.22 hunting rifles?

[Mark75H]

I'm no hunting pro but a shotgun seems like overkill for a bunny. I shot a rabbit once as a kid with a pump air rifle.

I guess you wouldn't shoot quail, dove or blackbirds with a shotgun either

 

[GodOfVice]

I'm no hunting pro but a shotgun seems like overkill for a bunny. I shot a rabbit once as a kid with a pump air rifle.

Not at all, 6 shot field load for rabbit. The OP wanted to know about a 22 and it's been all over since then. I DO use shotgun for dedicated upland game but have a 22 with shorts for that midnight rabbit.

 

[protegeV]

I guess you wouldn't shoot quail, dove or blackbirds with a shotgun either

Like I said, no hunter, lol.

 

[Biggfoot44]

Use whichever.22lr that YOU like, and can shoot reasonably well.

The most efficient way to kill rabbits or squirels is slightly different from useing..22 rifle because you enjoy hunting with a .22 .

Unless you have a sweet spot for rabbits already lined up on purpose, you will do a lot better a finding squirels than rabbits.

 

[1time]

I'm no hunting pro but a shotgun seems like overkill for a bunny. I shot a rabbit once as a kid with a pump air rifle.

They're not hard to kill, they are hard to hit. They run 30 mph and not in a straight line. They usually don't stay in the open long so you have to be quick. Like I said before, they don't stand around in the open in the winter. You either have to chase them out of the brush or have a good dog or three to do it for you. Rabbit hunting with a good dog is as good as hunting gets.

 

[HordesOfKailas]

I bought a Ruger 10/22 with peep sights and a picatinny rail for ~$250 a year and a half ago. Fit my bill particularly nicely because of the stock irons (which are really quite nice) and the ability to add a scope. Slightly more expensive than a base model, but worth it IMO. My little brother and I were hitting bullseyes at 70 yards after a few mags of practice and we're not marksmen or anything.

 

[GunnerGunz]

Only the landowner can hunt their own property without a license. Anyone else needs one.

Also, I've had a Marlin 60 .22 for about 17 years and have never had an issue with it. And it drives nails at 50 yards.

Marlin 60 works wonders and for less than the Ruger

 

[John from MD]

If you are looking for a tackdriving .22 for small money, get the Savage MKIIGL with accutrigger. Buds has them for $189. This bolt action handles well, has open sights and a dovetail for a 4X scope.

I am one of the believers in shotgun for rabbit and .22 for squirrel but you can try it if you want. The problem with shooting rabbilts in brush is, well, the brush. Shotgun using 5 or 6 shots has a chance of getting through. With a .22, you only need one light branch to deflect it.

 

[BigSteve57]

I have a Ruger 10/22, a Marlin-Glenfield 60, a Browning SA-22 takedown and a recently acquired Henry Evil Roy Lever action.


I've hunted with all but the Henry and my all time favorite is my Browning SA-22 takedown. Broken down it can fit in a small day pack and the fitted case makes it very convenient to haul around.


http://www.browning.com/products/firearms/rifles/sa-22-rifles.html


Example rifle & case:

 

[Blacksmith101]

Beagle and a scattergun is what rabbit hunting is all about. ProtegV usually Buggs is bugging out at the time of the shot and hitting a bounding bunny with a single projectile is beyond the abilities of most.

 

[protegeV]

Beagle and a scattergun is what rabbit hunting is all about. ProtegV usually Buggs is bugging out at the time of the shot and hitting a bounding bunny with a single projectile is beyond the abilities of most.

I wouldn't even think of trying to hit a moving rabbit with a rifle. They'd have to be still. Back in MD I saw TONS of rabbits in the yard of every house I ever lived in. Pretty easy to find a decent shot with a little patience. They don't usually run off until you're closer than 10-15 yards.

I guess if you're chasing them out of brush and shooting them on the run then a scattergun would be required.

 

[John from MD]

You better look out for the Jacks where you live now. Some are big enough to drag you into the bushes.

 

[photoracer]

I am new to .22 and hunting. It's most likely going to use for rabbit hunting. I did a quick search and found that the Ruger 10-22 was the best bet, especially in price at around $200. Also I don't need a permit to hunt on private land with permission right?

Suggestions are welcomed and appreciated.

A Remington 597 is cheaper than a 10/22 out the door and just about as accurate. You can get a 597 with a scope for about the same price as a 10/22 with iron sights at places like DSG. Many years ago NRA magazine did a tactical 22 test and the tactical versions of the 10/22 and 597 finished in virtually a dead heat for first in accuracy by a good measure over the other tactical 22s they tested.

 

[Kiwiknoll]

Im a big fan of the browning bl-22 short throw lever action .22. It wont help your hunting (any .22 is good there), but will be more fun at the range. A mag dump on the bl-22 always leaves me smiling....

 

[Doctor_M]

Most any .22 rifle will do as long as you can accurately shoot it. My daughter shoots a Henry Lever .22. She loves it (and I've resigned myself that it's now hers.) I use a 10/22 and a Marlin 795

Same thing happened to my Henry... it is now my daughter's. That's OK, she loves it and has gotten pretty good with it. They will all be her's one day so the Henry is just the first of many.

 

[Streetgang]

Same thing happened to my Henry... it is now my daughter's. That's OK, she loves it and has gotten pretty good with it. They will all be her's one day so the Henry is just the first of many.

I'm the same. I'll officially turn mine over when I get my Henry Big Boy

 

[Bisleyfan44]

You won't go wrong with any of the suggestions. I lean towards the 10/22 because it is cheap, reliable, durable, accurate, and there's an endless aftermarket that caters to it when/if you want to add stuff. Have an old Mossberg .22 bolt here that is scary accurate with factory irons too, but in the end I lean towards a shotgun for rabbits.

 

[YouWillShootYourEyeOutKid]

10/22 is the best 22lr

 

[Kiwiknoll]

Ruger makes a 10/22 takedown model too if you like the portability of a satchel gun. The run around $330.

 

[YouWillShootYourEyeOutKid]

and as you can see they are all head shots so its a tack driver.