What Can You Hunt With a 22 Rifle?

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Versatility of the 22 LR
3. Small Game: The Primary Targets
4. Varmint Control and Pest Management
5. The Role of the 22 in Tactical Survival
6. Limitations: What Not to Hunt
7. Selecting the Right Gear
8. Setting Up Your Survival 22
9. The Ethics of Rimfire Hunting
10. Why Every Prepper Needs a 22
11. Summary of Huntable Species with a .22
12. Conclusion
13. FAQ

Introduction

In a world where high-caliber magnums and long-range precision rifles get all the glory, the humble .22 Long Rifle (.22 LR) remains the quiet workhorse of the tactical and survival community. Whether you are a veteran keeping your skills sharp or a prepper building a sustainable food procurement strategy, the rimfire—a type of firearm where the firing pin strikes the rim of the cartridge—is an essential tool. At Crate Club, we focus on gear that earns its place in your kit through utility and reliability, and if you're building from the ground up, start with the Lieutenant tier. This article covers exactly what you can ethically and effectively hunt with this caliber, the gear you need to maximize its potential, and why it belongs in your survival battery. The .22 rifle is the ultimate tool for small game, pest control, and high-volume training.

Quick Answer: A .22 rifle is primarily used for hunting small game like squirrels and rabbits, as well as varmints such as groundhogs and prairie dogs. It is also effective for controlling pests like rats and raccoons, provided you maintain proper shot placement within 100 yards.

The Versatility of the 22 LR

The .22 LR is likely the most common cartridge in the world. It is a rimfire round, meaning the primer compound is spun into the hollow rim of the brass case rather than being a separate cap in the center. This design makes the ammunition cheap to produce and incredibly lightweight. If you want a deeper look at the cartridge's everyday roles, see what a .22 rifle is used for. For a tactician, this means you can carry 500 rounds in a cargo pocket—something impossible with 5.56 or .308 Winchester.

While it lacks the "stopping power" of centerfire rounds, its utility in the field is unmatched for specific tasks. It produces minimal noise and almost zero recoil. This allows for rapid follow-up shots and helps prevent "scope flinch" in newer shooters. In a survival situation, the low acoustic signature of a .22 rifle is a tactical advantage, allowing you to harvest meat without alerting everything within three miles to your position.

Small Game: The Primary Targets

When people ask what they can hunt with a .22 rifle, small game is the most common answer. For a broader breakdown of suitable quarry, check out what you can hunt with a .22 Long Rifle. These are animals typically harvested for meat. The .22 LR is ideal here because it provides enough energy to kill the animal humanely without destroying the meat.

Squirrels

Hunting squirrels is a foundational skill for many woodsmen. They are agile and offer a small target, usually requiring you to shoot into the canopy. If you are still choosing a platform, how to choose a .22 rifle is a good place to start. A .22 rifle with a decent optic allows for "head shots," which preserves all the meat on the legs and back.

Rabbits and Hares

Rabbits are a staple survival food. They are often found in brush piles or at the edge of clearings during dawn and dusk. If you want the broader context behind the caliber's hunting role, what a .22 rifle is good for lines up perfectly with this use case. Because their skin is thin and their bones are fragile, a .22 LR is more than enough to drop them instantly. Using a hollow point—a bullet with a recessed tip designed to expand on impact—ensures a quick kill.

Game Birds (Check Local Laws)

In some jurisdictions, it is legal to take certain upland birds like grouse with a rifle, especially in survival contexts. However, many states require a shotgun for migratory birds. Always check your local regulations before heading out.

Field Note: When hunting small game for food, use "solid" 40-grain bullets if you are confident in your shot placement. They pass through with less tissue damage than hollow points, saving more meat for the pot.

Varmint Control and Pest Management

Beyond food procurement, the .22 rifle is the gold standard for managing land and protecting resources. If you are thinking about a rifle that can do double duty in a worst-case scenario, what a survival rifle is is worth understanding. Varmints are typically animals that are not eaten but are destructive to crops, livestock, or property.

