Choosing the correct ammunition will keep your hunts legal and make you more successful on your adventures. Read on to discover which cartridges are the most popular for hunting each species!
(Note: Always check local and state hunting regulations before choosing a hunting cartridge, as some jurisdictions prohibit certain cartridges for taking various game.)
Small Game Hunting Calibers
Small Game Hunting Caliber by Species
| Species | Minimum Caliber | Recommended Caliber | Heavy Option |
|---|---|---|---|
| Squirrel, Rabbit, Nutria | .177 cal air gun | .22 LR | 12 Gauge |
| Raccoon, Possum | .22 LR | .22 WMR | .223 Rem |
| Prairie Dog, Groundhog | .22 LR (close range); .223 Rem (long range) | .22 WMR (close range); .22-250 Rem, .204 Ruger (long range) | .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield |
| Bobcat | .22 LR; .17 HMR | .223 Rem; .22-250 Rem | .243 Win |
| Coyote | .17 HMR (close range); .223 Rem (long range) | .22-250 Rem, .204 Ruger | .308 Win, .30-06 Springfield |
Squirrel Hunting Calibers
The vast majority of American hunters choose .22 LR for squirrel hunting. It’s inexpensive, low-recoiling, easily available, and chambered in the widest variety of firearms. It’s also potent enough to drop any squirrel within a reasonable range, regardless of shot placement, but not so powerful that it destroys a lot of meat.
Other rimfire cartridges are also commonly used for squirrel hunting. The most popular among them are:
- .177 Pellet
- .17 Hornady Mach 2 (HM2)
- .17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (HMR)
- .22 Long Rifle (LR)
- .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR)
| Caliber | Description |
|---|---|
| .177 Pellet | As a kid, I ran around with a BB gun until upgrading to a .177 air rifle. Air pellets are great because they destroy less meat and are nearly silent. Take care that they are more affected by wind, and have a shorter effective range compared to other rifle cartridges. |
| .17 HM2 | Designed for varmint hunting, the .17 Hornady Mach 2 is accurate and flat-shooting, with virtually no recoil. It ballistically outperforms the .22 LR and is often better for hunting small game in populated areas. |
| .17 HMR | My introduction to the .17 HMR was squirrel and rabbit hunting. I was shocked at the tiny projectile’s effectiveness (up to 200 yards), but it also ruined more meat than the .22LR we used. |
| .22 LR | The .22 LR has caused more nightmares for squirrels than any other cartridge. It’s my top choice for squirrel hunting because it’s cheap, accurate, and effective out to about 75 yards. For reliable performance, many hunters choose CCI Mini Mag 22LR for its consistent feeding and accuracy. (.22 LR aficionados can stretch it to 100 yards.) |
| .22 WMR | The .22 WMR has a flatter trajectory and more range than the .22 LR. It can be used on some medium-sized game, but it will damage more meat and is more expensive to fire. |
Shotguns are another fine choice for squirrel hunting. Common choices include:
While gauge is important, shot size is the most critical consideration when shotgun hunting. I prefer #6 or #7.5 lead shot for squirrel hunting, but #5, #8 and #9 are also effective under the correct circumstances. Lead shot is most popular owing to its low cost and relatively high density, although many public lands require hunters to use nontoxic (i.e. steel, tungsten or bismuth) alternatives.
Common squirrel hunting shot sizes include:
- #9
- #8
- #7.5
- #7
- #6
- #5
Rabbit Hunting Calibers
Rabbit hunters most frequently favor the .22 LR for rabbit hunting, for all the same reasons that squirrel hunters choose it. If you’re hunting over long range or unconcerned about pelt and meat damage, then you can move up to something more powerful than rimfire.
Common rabbit hunting cartridges include:
| Caliber | Description |
|---|---|
| .17 HMR | The .17 HMR is effective out to 200 yards on rabbits and is very accurate. However, it can damage the meat of cottontail rabbits because they’re smaller. |
| .22 LR | The .22 LR has likely harvested more rabbits than all other cartridges combined in the last 100 years. However, because of the trajectory, accuracy tends to decline at 75 yards. |
| .22 WMR | The .22 WMR is more powerful than the .22 LR, so it has a flatter trajectory (out to 100 yards). It has the same caliber bullet, but it’s also more expensive. |
| .22 Hornet | The .22 Hornet fires a high-velocity 35 to 45 grain bullet. It has largely fallen out of favor during recent decades, and will be very difficult to find for sale. |
| .204 Ruger | The .204 Ruger is an incredibly high-velocity, flat-shooting round. It is best for long-range shots (150-400 yards). It’s also much more expensive than .22 LR, so if you plan to shoot a lot, this probably isn’t the cartridge for you. |
| .223 Remington | The .223 Rem offers lightweight bullets at high velocities, but it’s sure to damage lots of meat on cottontail rabbits. It’s best reserved for jackrabbits and long shots. |
I often opt for a shotgun while hunting rabbit within 50 yards. Any gauge is effective in the hands of a competent marksman. I grew up using a .410 Bore and 20 Gauge, though I currently prefer a 12 Gauge for its denser pattern and (usually) farther effective range.
Shot size is of greater importance than gauge. The best shot sizes for rabbit hunting include:
- #7.5
- #7
- #6 Shot
Continue reading The Ultimate Hunting Caliber Chart: Quickly Choose the Best Cartridge for Each Species on Ammo.com