What gun and caliber should be used for rabbit and squirrel?

A .22 caliber rifle or handgun, or a 20 gauge or 12 gauge shotgun firing #6 or #7-1/2 shot are what is most popular hunting those 2 animals.What gun and caliber should be used for rabbit and squirrel?
Depends on the shooter's preference and terrain. Generally speaking you can use just about any rifle or shotgun to hunt squirrel or rabbit (assuming your state/province/shire's game laws allow it). For practical purposes, you should avoid high-power rifles. So for squirrels and rabbits the choices typically are the .17 mach 2, the .17 HMR (this is going to make a mess of the squirrel, but...), the .22 S/L/LR, the .22 WMR (again this is going to make a mess of a squirrel), and a shotgun (in any gauge) firing shot in a reasonable size (#4-#8 shot). Additionally in some states/provinces/shire's you can also use high-power air-rifles in .177 or larger caliber.What gun and caliber should be used for rabbit and squirrel?
The .22 long rifle is the overall best choice for small game like rabbits and squirrels. You'll get plenty of power for a lethal kill if the shot is placed well and they can be quite accurate out to 150 yards or so.





For squirrel, especially gray squirrel, a very popular gun is the 410 shotgun. They aren't overkill and will get the job done on close shots just fine.





Oh ya, be sure to buy hollow points if you decide to use the .22 long rifle. The solid point will work but the hollow point bullets are better for hunting.



.22 LR or the .177. The .177 is my personal favorite.


I like the .177 because you usually have to scope it and it doesn't destroy as much flesh.


The .22 LR is great for short distances but don't use a hollow point or you will destroy good meat.


The best weapon I have (believe it or not) is my female Husky 'Tara'. She has hit the brush and decapitated a rabbit in less than 2 seconds and brings the body to me. She killed her first squirrel when she was 8 weeks old.


Seriously, the .177 is the best round unless you have a Husky!
Shotguns work well, but I much rather hunt rabbit and squirrel with my Ruger 10/22. Other 22LR's or17HMR or 22WMR from Savage Arms,Marlin or other like gun makers will do the job fine as well.





You could use higher caliber rifles like a 22-250 or 30-06, but there wont be much or anything left of the animal with those calibers. Just loads of fun to shoot.
Squirrel- never use anything over a .22 and make sure you shoot the head. Don't use a shotgun or you'll be picking out shot for an hour. I speak from experience.





Rabbits- Use a shotgun; either .410, 20 gauge, or 12 gauge. You need shot shotgun because you shoot them when the run and you need the spread.






.22 LR rifle, or handgun. I'd recommend a Marlin Model 39, or Model 60, or a Ruger 10/22 for rifles, or a Ruger Single-Six or Smith %26amp; Wesson Model 617 for a good revolver.





Another good option would be a 12 or 20 gauge shotgun. Most any shotgun with Modified or Full choke should do the job.





Doc
A Ruger 10/22 rifle is a good choice....


http://www.ruger-firearms.com/Firearms/F鈥?/a>





Some folks suggest the 20 Gauge shotgun.... One of those can ruin the rabbit meat and pelt.... If your just varmint hunting then a 20 gauge would be fine.... I happen to be a fan of the Mossberg 500....





Mossberg 500 20 gauge # 50136.... Take a look!


http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_鈥?/a>
I use a .22 rifle for rabbit and squirrel hunting. I have a small 9.00 scope mounted on top and it does the job when hunting. Also if you look around you can find a .22 rifle for pretty reasonable prices.
If you want to keep/eat what you are shooting at (squirrel or rabbit) then use a .22. If you plan to blast it to smithereens then use a .223
What I've always used, the tried-n-true .22 LR rimfire. I own both the Remington and Browning semi-auto .22s.





H



i use a .22 for squirrels and a 16 ga. for rabbits...dont hunt much for bunnies any more , the missus wont eat 'em and the kids are grown...
for a rabbit a shotgun a 20 gauge is good enough and a 22. cal is good for the squirrel!
.22 or even a pellet gun


20ga. with 6shot or 410


Put a sandwich under a box and catch em
depends on the legal factors in your area..


I use a .36 cal black powder rifle. but that is me.
shot gun or .22 or a bb gun
.22 cal
I reccomend a bazooka but you know, The Sniper will do. You can even use the needler from halo, thatel' realy rack up some rabbits
.40 desert eagle.lol