Best 22lr for hunting small game?
- Thread starter Karimi
- Start date
Oooh ya.
That depends.
On a lot of things.
Much as I hate to be one of those guys, “Best” opens a big’ol door.
As an example. When i’m feeling nostalgic, I take a Cooey model 82 trainer that my grampa traded a couple chickens for back in the 50’s. “It’ll take the eyes out of a bird flyin”.
If i’m showing off, i take my grey birch LDR which literally will take the eyes out of a squirrel at 50 yards and beyond.
But mostly, I take my Henry mini bolt because its weightless in my pack and kills the vast majority of grouse and rabbits I run into just fine. If this country wasn’t so effed, i wud take a 6” .410 derringer in my back pocket.
I just got a 9mm flobert so I will be playing with that this next season. Both ball and shot.
That depends.
On a lot of things.
Much as I hate to be one of those guys, “Best” opens a big’ol door.
As an example. When i’m feeling nostalgic, I take a Cooey model 82 trainer that my grampa traded a couple chickens for back in the 50’s. “It’ll take the eyes out of a bird flyin”.
If i’m showing off, i take my grey birch LDR which literally will take the eyes out of a squirrel at 50 yards and beyond.
But mostly, I take my Henry mini bolt because its weightless in my pack and kills the vast majority of grouse and rabbits I run into just fine. If this country wasn’t so effed, i wud take a 6” .410 derringer in my back pocket.
I just got a 9mm flobert so I will be playing with that this next season. Both ball and shot.
I'd be looking for a minty excellent condition CZ 513 "farmer". it's a solid no frills compact light accurate package. these are out of production and the closet model CZ has now is the 457 scout but it is configured for younger shooters and comes with a much shorter length of pull buttstock. try to find one of the 513 models if you can. my .02.
Tough question to answer. A 500$ 10 22 will be just as effective as a 2500$ Anschutz on the game you mentioned. One may be able to shoot smaller groups than the other but the critters don’t know that. Buy something that fits and something that you will be proud of and I guarantee that you will have the best.22 for hunting small game.
Anything in the CZ line up.
Look for something that feel right. A quality rifle will be a pleasure for years. Shooting meat animals you want something that will do head shots, so ammo is also a concern. Many good choices spending a bit extra now will be worthwhile in the long run.
slinkylegs
Regular
- Location
- Hudson Bay, SK
If you are looking for a semi, I think it's hard to go wrong with the ol' 10/22. Easy to get used to, customizable, and relatively inexpensive. Really reliable in my experience.
If a bolt, then I'd recommend the CZ's, be they 452/455/457. I've had about 4 of them, and all were accurate and fun to handle.
In all honesty, I think ammo selection is just as important for rimfire when looking for performance
If a bolt, then I'd recommend the CZ's, be they 452/455/457. I've had about 4 of them, and all were accurate and fun to handle.
In all honesty, I think ammo selection is just as important for rimfire when looking for performance
Butcherbill
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Blaster land, Okanagan BC
The best .22lr you can hunt with would be one that you shoot well, for me it’s been a mag fed bolt action with a 3-9 scope and a tube fed pump action.
Go handle a few and see what appeals to you.
Go handle a few and see what appeals to you.
Best bolt-action you can afford and won't mind carrying around (barrel length, stock type, etc. will all be factors here). I've got nothing but good things to say for my Anschutz, but it wasn't cheap. A CZ strikes a good balance between build quality, accuracy and price. I have a 455fs ad it shoots like a laser beam - no plastic, real walnut, not too fussy about ammo. I've hunted with semis too, and they're fine too until the weather gets nasty. They're finicky about ammo too - you'll want repeatable accuracy for small targets like squirrel.
