What format do you prefer for your small game gun: bolt, semi-auto, lever, pump, single shot ?

For me:
1. Bolt action
2. Single Shot

I like bolt or single shot. I tend.to take more time to make that 1st shot count. I would use a marlin 39 if I could find one i could afford. Never had the opportunity to use a pump. With shotguns same principle. I prefer single shots or doubles.

Rimfire: Browning BL22 lever
Shotgun: Mossberg 500 pump

My absolute favorite is my old Marlin M39A. It has a Williams aperture sight and small flat faced gold bead front. It's slim, light, accurate and handles perfectly.

How old are you since you’re using open sights?

59... I don't need glasses yet. Feel fortunate for that. I'm still able to kill them with my S&W K22 or Ruger MK III Hunter open sights handguns.

I grew up shooting rabbits and squirrels with my great grandfathers octagon barreled Rem mod 12. It had cool sights, probably something from Marbles, a rear tang mounted aperture sight and the front could flip from a bead to a bead in a ring. Loved hunting with that rifle. Now days I mostly hunt small game with a .32 muzzleloader.

savage 17 mach2

I use a single shotThompson Center Encore handgun with a 10" .410 barrel. I hunt cottontail with beagles and squirrels with my Black Mouth Cur with it.

I switch between several bolt, semi auto and lever action .22's and .22 mags. depending on what, where and how I'll be hunting. I like them all and can't really say I have a favorite.

My favorite small game rifle is my Marlin 1894 CL in 25-20 WCF. The bullet is bigger and heavier than a 22 so it really knocks those squirrels over well. Velocity is moderate so you don't get any meat damage. It has a fixed power Weaver K2.5.
My heavy barreled CZ 452 in 22 LR is my other favorite. It's incredibly accurate.

My bolt action is a Ruger 77/22 LR. The barrel is smooth, no open sights. It loves Remington Vipers &/or Yellow Jackets. With those rounds it will shoot very flat out to 85 yards.

The single shot is a Stevens Favorite, circa 1917. This gun literally looks fresh out of the box. It is a joy to behold for its age.

First would be my Remington 581 bolt followed by my Henry H001.

ruger 22/45 mod 3 with a bushnell red dot 50 yard head shots on tree rats

+1

Hunted swamp rabbits with beagles as a kid. This was my rabbit rig. My grip was more comfortable than the TC grip.

DF

I like this one for genl use. The pistol goes in my deer hunting pack for coons and squirrels. Same can fits both.

DF

When the shooting is hot and heavy (well populated gopher patch) I will go to my 10/22 with open sights. Extended range I like my savages, 17 HMR AND 22 mag.

CZ .17 HM2


CZ .22 Mag


10/22 (duh!)


Browning .22 Short


.22LR/.410


.22 Mag/20ga

Kimber Hunter 22LR