another Gun questions - which one?

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newknife

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Jul 6, 2008
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Ok..I have a scenario and would like to know which gun some of you guys would prefer. Say you were going to go on a hiking camping trip for 20-30 days off the beaten path. You're just going to take one gun for "small" game like rabbits, squrriles, birds...ect.

Would you prefer a 22lr?

Or something like a break barrel air gun?

...and why?

Thanks
 
.22 would be a good gun as well as any shot gun. I think I would take my Ruger Mini 14 in .223. it would work for any size game and even be enough for two legged critters.
 
I would definitely choose the 22lr, no questions. It could be used for signaling in an emergency (airgun couldn't), protection from predators (2 legged or 4, yes I know 22Lr isn't the best choice, but it beats the heck out of an airgun).

In all actuality if I had to choose a gun for your situation I would probably go with a shotgun, either a 410 or a 12 gauge. The 12 with a variety of loads could handle anything. The 410 would also be a good choice with less weight, but wouldn't be as good as the 12 against predators or large game.
 
I would say it is going to depend on where you are planning to go. In much of the US you don't have the worries of large four legged predators so the .22 would be fine. In places when mountain lion and bear attacks occur I would probably carry something like the excellent S&W Mountain Gun in .44 or .45 or something similar.
 
pict said:
I'd take my Ruger Single Six. Mac
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I`m with you on this one. With the extra cylinder you can shoot everything from shorts to .22 magnum, including the little shotshells. Probably my most used handgun I own. And yes, I`m good enough with a handgun that I prefer it over a rifle.
 
I would go 12 gauge with some bird load as well as rifled slugs.. You can take small game much easier as well as have serious defense against any predators. Just my .02
 
Stomper said:
I`m with you on this one. With the extra cylinder you can shoot everything from shorts to .22 magnum, including the little shotshells. Probably my most used handgun I own. And yes, I`m good enough with a handgun that I prefer it over a rifle.
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It would be hard to beat a single-six that you are competent shooting. I've taken many small animals with mine. The magnum cylinder gives you another caliber with little extra weight. I think barrel length is a personal preference but know from experience that the magnum is very loud from the 4 5/8" barrel.
 
id take a 22mag, mainly because of how small the ammo is and how light the whole package would be.22 mag packs some punch , ive killed many pigs and a few deer with it(dont tell the game warden)
 
I would take my Single Six or a .410. I know a lot say they can't hit with it but I don't miss small game with it.
 
My opinions:

If you are just going out for a hiking/camping trip where the gun will be a secondary consideration and not your primary means of obtaining food, I would consider a .38. I know it is a bit different than the other sugggestions here but you can carry some reduced loads like wadcutters or semi-wadcutters and some shotshells for game-getting. Carry a few full power loads for self defense.

If you are going to use the gun for your main source of game getting then I'd probably go with a lightweight .22. Something easy to carry that you will have with you all the time.

Like I said, just my thoughts.
SDS
 
Hands down I'd take my .17hmr It's powerful enough for any small game, easy to carry a lot of rounds, and more accurate than any other rimfire.

.22 sucks.


A shotgun would be nice but I wouldn't want to carry a months worth of shells.



Edited to add that the .40 never leaves my side and would be there in case of hungry four legged predators.
 
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i would take my cz452 .22 boltaction... and i would have my .45 on my hip... but most times i'm out i gen have my ruger mk3 in the pack w some ammo, and i always have my .45acp, sometimes my .45colt lever....
 
If you want to maximize your chance of harvesting small game. Get a 12 gauge with bird shot. Can load it with slugs by just pumping the action and kill anything that walks within 75 yards too.

However, 12 gauges are heavy and cumbersome. The 20 gauge is a good round for anything under 300lbs, as well as any sort of small game or fowl. .410 has a pretty low count of shot, but still able to take small game at modest ranges...but you must have a good bit of shooting skills. Slugs out of a .410 will drop deer or pigs without batting an eye if you place your lead in the right place.

Single shot break barrels are the simplest of all actions and tend to be lighter than pumps, semis etc...

A nice bolt action 22lr or 22mag would also be really nice on stationary game, the 22mag is able to kill deer or pigs with head/neck shots. I wouldn't try vital shots to the chest unless it is a small pig or yearling deer. 22lr will also drop pigs and deer with head shots, but is not ideal for anything but birds/rabbits/squirrels. Even birds are dicey unless you have a great snap shot.

Shotguns are the most versatile and lethal for the average person.
 
I'd take something I just bought. A .22 upper for my Kimber. I could carry the 1911 as a normal self defense pistol, and switch out the uppers for hunting if needed.

I'm really impressed with the unit, and the fact that I can mount a light on teh lower, which makes twilight/dusk hunting much easier.
 
I wouldn't take just one gun.

Suppressed and scoped Ruger 10/22 or CZ 452. Doesn't make much noise. With a stiff barrel, Aguila SSS will drop a man-sized deer where it stands with a headshot at up to 120 yards.

Ruger SP-101. First two rounds are snake shot. Bombproof. Snakes, bears, hilljacks.
 
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