bolt action repeater, or even a single shot. That forces you to pay more attention because followup shots take more time.

I have only taken one of my grandchildren straight to the compitition .22 pistol. She is a natural and hit 10X out of 10, after she had only fired 5 rounds. (Olympic pistol).

The rest of our grandchildren (12 more) have, or will, start on the single shot .22 rifle, move up to a bolt action repeater .22 rifle, and when they have the fundimentals down, they can move up to a .22 pistol.

IMHO, The most fun small game with a .22 is shooting gophers.

 

[tubeshooter]

I'd get both. Ruger 22/45's and buckmarks can be had cheap. Ruger and marlin both offer very low cost and accurate rifles out of the box. You can easily have one of each for under $500.

Being able to get base models for both - barely - doesn't quite qualify as "easily".

I'll bet you can't get a BM Hunter or Field and a rifle and come in under $500.

The statement was a lot truer 10 years ago.


But point taken. And I vote for rifle first; both for $5-600 if you can swing it.

 

[CraigC]

Being able to get base models for both - barely - doesn't quite qualify as "easily".

Close enough. I bought a 22/45RP model last year for $279. There are several .22 rifles for $200 and under. I'd say you could get both under $500 rather easily.