What is the best beginners Squirrel, rabbit, and deer hunting gun?
Im 11 and looking to buy my first gun and im looking for something I can hunt squirrel, rabbit, and deer with. what do you think would be a good choice. I live in Ohio so rilfes and shotguns are legal deer hunting. .243?
First things first… You need to check the Ohio DNR hunting regulations again. The only legal tools to hunt deer in Ohio are shotguns, centerfire pistols with barrels more than 5 inches chambered in .357 Magnum and up, muzzle loading rifles, and archery (bows with over 40lb draw weights crossbows with over 75 lb draw weights). Using a center-fire rifle to hunt deer in Ohio is illegal and will get you arrested if you're caught doing it.(1)
As a result of that first item, if you want a gun that can be used to hunt all three species you mentioned in Ohio, you need a shotgun. I'd recommend either a 12 or 20 gauge. I'd avoid a .410 since its considered to be too light for deer and it tends to throw a narrow shot pattern which could hinder hunting rabbits and squirrels. There are .410 deer slugs, but they're light and not nearly as effective as a 12 or 20 gauge deer slug though they will get the job done at close range.
Depending on the amount of money you want to spend you can get a NEF/H&R single shot for under $100 or a Remington/Winchester/Mossberg pump for around $400. The choice of action is up to you. Just make sure you're comfortable with it and that it has a good recoil pad.
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December 22nd, 2008 at 4:13 am
20 gauge is your best bet there would be nothing left of a squirrel or rabbit after a .243 round
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December 22nd, 2008 at 5:01 am
If it has to be a single gun, a 12 gauge, Bird Shot for Squirrels and Rabbits, and Buck shot or slugs for Deer, but I would rather get a high powered rifle (30-30, 30-06, 7mm, etc.) for the deer and a varmint rifle (.22, .22-250, etc.) for the squirrels and the bunnies.
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December 22nd, 2008 at 5:47 am
I would go with a 6mm or a 7mm for the deer hunting and a .22 for the rabbit and squirrel thing
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December 22nd, 2008 at 6:29 am
243 would be good first deer gun,but way too much power for squirell and rabbit. 410 or 20 gauge shot gun would be your best bet.You can shoot slugs for deer and regular bird shot for the rest.
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December 22nd, 2008 at 7:03 am
ya your best bet is a 20 gauge i highly recomend the remington 1100 youth model 20 gauge i have it and i love it (i am 13) it is semi auto 3 shots and very reliable. hope this helps
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December 22nd, 2008 at 7:16 am
I think i might have answered your other Q about the deer rifle, and for deer the .243 is good and great for beginners. If you want a all around gun and dont want to completly destroy your kill then i would go with a youth .410 , since you want to hunt all kinds of game then your ganna want something that can take’em all, with a .410 you can shoot a variety of shells, for deer you have buckshot and rifled slugs, for squirrel, rabbit, and game birds they have bird shot or (low brass shell shot). the .12 gauge and . 20 gauge are good but it moght be a little much on some of your game.And dont let people tell you that a .410 wont kill a deer it can and will!!!!!!
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Experiance
December 22nd, 2008 at 8:05 am
Im 14 and i would definetly say a 20 ga. pump from benelli for an all around gun. Lethal for a deer with slugs, and it wont blow up a squirrel or rabbit. You can also go for birds with it and since it is a pump, get more than one at a time. I also like going for turkey with my benelli.
If you get an average break barrel 20 ga. i would say an over-under.
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December 22nd, 2008 at 8:26 am
Well a 22 for the small animals and a 243 for deer its a good gun
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December 22nd, 2008 at 9:05 am
First things first… You need to check the Ohio DNR hunting regulations again. The only legal tools to hunt deer in Ohio are shotguns, centerfire pistols with barrels more than 5 inches chambered in .357 Magnum and up, muzzle loading rifles, and archery (bows with over 40lb draw weights crossbows with over 75 lb draw weights). Using a center-fire rifle to hunt deer in Ohio is illegal and will get you arrested if you're caught doing it.(1)
As a result of that first item, if you want a gun that can be used to hunt all three species you mentioned in Ohio, you need a shotgun. I'd recommend either a 12 or 20 gauge. I'd avoid a .410 since its considered to be too light for deer and it tends to throw a narrow shot pattern which could hinder hunting rabbits and squirrels. There are .410 deer slugs, but they're light and not nearly as effective as a 12 or 20 gauge deer slug though they will get the job done at close range.
Depending on the amount of money you want to spend you can get a NEF/H&R single shot for under $100 or a Remington/Winchester/Mossberg pump for around $400. The choice of action is up to you. Just make sure you're comfortable with it and that it has a good recoil pad.
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(1) http://www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife/dow/regulations/hunting_deer.aspx#equipment
December 22nd, 2008 at 9:34 am
Get a 22LR for rabbits and squirrels. The 243 is a great deer rifle. Some people will say ‘get a 30-06′ but that is more of a generalist ‘do anything’ cartridge. The 243 is plenty powerful enough for deer. True, the 243 is no elk cartridge the 243 wouldn’t be a good choice for hunting grizzly bear, but for whitetail deer the 243 is great
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December 22nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
i would say a rifle for you because shot guns are hevy and pak more of a punch. A kid like you would probable have a better chance with a rifle too because of the aim.
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December 22nd, 2008 at 10:24 am
i prfer a remington 870 20 or 12 guage that is what i use and love it is the perfect all around gun it is legal for practically evrything
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personal experience
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:09 am
I wouls say a .243 is the best, you can get smaller grain bullets for squirrel and up to 100grain for deer. It would be the best choice for you. Happy Hunting
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hunting 10 years and used a .243 on many sucessful deer kills
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Mossberg .410 for the smaller stuff. It has a low recoil. For deer i suggest 30 – 30 for short distances, 30 – 06 for long distances. A .270 would do fine also
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