one firearm for all game?

EmsRescueGuy said:
I Have A savage model 24c combo gun. 22lr over 20 gauge, I feel that gun will cover alot of game.

You could look at Rossi or New england firearms Single shots with multiple barrels.
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Ditto on the savage 24C. 22/20guage. Or savage 24V 223/20guage. Of course you knew I would say that.
 
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If I HAD to go with just one gun, I would agree that a 20 or 12 gage shotgun with an extra barrel for slugs would be as good as you could do.

I do suspect, however, that a good lever-action in .357 mag or even .44 mag would do pretty well also. The .357 would pretty easily allow for taking of smaller game without tearing them completely to pieces. I've successfully hunted squirrel with my Ruger GP100 handgun in .357 mag and had plenty of squirrel left over to eat.
 
I think for all but those living in wide open areas a 12 ga. would fill the bill.
Blinds, boats, tree stands and a good spotlight:eek: will get you in range.
A few sacks of corn, knowing the location of watering holes, and a couple of salt blocks don't hurt either.;)
 
rocketbomb said:
If I HAD to go with just one gun, I would agree that a 20 or 12 gage shotgun with an extra barrel for slugs would be as good as you could do.

I do suspect, however, that a good lever-action in .357 mag or even .44 mag would do pretty well also. The .357 would pretty easily allow for taking of smaller game without tearing them completely to pieces. I've successfully hunted squirrel with my Ruger GP100 handgun in .357 mag and had plenty of squirrel left over to eat.
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I buy the cheap .38 Special FMJs that come in the Winchester White Box. I mostly but them for plinking with my .357's and ,38's. I have taken opportune shots at little critters with them. They do a good job of not busting up rabbits and squirrels. Never shot any out of a rifle, but I would think of all the commercial ammo available, they would be one of the least destructive.:thumbup:
 
my cz over/under 12 g with shot and slug would be what I pick from my limited gun locker if I had to choose just one.

wish I had one of those 20 g/long rifle combo guns mentioned, that would be perfect. Carry a box of slugs and a whack of .22 and you would be good for a long time.
 
Chewy1 said:
I'm new to long guns, and was just wondering about the options. Is there one firearm that can be used for birds all the way up to deer or beyond, either by switching barrels or something else?
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I've killed rabbit, turkey, squirrel, groundhog, and deer with .223, 22 magnum, and a 22 Hornet...not sure I'd go much bigger with either unless really hungry.
 
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Not to be the spelling police or anything, but I thought you all might be interested in knowing that the only correct spelling of that word you've been mis-spelling is "gauge." If you don't believe me, look it up, but trust me, I have.

See, you learned something today.:)
 
Samael said:
Not to be the spelling police or anything, but I thought you all might be interested in knowing that the only correct spelling of that word you've been mis-spelling is "gauge." If you don't believe me, look it up, but trust me, I have.

See, you learned something today.:)
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You are right. I always have trouble with that one and don't use spell check. When I type it I always say that it never looks right. The word doesn't seem to spell like it is said. Still learning after all these years. It is corrected. Thanks.
 
.30-06 can be loaded from 150 grain all the way up to 210 grain, over a wide range of velocities. It can be used on bears, lions, deer, elk...It's useless for birds but one can pick up a 50 dollar Mossberg at any pawn shop, so... .300 Win Mag is my personal favorite long range caliber for mid and large game but it completely depends on the terrain and range you plan to be shooting from, and the type of hunting that you do. If you hunt from a treestand or a blind, it is different than packing up a 10,000 foot mountain to shoot an elk from the next ridge 900 yards over.
 
Slight correction re the 30-06. You can get bullets for it from 110 to 220 grains. With the 110s it's a great antelope gun and super for elk/moose/etc. with the 220s.

Also, you can small game or bird hunt with the 06 by loading empty but primed 06 cases with two or three grains of Bullseye or Unique powder, then seating one 00 buckshot ball in the case mouth with a bit of tissue or toilet paper as a 'patch.' These rounds are very short range, little noise, and quite accurate for squirrels, rabbits, birds, etc. BTW, this applies to any 30 (.308) caliber rifle from 30 carbine through 300 mag. Of course you have to load single shot but it works and works well.
 
Rossi matched pair set, .22 12ga and .308 or .243... its more of a last chance survival rifle than anything, but there is no one caliber designed to take all game.
 
Old CW, I will one up you. If you reload the 'o6, Hawk sells (and Barnes used to) 250 grain monsters! I have loaded 110 grain cast plinkers before, cheap and easy shooting. I have wanted to try some 85 grain jacketed bullets made for the 7.62 x 25, and will have to try the 00 buck load and see if my gun likes it ~ my dad has a couple pounds of bullseye. Do you need to use a Dacron filler or anything with that low of a load?
 
You have my attention CW4. I too am keen to know whether any filler like dacron is necessary. Thanks for this.
 
When discussing hunting weapons, I normally side with the 12 gauge crowd for the one-gun pick but lately the 20 is looking better. I like 12's, and it's hard to admit that their extra power is just not necessary the majority of the time. Certainly not for small game (except perhaps waterfowl) and rarely necessary for deer-sized game. The lighter shells and lower recoil of the 20 can be a big plus, especially if you're out there doing a lot of shooting. For protection purposes (dangerous animals of all species) a 12 is arguably a better choice, but for most people this isn't really a concern, is it?

I'm partial to NEF/H&R single shots and currently own 5. They're light, handy and very lefty-friendly :thumbup:, but for most people I think a decent pump like the Remington 870 or Mossburg 500 would be a great choice. You would never really need another gun, although you will in all likelihood want one. :)
 
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