Revolvers for Small Game

Ruger single six with either a 5.5” or 6” barrel. I have a High Standard that I use for the same purpose, as well as just fun plinking. It’s a double action, but I always shoot it as a single action because I prefer single actions, and the trigger pull is about a mile long if not cocked.

If you get a 327, 32h&r would be a reduced load for squirrel.
I have a Nagant that equates that and it's very low recoil.

I have one of the new 10 shot GP100 .22s and it would be dandy for small game. It makes x- ring hits at 50yds child's play- literally- my kid gets bullseyes at that range with that thing all the time.

Plus its weather resistant and not too heavy thanks to the half lug and slimmed down top strap.

The only downside is they are pricey and hard to find used at this point, but not any worse than a nice K22 or a rimfire Diamondback.

My “serious small game revolver” is a 17HMR Taurus Tracker 6”. Wondrous little revolver. The Raging Hornet 22Hornet is another beautiful implement.

For something more petite, the SP101 22LR and 327mag are a real treat. I’d love a 7” GP100 with a 7 shot 327 FM, especially if it could be milled for Ruger rings like a Redhawk Hunter. Alas, I dream.

WrongHanded said:

Well I had to buy a "qualifying" license, to enter the draw for an Elk tag. So I got a Small Game license, which means (amongst other things), bunnies and squirrel may now be on the menu.

However, as I do appreciate a wheel gun, I'm interested in hunting with one. The obvious choice being a .22LR, and my preferred brand being Ruger. But I'm wondering (as I reload), if perhaps I could use a downloaded .327 Fed Mag. I do have a slight preference for single actions, but I suppose an SP101 would be more compact. Whatever revolver would also be welcome as a low(er) recoil training firearm, which makes a single action all the more appealing.

Suggestions and thoughts on guns, calibers and barrel lengths are welcome.

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I've taken a few grouse with a Colt Police Positive in 32-20. No meat damage. I aim for just below the head and the projectile takes the head off or nearly off. 90 grn bullet is capable up to hares...well heck old timers used to shoot deer with it.

Problem is no new guns in that caliber and factory ammo is rare on the shelf. But it's what I have.

I recently acquired a single 7 in .327 I believe I heard the term "lipsey's special? " it wears the Xs sights and black micarta grips from the factory, factory ammo is not in high supply in my area, but my turret press is taking care of that for me, we did run a few 85 gr factory load .32 h&r and they were fun. With the high front post xs sight, the 85 gr pills are shooting low, but straight, obviously I adjusted the sights accordingly, but I predict that full tilt 100 gr pills will be closer to where I'd prefer to see the zero at. I'm really pushing the 85 gr xtps hard right now. I ran a water bottle test at 30 yds today and believe that for a rabbit or larger they'd be fine, gonna slow em down with titegroup later on and see how that looks. I would NOT run this on squirrels, there is plenty of data, I'd probably try the 77 gr cast loads or a very slow 100 gr load......maybe the Buffalo bore 130 or 115gold dots could work for lighter game. I don't get many squirrels around here but I've popped a few and based on those experiences, I'd lean hard on the 77 idea. For more flexibility in sights I'd also caution that while i enjoy quick acquisition with the xs sights, I'd really recommend the more traditional style that sits on my Blackhawk. However, like the blackhawk, a scope CAN be mounted on the single 7.
Eta, I meant to mention the 8 Rd blackhawk available in .327 .

I generally prefer .22 mag for any rimfire hunting. I think this could work in lieu of a downloaded .327.

Cheap and powerful on small game. Easy to find guns for as long as they are Ruger Single Sixes. S&W and Taurus both produce DA revolvers as well. The Taurus Tracker is pretty decent and one of the few Tauri I would own.

I have one of the single six revolvers with .22 and .22mag cylinders that would work.

My mark II is more accurate though.

I carry a SP101 4.2" in 327 when I hunt. Normally load 32 S&W long or 32 H&R. I find it more accurate in my hands than any 22 handgun I've shot but that could have more to do with buying cheap 22 ammo and reloading my centerfires. Once I actually get some game I'll let you know how effective it is but I can't imagine why 22 would be adequate while the 32s would not.

The ultimate small game revolver is the ruger single six .22lr/.22mag hunter edition.
Accepts ruger rings
Shoots anything from cb to. .22mag.
Available on gunbroker from $550 and up.
No squirrel or rabbit would be safe.(or groundhog, skunk, prairie dog, coyote.........)

How long is big game season? Will you be hunting big game during that season? If that is too big of a hassle I'd be looking for a revolver in 22 hornet or 22 TCM or something like that if anyone makes one. From what I've heard the 32-20 was used for small game for ages and so I'd feel safe saying a 32 cal bullet wouldn't inheritantly be too much for small game.

For only a month I'd just switch to a shotgun or 22 but only because I already have those on hand. If you do hunt with it report back, I'd like to hear how it works in the hands of a more competent hunter than I.

Pick the revolver that you shoot the best regardless of caliber. Just aim for the head.

I never meant to indicate the .22 Mag was superior to a .32. More along the lines of there are more available guns and ammunition and you would not be giving up much in terms of power.

I think the OP has a few reasons to go with the .327 Magnum. Now, which revolver to choose? SP, Single Seven, Blackhawk, other?

Ruger Bearcat is good for grouse and rabbit if they hold still for a few seconds.

I have hunted with my 9” single six and have taken deer and coyote with a couple different 357s. If your only purpose is rabbit or smaller then a single six is absolutely your best bet. Even up to small coyote sized critters a single six with the mag cylinder will do what you need. I would not hesitate to use a .327 or 32 mag single action if I already owned one but I would not buy one specifically for the purpose.

I don't think .32 would be too large. I hunt small game with a Remington 1858 replica in .44 and even that doesn't do much meat damage. I usually aim for the thorax area since I don't use rib meat and it just goes clean through.

If you hit a leg bone or lower spine it could cause some damage with bone shrapnel going everywhere but that doesn't happen to me a whole lot.

32H&R and 327 FM aren’t too large for small game.

BUT....

I do sometimes appreciate being required to shoot factory ammo. On a lazy Sunday when it suddenly occurs to me, “hey, let’s go shoot some rabbits!” - it can be very disappointing to then realized, “ah damn, I don’t have any ammo loaded for that...” instead, it can be nice to just pick a box off of the shelf, or drive into town and pick up a box and be ready to go. Less concern with scavenging brass in the grass, more focus upon the simple enjoyment of moving my feet through nature and enjoying time hunting.

I thought long and hard about my 17 WSM rifle and 17 HMR pistol for that reason - I have other small game revolvers and small game rifles, and for even money, I could get more out of the centerfire counterparts - but then I would make myself reload for them.

I’ve all but given up reloading for my “hunting only” firearms which are chambered in common cartridges. I HAVE to reload so much else that I shoot, sometimes it’s nice to not need to reload, and using a rimfire is a good excuse, since it can’t be reloaded (logically and sensibly, at least).

Armored farmer said:

The ultimate small game revolver is the ruger single six .22lr/.22mag hunter edition.
Accepts ruger rings
Shoots anything from cb to. .22mag.
Available on gunbroker from $550 and up.
No squirrel or rabbit would be safe.(or groundhog, skunk, prairie dog, coyote.........)

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That's my vote, but mine is plain-jane no scope
BUT I think you'd need to be right on top of a 'yote to hit it where it counts with such.
If a person wants to download a .32 Mag or .327 sure it would work as would a .32 ACP...., or even factory loads, but that's a bit pricey compared to a hot .22LR or a .22 WMR, isn't it?

LD