Other small game rounds....

[Lupinus]

So I have been wondering latly about other small game calibers besides the good old 22lr. 22lr is great, but it has its limits.

So what are some other good small caliber rounds? And just what are different ones good for, what are the pros and cons of the different ones, etc.

Note I'm not really interested in extreamly small calibers like 17HMR, and also things that wont turn the critters into piles of goo. I like eating what I kill with the exception of crappy things like rats, so calibers that really just tear things up I'm not interested in.

 

[R.W.Dale]

CCI now makes a 20gr FMJ load for 17hmr that would be the cat's meow for edible game. I don't know about the laws in your aera but in Arkansas it's illegal to use centerfire rifle or handgun cartriges on rabbits and squirells, so that limits our choices to 22LR , 22Mag , 17 HM2 and 17HMR and that's it unless you can find a 22WRF that is

 

[Lupinus]

I really like multi-purpose rounds good for various things.

Is 22mag good for alot?

Don't have a lot of experience with some of these smaller calibers.

 

[R.W.Dale]

I've shot all of them and in my opinion there is not anything you can do with a 22 mag that you can't do with a 22lr . I use the 17 hmr on squirells and I just shoot em in the head after all I ain't gonna eat that part. I killed one the other day at 110 yds with my 17HMR

 

[Roudy]

While this may be more powerful than you are looking for, the 22 Hornet is a very good round. More powerful than the 22 magnum and less powerful than a .223. You might check it out to see if this will trip your trigger.

 

[Lupinus]

Thats basicy what I'm after. Something with more punch then LR so it can better handle things, but not overkill and still leaves something left to eat.