[Ctaylor101]

What kond of rifle is best for all around hunting use?

[trip286]

All around? The .30-06 is an accurate cartridge in the right rifle and will take any game in North America. And its not considered real overkill for any except the smallest game animals.

[Georgiahunter]

A .308 or .30-06 can take every game in NA, but are kind of harsh on squirrels and such. Recently we had a thread just like this, and many in the past. Do a quick search and you'll find a wide variety of answers on recent threads about this subject. (Why don't you introduce yourself in the intro. section.)

[Ctaylor101]

Ok, sorry about the missing intro...

[Georgiahunter]

Originally Posted by Ctaylor101

Ok, sorry about the missing intro...

It's fine, I did too.

[bkt]

Originally Posted by Ctaylor101

What kond of rifle is best for all around hunting use?

That depends on what you're hunting. A .22 will probably get you more food than a .30-06 unless the only critter around you is really big. If you're looking at larger game in North America, like others said, a .308 or .30-06 is good.

A 12ga shotgun is probably the most versatile hunting gun out there, though.

[Ctaylor101]

Wont a shotgun just destroy the kill though? As I heard that yiu have to take all thr pellets out and that is a real pain...

[JTJ]

In a survival situation, you may not want to make a lot of noise with a high powered rifle. Some bears have learned to go to the gun shot and steal game. You can be sure that other predators will do the same. With careful hunting, a 22lr with standard velocity rounds will be the quietest without a suppressor. For a heavier choice look at a rifle or handgun in .357 mag but using 38spl with heavy bullets. The old 38spl 200 grn loads were pretty effective. You could still load up if necessary. You could use a 6" barreled revolver or single shot pistol like a Thompson Contender. A 10" scoped TC in .357 using sub sonic rounds would be a good set up and not get in the way of your defensive rifle. A 6" barrel with a suppressor would be even better. You could have a 2nd barrel in 22lr. I have a single shot rifle in .357. I have given some thought to cutting the barrel to 16.5" and having it threaded for a suppressor. With heavy bullets at subsonic speed, it would be a good and quiet game getter.

[bkt]

Originally Posted by Ctaylor101

Wont a shotgun just destroy the kill though? As I heard that yiu have to take all thr pellets out and that is a real pain...

Like I said, it depends on what you're hunting. You can use slugs to get deer and shot to get fowl. No, it isn't particularly difficult to clean birds taken with shot.

A shotgun is terrible for squirrels and other small game. But for them, you'd want a .22 anyway.

So, what are you planning on hunting? Knowing that would give us a better idea how to help you.

[Ctaylor101]

I am looking at deer and some birds also not much else...