I started with a little Ithaca single shot .22 lever action. Man, I killed a lot of coons, foxes and unlucky squirrels, and rabbits with that beat up little gun. My first big investment with my trapline money was a stainless Ruger Single Six, and I just can't imagine that there's a much better trapline gun out there. 'Have strung the steel in way too many years, but think I might start again this fall.
