Firearms - Shooting Animals 
Firearms - Shooting Animals 
© 1995 E. Michael Smith



Animals: 

Little: 

This is small stuff like squirrels and rabbits.  Your best choice is a .22 LR (Long Rifle) rimfire rifle.  Get a semi-auto only if you have the discipline to not waste ammo shooting too much.  Otherwise, the single shot or bolt action with a 6 round clip enforces a certain inherent 'fire dicipline'.  Make SURE you have a decent scope on it of about 4 to 8 power and it is sighted in.  The Ruger 10/22 and the Remington bolt are both great guns.

Medium: 

Small deer, coyotes, etc.  Get a .223 Remington bolt action rifle with a very good scope.  You won't be able to carry enough ammo to afford a semi-auto, unless you have extraordinary fire dicipline  (i.e. can resist the urge to fire a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc. shot at that fleeing tail...) 

Big: 

There is nothing even close to the 30-'06 or .308 Winchester (7.62 Nato).  Get one or the other.  Both will down Moose, Bear, and most anything else you might run into.  The .308 is just a slightly shorter version of the 30-'06 and will do just about everything the '06 does with less weight and bulk.  Both are military rounds.  The former being of WWII vintage, and the later being current NATO.  If in doubt, get the '06, since there are more loadings of ammo available than for the .308 Win.  Again, a bolt action with good scope is best. 

Flying: 

Birds are better trapped than shot.  Unless you have a base camp pre-equiped with a case or two of shotgun shells, they are just too heavy and bulky to be worth it.  You'd be better off storing a similar weight of Beans and Rice.  If you just MUST shoot at birds to feel fulfilled, then you want a shotgun.  I'd much prefer that you got a good .22LR for small rodents and head shots on deer and took the odd pot shot at a sitting duck or pigeon with it (since the wasted ammo is much less important with a .22), but if you just HAVE TO DO IT, get a shotgun.  But I told you not too, remember...  

OK, what kind?  There is only one kind to get.  A decent pump shotgun from one of the big makers.  Winchester is my personal favorite.  Followed closely by Remington and Mossberg.  Gauge?  One of two:  12 ga or 20 ga.  Get a 12 gauge if you have lots of space and weight to store ammo.  Get a 20 gauge if you are at all worried about space and weight or are of smaller stature and find the 12 gauge kick to be a bit much.  Stock a good selection of light target/quail loads, heavy duck loads, and buckshot or slugs, depending on what is in your area to shoot. 

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