What is the smallest caliber rifle i should use to hunt anything from squirrels to coyotes to ducks?

For squirrels a 22lr or shotgun.......223 for yotes and a 12 ga shotgun like a Rem 870 supermag. The supermag will be needed if you hunt turkey,geese and ducks at the normal range that these birds are shot at...which is usually 50yds or more.What is the smallest caliber rifle i should use to hunt anything from squirrels to coyotes to ducks?
Barry-





You are talking about two different types of hunting.





Squirrels and Coyotes are easily done with a .223 Remington, (Ruger Mini-14).





The Ducks you cannot hunt with a rifle. In most states you are only allowed to use a Shotgun. For Ducks I normally use a 12 Gauge 2 3/4 In with Turkey Shot, (#7 Shot).





Also there may be further restrictions with the Shotgun also. In some location you are only allowed Bismuth or Steel Shot and cannot use Lead.





Good Luck and Happy Shooting.What is the smallest caliber rifle i should use to hunt anything from squirrels to coyotes to ducks?
Us a 22 long rifle for squirrels, any centerfire rifle you like for coyotes, and a 20 gauge shotgun (or larger) for ducks. It is against federal law to use a rifle for waterfowl. You can use any 22 caliber centerfire, like .222 ans .223 for coyotes. You could even get a .30-06 and use light loads. Then you will have a multipurpose rifle for deer, bear, elk, etc...





Ducks, geese, and turkeys are not usually taken past 50 yards by the way. Responsible and knowledgeable hunters keep their shots within reasonable ranges, which is under 50 yards for most 12 gauge loads.
One typically doesnt hunt ducks with a rifle, you use a shotgun.





A .17 HMR can be used on both squirrel and coyote, but at ranges of about 75 yards for coyote. The squirrel will be almost obliterated, so a .22LR would be much better.





So, basically, you need two rifles and a shotgun, Or, you could buy a .20 ga shotgun, use slugs for coyote and pellets for duck and squirrel. Try a remington 870 express or a mossberg 500. I like the 870 better, and both are around $300.
You can't legally hunt ducks with a rifle. Its prohibited under the 1918 Migratory Birds treaty...





If you want a rifle that can take both squirrels and coyotes, maybe something like a .22WMR or .22 Hornet. Honestly the .22 Hornet would be a better option than the .22WMR since you could handload reduced power rounds for squirrels and hotter for coyotes. You can't do that with a .22WMR.





.22LR can kill coyotes, but its not really powerful enough unless you have perfect shot placement, which means a brain-shot or heart/lung shot at fairly close range (50-yards or so). And with the heart/lung shot they're going to run a fair distance before they die... You're better off using something more powerful than the .22 LR.
.22 mag will work for both squirrels and coyotes - but headshots only on the yotes. Sorry, but while a 22 will kill a sitting duck w/headshot it is illegal.


Remember that a bullet will go a long way, so do not shoot up at the squirrel unless the tree trunk will be a backstop. Be safe.
You'll want a shotgun for ducks. .22lr will work for everything else. When i shoot coyotes with my .22lr i double tap them in the face or shoulder, and use stingers and quikshok. They die quick if you're close enough to aim at the killzones with the .22.
.22 Hornet is a pretty good bet for the first two, but ducks need a shotgun. You could probably use a 20 gauge for all if the range isn't too much. A 12 would be better, though.
Squirrels and ducks I suggest a .410 or 20 gauge shotgun. Coyotes I suggest a .223 or .308W
Well a .22 LR but I'm not sure you call legally shoot ducks with a rifle.





H
Duck hunting with a rifle....Hmmmmmmmm?


Now I never seen a question on here like this before.
22 magnum will take of all of these. It is a 22 with a larger casing. Still a rim fire round.