Center-fire rifle vs. squirell

[NINJA_SUPREME]

I'm looking for my first gun and I'm probubly going start off getting small game so I can work on my skill. Alot of sources say to get a rimfire rifle but they seem a liitle to wimpy for my taste (also I don't have enough to buy a rimfire for small game they go out and buy a heavy duty rifle for big game), I was just wondering if maybe a low caliber center fire rifle would be suitable for both because I don't want to leave a deer injured to die slowly of blow a squirell into hamburger either. I saw a nice looking and cheap Remington bolt action center-rifle. (check link)

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[andrew cochran]

I would suggest a shotgun. You can hunt small game and use buckshot or slugs to kill deer. The centerfire rifle will defiently blow the squirrel into hambuter and guts.

[Bravo]

Yeah, a shotgun is the best compromise. Shooting a squirrel with a 30-06 will kill it though

I also wouldn't recommend the Remington M710. They feel cheaply made. Some people like them, but I can't recommend one to anyone. This comes from a huge Remington fan.

[redhed]

Shotgun is a good choice. A scoped .22 would work well also if you really want to develop your skill without pulverizing any perspective dinner meat. A 2.5X6 scope would do the trick. I have a 4 power 1960 vintage Bushnell scope on my Savage .22 and it's one of the most accurate rifles that I shoot.

[Asphalt Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Bravo

Yeah, a shotgun is the best compromise. Shooting a squirrel with a 30-06 will kill it though

I also wouldn't recommend the Remington M710. They feel cheaply made. Some people like them, but I can't recommend one to anyone. This comes from a huge Remington fan.

Same opinion here on the 710. I've tuned, or at least tried, two of them and had headaches for my effort. It's got to be something with that press fit barrel, 'cause everything that should have worked didn't. Neither of them would shoot what I consider minute of deer. Since I traded my nephew one of my Mausers for his I'm now stuck with one I can't bring myself to use or sell.

[jimkim]

I would suggest a 12ga. Mossberg 500. You can save up and buy a riffled barrel for it. Then save up and buy a black powder barrel. I believe it is the most versatile gun on the market.

[rondog]

Shotguns are good, but it's hard to beat a good .22 rifle for sheer fun factor. What else can you shoot all day until you're bored for $10? Can't hunt deer with one though, legally. Or morally, for that matter. Great to learn on though, and great fun! I take my grandson shooting, and drag the whole arsenal along, but we have the most fun with the .22's. FWIW. Consider used guns, that usually cuts the cost considerably.

[Sooner Shooter]

If you're going to be shooting up, the centerfire is going to travel a lot farther than a rimfire. In the area I hunt I have to be concerned about a rimfire.

[webs]

You may want to check out the H&R Handi-Rifle.I am not sure if they offer the .22 rimfire, but they did have the .17 Mach 2 which is a good small game caliber.You can also buy an extra barrel and get a choice of many centerfire deer caliber options.H&R Handi-Rifles and barrels are reasonably priced and a whole package including the extra barrel sells for less than many centerfire rifles.They also sell Black Powder barrels for the Handi-Rifle as well.They are single shots but if you don't mind that it might be worth looking into.

[Midas]

Anything but a 710! the 710 is trash, I would recommend a Remington 870, or a Mossberg 500 shotgun, for squirrel hunting.

[tippmann7]

anything that will kill a deer in one shot will probably blow up a squirel, your better of with a shotgun

[andrew cochran]

He said he wanted to hunt deer so the only chice he has is a shotgun or a gun with changable barrels.

[sell33]

headshots on a squirrel might work...but i would sure never try it. Some of those bunnies IrishMurphy shoots with 22-250 still look edible on the headshots....

[sc928porsche]

Would my 110gr in 300 win mag be too much for squirrels?

[AKHunter]

Good suggestions here. I'll echo the Mossberg 500 and Remington 870 recommendations for versatility, reliability and affordability. I suggest you save your nickels for a .22 rimfire in the future if you decide not to get one now. I learned to shoot with a 12ga and a .30-06' at age 12. It wasn't until i was 30 or that I discovered what a great asset a .22 rimfire with a 4x scope is. IMO there is no better cartridge for learning marksmanship skills, plinking and small game harvesting.A bonus is the ammo is CHEAP.

Would my 110gr in 300 win mag be too much for squirrels?

Even if you use it as a club .

[andrew cochran]

Originally Posted by sc928porsche

Would my 110gr in 300 win mag be too much for squirrels?

Nothen's to much, you need missels for them buggers. LOL

[Sooner Shooter]

Originally Posted by sc928porsche

Would my 110gr in 300 win mag be too much for squirrels?

Not at all! And don't forget to have your shoulder next to the tree when you pull the trigger. You won't even feel that follow up shot. A man needs to toughen up during squirrel season. I did that once with a shotgun and that won't happen again!