Small game: What's your pick?

[AFDoc]

Two parts:

1.) In your best estimation/opinion, what is the best load for small game from squirrel to a 25lb pig? We are not talking eradication. We are talking harvesting, so while a 12ga with buckshot will do very nicely as far as the killing is concerned,... you get the idea. Additionally, for the purposes of this conversation, let us hold the cost and availability of all ammunition constant. It's a fantasy--I know--but if the ammo cost the same and were equally available what would you use?
22lr?
17 HMR?
17 Hornet?
22 WMR?
22 Hornet?
204 Ruger?
223 Rem?
.410 ga?
28 ga?

2.) What would be your preferred platform? I am looking for your specific model of firearm.

I think the 17 Hornet might fit the bill, and given I have only one choice, I'll pick the Savage Model 25 Walking Varminter.

 

[courtgreene]

.22lr marlin m60. it's quiet, it's light, it's simple and it (projectile) won't keep going much further after it goes through the target.
.410 comes in second (savage m30), just because I like that gun.

 

[Eb1]

I'd go with my Marlin Model 60. Accurate.

 

[ZGunner]

.22lr, for me a Ruger 10/22 does great for squirrels.
If I was hunting anything bigger I'd want something with a lil more oomf, maybe a .223 just becasue I'm familiar with it.

 

[ColtPythonElite]

CZ in .22lr

 

[greywolf444]

based on your requirements I vote for a henry 22 mag and single six in 22 mag. They will do nicely on these size critters. I carry one or the other(sometimes both) around the farm for "things that need to be shot" duties. really a 22 lr will do what you need if the ranges aren't too long and ammo cost is that big of a deal.

There is nothing I will encounter on a daily basis that can't be handled with a 22 mag.

 

[Eb1]

Not to start a debate, but I think we can all agree that a .22 LR on a 25 lbs. piggy with one to the ear will do the job at 50 yards or less.

A .22 Mag will do better if ranges are longer.

 

[roninrlm]

A 25lb pig---in Texas is my first question. I live about 120 miles from SA and I have seen 25lb Pig droppings here. I would use a .223---I just do not like to see animals suffer. I have had to much touble with larger (25lb and up) game with anything RF. Now if you are just killing them up close for meat a .22 mag is OK but only in a rifle.

The last Wild Pig I shot was 435lbs and I used a 500 gr 45/70. Knocked her right off her feet.

ronin

 

[T.R.]

22MAG hits like a little grenade. Tissue destruction is quite ghastly indeed!

TR

 

[303tom]

Twenty Two Long Rifle...............

 

[borrowedtime69]

.22 LR preferably 40 grain CCI Velociters or the 38 grain CCI mini-mag Hollow Points. These would do well for anything coyote size or smaller out to 50 - 75 yards. The only time i would do 100 yards for .22 LR would be prairie dogs.

My prefered platform would be a Ruger 10-22 with an accurized bull barrel and a BSA Sweet .22 Scope, after market trigger (2 1/2 LB's), and synthetic stock. i have this gun to specs i mentioned and it really is a game harvester. We routinely use this gun on the local P. dog population out to 100-125 yards. also use it on Red squirrel up in the Rockies.

 

[Texan Scott]

Lever action. 410. With you choice choke and shot or slug and rifle sights, I think anything from squirrel to whitetail deer is in the range of possible. (And if you find a reliable 410 levergun and a consistent source of good cheap 410 shot, buck, and slugs, let me know!)

 

[JEB]

my first choice would be a ruger 77/22 in .22 hornet. mostly because if im going to shoot something, i want to be able to make my own ammo for it because i love to fiddle with loads and fine tune them to whatever i need to do.

my second choice would be for the same rifle in .22 mag. my current small game rifle is a marlin 925m (.22 mag) and it is a tack-driver and a squirrel's worst nightmare.

 

[Feanor]

Ruger 10/22.

 

[AFDoc]

I expected lots of 22lr, and I cannot fault the choice at all.

Texan Scott, a .410 levergun would be perfect.

With the popularity of 17 HMR, I am surprised no one has mentioned it.

 

[MrDig]

Marlin 60 or Henry Lever Action 22lr next would be a .410 pick your platform mine is a single shot bolt action but I like them all

 

[mmccolli]

i have a ruger 77/22 mag all weather, with scope (leopold 2-7x) and iron sights. its my favorite rifle, 5 shot groups in .5" @ 50yds. i have taken pigs, beaver, coyote, and small game; largest pig was 100 lbs at 75 yds (broad side almost passed through). has enough bullet choices (fmj, hp, sp) for a variety of situations, and the rifle is lightweight but built like it was a centerfire. though i wouldnt shoot medium game (30+lbs) with it much past 100 yds.

 

[Sniper66]

I shoot lots of squirrels and p-dogs with 17HMR and it will kill a small hog, but I wouldn't set out to hunt one with it. You have probably seen films of pellet rifle manufacturers killing hogs with a .177 pellet rifle. The question really is about what you want to hunt with. The smallest caliber I would use for hogs would be a .22 Hornet, but would prefer a .223. A local ranger saw a big hog that was killed with a .270, but it had a large caliber slug in it's jaw that didn't kill it. Those big old buggers can be hard to kill.
By the way, I shoot 2 17HMRs, a Ruger 77/17 and an Anschutz 1517MPR.

 

[MCgunner]

For most small game, I'd shoot my .22LR Ruger Mk 2 scoped pistol. If it might be moving, shotguns excluded, I'd probably go with my iron sighted Ruger 10/22. If I were REALLY mad at the squirrels, my 50 year old Remington M512X is still my most accurate .22 and its outshot every marlin its ever met. For piglets, I might opt for my Remington 597 in .22 magnum.

See, I don't have to pick just one caliber for all game. That's sorta why I own more'n one gun.

Hmm, edit, I see 28 gauge is a choice, so if the game is moving....

 

[savanahsdad]

Savage mod 24 O/U. 22 Hornet over 20ga. there ya got it covered

 

[MCgunner]

I've decided the Savage 24V is too iffy for me to ever get one. I've heard a lot of 'em aren't regulated for squat.

 

[savanahsdad]

I've decided the Savage 24V is too iffy for me to ever get one. I've heard a lot of 'em aren't regulated for squat.

I have a 24 p series and a 24 s series and love them they work ever time , there is a savage form sight , they seem to love there center fire 24's but to me they have always been great small game guns , mine are 22lr over 410ga and a 22lr over 20ga , but for this thred I listed a 22 hornet for the hog factor

 

[CountryUgly]

If I'm stuck to just the one gun and one caliber and I'd have to roll with my old Fieldmaster pump in .22lr.

 

[Certaindeaf]

I'd go with a good 9mm handgun. They'll kill a squirrel and make a 25 pound pig fly pretty good. Plus, you might have it on your hip anyway so there's always that.

 

[MCgunner]

I'd go with a good 9mm handgun. They'll kill a squirrel

Sure, if you can HIT it. Squirrel's a tough target. My Ruger Mk2 is 1" at 50 yards accurate with its 2X optic. I prefer accuracy to power. A head shot on a 25 lb pig is all it takes for the rimfire. I've killed 200 lb pigs in the trap with a NAA 1 5/8" barrel mini revolver in .22LR...head shot.