John W
Small Game-Varmint revolvers and other guns...
Saturday, January 09, 2021, 19:09

Hello Everyone:

After reading some chapters in Al Goerg's work I started to think about handgun hunting for the most commonly available game: small game and varmints.

I was thinking about this when I was out in the field now that all of our deer seasons will be closed until the fall of 2021( I do hope it will be better). As a rule I carry two guns when I am handgunning small game and varmints during the winter months.

Usually on my side is a Ruger Single Six in 22 WRM that Gary did the PPP job on. It turned a mediocre revolver into a serious small game getter. I will confess that it is the ringneck pheasant that has fallen to this gun more than any other game. I have found that Hornady Critical Defense ammo shoots very well out of it.

The main gun that I carry is the TC Contender with one of two barrels.

A 10 inch 22 K Hornet that Gary rechambered for me. It is light and handy as well as a potent round for the size of the gun.

The other barrel is a Super 14 in 22 WRM with a red dot sight on it. I know some hate red dots but for my short range shooting it is fine and dandy. Also it works well for night hunting. Here in good ole Massachusetts the laws allow predator hunting at night but no artificial light. So moonlight and snow cover allow you to an attempt at things like the pesky coyote.

But there are times it would be nice to carry just one gun afield.

Al hunted with some specialty revolvers such as a SW K 22 rechambered to the 22 Harvey K Chuk round . Besides some large game taken he did hunt some small game with that scoped revolver.

Al was ahead of his time in many ways and I can see that with his use of a scoped revolver on small game.

This has me thinking a bit.

What would be a great small game/varmint revolver? Any thoughts?