Shooting targets of different sizes makes for a good shooter, but the ultimate challenge is the small game hunt. I’m blessed with all kinds of small game critters in Louisiana, and some not so small. Due to some strange laws the 22 Long Rifle and the 22 magnum are used for Wild Hogs and Alligators. We have plenty of Squirrel and Rabbits, while Raccoons, Possums, Armadillos and Coyotes show up in the varmit class.
Winchester has come out with two good Hunting rounds. The Super X, High Speed Power Point (hollow point) at 1280 fps, and the Hyper Velocity Hollow point at 1435 fps and both are a full 40 grains.
This week I will be going squirrel hunting in a real Louisiana remote swamp with lots of squirrels and lots of hogs. Most people wont go there, that’s why I do. I have taken hogs with a 22 long rifle before and do not hesitate if I can get a clean shot.
A Henry Lever Action 22 will accurately shoot any brand you run through it so you have a multitude of variations to choose from, my ammo tests already proved that. The first Spring Season Squirrel showed up and it was a big male Fox Squirrel. I wanted the head shot but he turned quartering away and I shot at the heart. There was a few bits of corn that flew up in the air but other wise no movement at all from the squirrel. I called that shot perfect but you never know. I watched for a moment thinking I missed, but there wasn’t even a twitch.
That’s what I want in a small game round in addition there was no meat loss at all. The Henry platform, any model, is now my go to small game rifle. Back in the swamp you need a fast repeating rifle, that is accurate. There is no real threat from a squirrel but a wild hog may charge you unprovoked and it may take a few shots to stop it. I know when I crank the lever on a Henry it will work every time, that goes for the Big Henrys too…Pass it on.