Small game centerfire cartridges

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brybenn

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What's the smallest cartridges ppl are using for edible small game?
I ask because I'm curious about a centerfire rifle for squirrels and bunnies and the odd coon or coyote. Basically between 22mag and the 22 Hornet ballistically. Ideally 25/20 would be perfect with cast bullets but the rim makes things more difficult.
I tried the 223 with trail boss but consistent accuracy proved difficult to obtain
 
bertn said:
17 hornet or 204 ruger i'd say but I don't hunt.

Why would you like to use cast bullets?
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Because I'd want to eat the small game. Im looking to keep velocity well under 2000fps and I'd be ideally happy with cast bullets at 1200fps to 1400fps.
204 Ruger would basically obliterate any small game.
 
I have a feeling reloading 17 cal bullets would be a pain as they're quite small and most all centerfire 17s are higher velocity than the 17hmr. I've found the hmr to be to violent for small game unless only headshots are taken.
The 4.6x30 peaked my interest but brass is seriously impossible to find and it's an uncommon head size
 
If it has to be centerfire the 22 Hornet is probably the best bet.
I find the 22 magnum is just about perfect for what you are looking for.
I carry mine more than anything else.
Partridge, Rabbits,Squirrel, Beaver, Coyotes out to 100 plus yard's it does it all.
 
5.7x28 in a bolt action? Otherwise 22 hornet, but it is no slower than a 17hmr...

If you want to eat it and don't want to rely on headshots I can't help but feel like 22lr or 22wmr is the obvious answer?
 
22lr or 22mag, don’t fix what ain’t broken. .22 does enough meat damage on hares when you hit a front 1/4 sometimes, wouldn’t want to see what a squirrel looked like from an unlucky shot with something that had more velocity.
 
If you must have a Centerfire I’d go with a hornet. Headshots will be a must though. You’re really in rimfire territory and a 22 mag as others mentioned is probably best. But yeah if I had to buy a centerfire I’d most likely go with the hornet.
 
brybenn said:
Because I'd want to eat the small game. Im looking to keep velocity well under 2000fps and I'd be ideally happy with cast bullets at 1200fps to 1400fps.
204 Ruger would basically obliterate any small game.
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I see, with cast you should be able to get the velocity in the range you mentioned with a 22 hornet.
In case you need .224 cast bullets, I have a bunch in 55grain with gas checks that I'm willing to sell.
 
I reload cast for 22 Hornet and 221 Fireball. You can drop both of them down to 22 LR velocity easily. The Hornet has an accuracy edge at the lower velocity likely due to the smaller case size I can duplicate anything from 22 short up to top velocity of the two rounds.Too high of velocity just ruins too much meat.
 
Butcherbill said:
22lr or 22mag, don’t fix what ain’t broken. .22 does enough meat damage on hares when you hit a front 1/4 sometimes, wouldn’t want to see what a squirrel looked like from an unlucky shot with something that had more velocity.
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This fer me as well. I've taken a wide range of critters with the .22lr and it's still me favorite, all round meat getter.
 
reb said:
If it has to be centerfire the 22 Hornet is probably the best bet.
I find the 22 magnum is just about perfect for what you are looking for.
I carry mine more than anything else.
Partridge, Rabbits,Squirrel, Beaver, Coyotes out to 100 plus yard's it does it all.
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I’m with Reb, it’s exactly the performance level you’re after and is readily available in FMJs that do the least possible meat damage. The TMJs (total metal jackets) also keep lead fragments out of your food, a very worthy benefit.

I wouldn’t reinvent the wheel too hard when the perfect cartridge for your task sits on the shelf at Canadian Tire. .22 Mag also happens to be one of my favourite cartridges, and if you want to feel classy using it can get an Anschutz or a Cooper chambered therein.
 
I have an Anschutz 1522 in 22 RF Magnum. It is surprisingly accurate with several types of WMR ammunition.
This would be my choice for what you want. Dave.
 
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