What is your latest prepping project?

[itsasmallfarm]

looking at survival fire arms, you know something to carry in the bush/end of the world stuff. now am not one of those dreamers who thinks they will live off the land and hunt big game, (there is not enough big game to live off of and every one else and there mom will be after the deer/big game) am more looking at the small game, there are many times over more squirrels, rabbits, beaver, muskrat etc.. then big game.

now am looking between the .22 mag and the .17HMR, as a light rim fire rifle to use on the trap line and hunting small game with. (once i get my fire arms licence) seen videos on both and they both seem like good small game rifles (even saw the .22 mag take down small hogs) so anyone else have any thoughts on these small game rounds? which one would you chose?

 

[Cajun_MikeR]

If you're looking at a total breakdown type situation, then I wouldn't go with a 22Mag or 17HMR or 17Win or anything like that. They are relatively exotic (yes you can find them places, but they're often relatively high priced and not in super huge quantities). I'd stick with a standard .22LR, and here's why...

-you can find it anywhere in large quantities
-it's dirt cheap (relatively, though not as cheap as it used to be)
-a well placed shot has, and will, kill deer and hogs (brain shots or spine shots) as well as all smaller game
-the firearms themselves tend to be less expensive with more parts availability than the rimfire magnums
-a revolver or bolt action rifle in .22LR will also fire .22BB, CB, Short, Long, as well as the LR and LR shotshells. A .22WMR, 17HMR, or 17Win will only fire those cartridges.

The Magnum rimfires do offer more power, but are you going to be shooting at distances of 90yrd or more? If not, you really are in an overkill situation with them. You have to make the decision if the increased cost of operating (higher initial firearm cost, repair parts, and ammunition) is justified in your intended uses.

Now, as a defensive woods gun, I personally wouldn't trust my life to any rimfire cartridge against any potentially aggressive game. If it's all I had, I would use it, assuming I couldn't avoid the situation entirely. My preference for a defensive woods weapon would be a 5-6in barrel pistol 10mm, .357Mag, .44Mag, or .45 variant (LC or Casull) or shotgun in 12ga loaded with slugs and 00 buckshot...especially in bear country.

 

[CapricornFarm]

We have the 22 LR. Husband is very good with it.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

We have the 22 LR. Husband is very good with it.

am getting a .22lr as well, really like the round, have shot a few rifles of them before but not a very good shot at it.

If you're looking at a total breakdown type situation, then I wouldn't go with a 22Mag or 17HMR or 17Win or anything like that. They are relatively exotic (yes you can find them places, but they're often relatively high priced and not in super huge quantities). I'd stick with a standard .22LR, and here's why...

-you can find it anywhere in large quantities
-it's dirt cheap (relatively, though not as cheap as it used to be)
-a well placed shot has, and will, kill deer and hogs (brain shots or spine shots) as well as all smaller game
-the firearms themselves tend to be less expensive with more parts availability than the rimfire magnums
-a revolver or bolt action rifle in .22LR will also fire .22BB, CB, Short, Long, as well as the LR and LR shotshells. A .22WMR, 17HMR, or 17Win will only fire those cartridges.

The Magnum rimfires do offer more power, but are you going to be shooting at distances of 90yrd or more? If not, you really are in an overkill situation with them. You have to make the decision if the increased cost of operating (higher initial firearm cost, repair parts, and ammunition) is justified in your intended uses.

Now, as a defensive woods gun, I personally wouldn't trust my life to any rimfire cartridge against any potentially aggressive game. If it's all I had, I would use it, assuming I couldn't avoid the situation entirely. My preference for a defensive woods weapon would be a 5-6in barrel pistol 10mm, .357Mag, .44Mag, or .45 variant (LC or Casull) or shotgun in 12ga loaded with slugs and 00 buckshot...especially in bear country.

thank you, am getting a 22lr (more for target and the odd rabbit/grouse), was more thinking of a trapping gun, as i have heard that a .22lr has to be very close to get a good clean kill on a beaver. not sure though would have to find out more on that.

next i live in Canada so no handguns for me. (its a long process to get them and then you can only use them at the range) but having that said am stuck to using long arms, and i want a round that has some range but would not make a mess of the pelt.

but thank you for all the info guys (not a real gun expert)

 

[lazy gardener]

Every home should be equipped with at least one gun. And the owner should know how to use it. The right to bear arms is one of our basic constitutional rights. There is a constant battle raging to remove that right from the citizens. State by state, and town by town, those rights are being taken away. Consider this, folks... and consider if it's in your best interests to give up that right, or perhaps ensure that you are so equipped before that right is removed.

 

[Mama Runner]

I like 9mm, because it is easier to get ammo for it in a survival situation. In a worse case scenario, lots and lots of 9mm ammo will be available.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

hoping to get out deer hunting once rifle season opens up here. (going for white tail) to get something for the freezer, i really enjoy deer/venison.

but here is a question for you guys. have you ever eaten bear meat? here in Saskatchewan we have two animals (well 3 really) that we can just go buy a tag for. black bear and white tail deer (also wolf but nobody eats wolf lol), so anybody have any thoughts on eating bear (yes i do know about trichinosis)

 

[lazy gardener]

I had a taste of it years ago. It was shake 'n bake bear! I thought it was pretty good. Enough so, that if someone offered me some bear meat, I'd find room for it in my freezer. I know some guys at church who go bear hunting every year. So, I'm guessing it's worth eating! (I figure it must be good eating if folks aren't giving it away!)

 

[Cajun_MikeR]

I've had bear before and its flavor really depends on what it's been eating. I've had good, overly gamey, and "OK" bear meat. The best way I've had it was in tacos, but then everything is good in tacos!

If you're going for bear, you're going to need something more than a 22LR. You can do it with a bow, but if you're looking at a firearm then I'd look at either a .308W (for rifle) or 12ga (for shotgun, using slugs). Having a 12ga is a good idea anyway, because it can be used on about anything and ammo is everywhere.

 

[itsasmallfarm]

I've had bear before and its flavor really depends on what it's been eating. I've had good, overly gamey, and "OK" bear meat. The best way I've had it was in tacos, but then everything is good in tacos!

If you're going for bear, you're going to need something more than a 22LR. You can do it with a bow, but if you're looking at a firearm then I'd look at either a .308W (for rifle) or 12ga (for shotgun, using slugs). Having a 12ga is a good idea anyway, because it can be used on about anything and ammo is everywhere.

i would either use a 12ga slug or my grandmas 30-30