Do you regard the .22 as a hunting rifle?

Fella's;

I know that many, perhaps not here, think of the .22 as nothing more than a plinker.  You know, fun gun, but not a serious hunting arm.

There are others that are indeed deadly serious about their .22's, but only as paper punchers.  These are the guys that wouldn't dare take the little beauty out into the game fields because it might get knocked around.  Then again, some of the target .22's are about as suitable in the field as a hog in a tuxedo.  They can be a bit heavy you know.

So, if you do hunt with the .22, what game & what gun?  With me it's gophers & mostly either the Ruger 77/22 with a Simmons 4-12 A/O or the Savage MKII LHB  under a Bushnell Legend 5-15 A/O mil-dot.  The Savage/Bushnell is a new combination this year & I'm really looking forward to testing it out.

900F 

Edited by CB900F

I have used a 22 for this for a long time but our gophers are tough, even a direct head shot is a 50/50. I've decided to try stigers so I'll see what happens this year. Add in possums and muskrats and it is hard to make the 22 kill them all consistantly. I've started using my 223 when possible, if they are hit they are dead. I love using the 22 though, for squirrels and rabbits it is fine, but our varmints have really thick skin, hopefully the stingers will give a slight edge.

I have several 22's. I have killed more than a few hogs and steers with one when I was a younger man. I think in the hands of a good shot it will kill most anything. The brain is probably the key to success.

 

Dan

I have killed a few thousand pdogs with a .22, but I guess that was more of shooting than hunting.  The chest or melon and it was lights out.  Ah the good old days.  Set-up, Ruger laminated SS 77/22 with a B&L 3-9.

     Yes I do use my 10/22 to hunt, rabits,gophers, p,dogs, coyotes,grouse, badgers, and any thing shoer of deer! Stingers are a must!!!!!!

I have half a dozen .22s -- I hunt squirrels in the Ozarks with a Kimber M82.  I've probably killed a boxcar load of them with it.  I've also killed rabbits in great numbers, turkey, racoons, armadillos, crows and other critters.  When I was a boy, I killed 2 white tail deer with a .22 -- not proud of it, but I did it.

You don't go out in the woods around here without at least a .22.

huntinbull -

welcome to BSB! pull up a log, sit by the fire and have a beer!

Tasunka Witko,

Thanks for the welcome. Im learning a language quickly (Lakota Sioux) studying as much as i can find on it, but cannot translate your name. Mind clueing me in? I am 1/16th Sioux (ogalalla tribe we believe) and am interested in learning as much as possible about our heritage (not just the famous war chiefs, but the daily customs n beliefs). Any websites or info you could offer would be appreciated.

Doka Hay

Huntinbull

bull -

keep in mind that usually in lakota, the "s" is pronounced as "sh." this would make it look this way>> tashunka witko,

tashunka means horse, and witko means "crazy," but in a mystical, sacred sort of way. hard to translate exactly, as with most things spiritual.

the result, of course, is crazy horse!

as for websites, i've got a section here at bsb devoted to the history of the west, including art and culture. i'll see if i can find a few links and will post them on that board sometime today. the title of the baord is "western art and history, cowboy poetry and campfire stories." believe me, it's a good one to check out!

Edited by TasunkaWitko

    Been hunting with a .22 since I was a little one my frist Sage Hen dropped to one when I was about  7 or 8 that was a mere 40 and some years ago,since then jackalopes,real wabbits,lots of bushytails the list goes on. Now I keep my Ruger model 96 in .22 mag in the back of the truck almost always,and theres a few Marlins and Ithica's laying around the house,been looking at that little Henry pump gun they have out now,looks like a boot.

   Welcome Huntinbull.