Choosing the best caliber for small game hunting

Small game hunting is a big challenge because you need to pay attention to tiny details and will have less than some seconds to identify a small, fast-moving, elusive prey so a keen eye and fast reflexes are paramount.

But all your effort will be worthless if you don't choose the right ammo. In this regard, it's necessary to properly calibrate the game size and ammunition ratio because a smaller-than-required ammunition will not be effective while a bigger one might destroy your precious prey.

That's why it's important to take some time to analyze what type of gun and ammo we will use in our next hunting raid.

The best caliber for small prey hunting depends on the specific prey you are targeting and the type of environment you will be hunting in.

However, some of the most popular and effective calibers for small prey hunting include:

.22 Long Rifle (LR):
This is a very versatile caliber that can be used to hunt a wide variety of small game, including rabbits, squirrels, prairie dogs, and groundhogs. It is also a good choice for beginners, as it is relatively inexpensive and has low recoil.

.22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire (WMR):v This caliber is more powerful than the .22 LR and is a good choice for hunting larger small game, such as woodchucks and coyotes. It can also be used for varmint hunting at longer ranges.

.17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire (HMR):
This caliber is even more powerful than the .22 WMR and is a good choice for hunting predators such as foxes and coyotes. It is also a good choice for long-range varmint hunting.

.223 Remington:
This is a centerfire caliber that is popular for hunting a variety of small game, including coyotes, prairie dogs, and groundhogs. It is also a good choice for hunting deer at shorter ranges.

.243 Winchester:
This caliber is more powerful than the .223 Remington and is a good choice for hunting larger small game, such as woodchucks and foxes. It is also a good choice for hunting deer and antelope at moderate ranges.

When choosing a caliber for small prey hunting, it is important to consider the following factors:

The size of the prey you are targeting:
Smaller prey, such as rabbits and squirrels, can be hunted with smaller calibers, such as the .22 LR or .22 WMR. Larger prey, such as woodchucks and coyotes, require more powerful calibers, such as the .223 Remington or .243 Winchester.

The type of environment you will be hunting in:
If you are hunting in a densely wooded area, you may want to choose a caliber with a flatter trajectory, such as the .223 Remington or .243 Winchester. This will help you to make more accurate shots at longer ranges. If you are hunting in an open area, such as a prairie, you can choose a caliber with a higher ballistic coefficient, such as the .17 HMR. This will help your bullets to resist wind drift and maintain their velocity at longer ranges.

Your personal preferences:
Some hunters prefer to use rimfire cartridges for small prey hunting, as they are less expensive and quieter than centerfire cartridges. Other hunters prefer to use centerfire cartridges, as they are more powerful and have better accuracy at longer ranges.

Ultimately, the best caliber for small prey hunting is the one that you are most comfortable shooting and that is best suited for the type of prey and hunting environment you will be encountering.

Article developed with the help of Bard AI