Rats and Mice

In a rural or suburban environment, large rats can become a major sanitation issue. A .22 rifle, especially when loaded with "birdshot" (tiny lead pellets inside a .22 casing) or standard low-velocity rounds, is an effective tool for pest eradication around barns and outbuildings.

Groundhogs and Prairie Dogs

These burrowing rodents can destroy a field or weaken the foundations of a structure. If your goal is to stretch the practical reach of the caliber, a good scope for a .22 rifle makes all the difference. The .22 LR is effective against groundhogs out to about 75 or 100 yards. Beyond that, the bullet's "drop"—the distance it falls due to gravity—becomes difficult to manage without precise holdovers.

Raccoons and Opossums

These animals are frequent raiders of chicken coops and trash bins. They are tougher than squirrels and require precise shot placement in the vitals (heart/lungs) or the head. A .22 rifle is the preferred tool for many farmers for this exact task because it is quiet enough not to wake the neighbors or spook the livestock.

The Role of the 22 in Tactical Survival

From a preparedness perspective, the .22 rifle serves a different role than your primary defensive carbine. It is about sustainability. If you want a more complete packing mindset for the gear that supports this role, the bug out bag packing list is a useful reference. We often discuss the "Rule of Threes" in survival, and food becomes a priority after you have secured air, shelter, and water.

Logistics and Weight An operator carrying a heavy loadout needs to account for every ounce. You can carry a breakdown .22 rifle and 200 rounds of ammunition for less weight than a standard plate carrier setup. This makes it the perfect "kit gun" for a long-term bug-out scenario where you might need to supplement your rations with fresh protein.

Training and Muscle Memory The fundamentals of marksmanship—breath control, trigger squeeze, and sight alignment—are the same whether you are firing a .22 LR or a .300 Win Mag. Because the ammo is cheap, you can fire thousands of rounds a year. This builds the "noodle memory" required to perform under stress. Many professionals use .22 trainers that mimic the weight and feel of their duty rifles.

Low Signature Operations In a sensitive environment, noise is the enemy. A subsonic .22 LR round—which travels slower than the speed of sound (approximately 1,125 feet per second)—fired through a suppressed rifle is incredibly quiet. It sounds like a heavy-duty stapler. This allows you to hunt or clear pests without drawing unnecessary attention to your location.

Key Takeaway: The .22 rifle is a logistics-friendly tool that excels at food procurement and quiet operations, making it a mandatory component of a complete survival battery.

Limitations: What Not to Hunt

It is just as important to know what you cannot hunt with a .22 rifle. Ethics and legality are paramount. If you want a closer look at the deer-hunting debate, can you hunt deer with a .22 Long Rifle? A Comprehensive Exploration covers the issue in detail. Using an underpowered round on a large animal is cruel and results in a lost, wounded animal rather than meat in the freezer.

Big Game (Deer, Elk, Bear)

In almost every US state, it is illegal to hunt big game with a rimfire cartridge. A .22 LR does not have the kinetic energy to penetrate the thick hide, heavy bone, and deep muscle of a deer to reach the vitals reliably. While there are stories of "survivalists" taking deer with a .22, it is a high-risk, low-reward move that often results in the animal suffering for days.

Large Predators

Do not rely on a .22 LR for protection against or hunting of large predators like mountain lions or bears. While a well-placed shot can technically kill almost anything, the "stopping power"—the ability to immediately neutralize a threat—is non-existent with this caliber.

Long-Range Targets

The .22 LR is a "rainbow" cartridge. After 100 yards, the bullet drops significantly. At 200 yards, a standard .22 round can drop over 30 inches. Unless you have mastered your "DOPE" (Data On Previous Engagements), keep your hunting distances within 75 yards for the most humane results.

Selecting the Right Gear

To get the most out of your .22 rifle, you need to pair it with the right accessories. The gear you choose should reflect your mission, whether it is weekend plinking or serious survival prep. If you want to browse optics, tools, and field gear, browse the Gear Shop.

The Rifle

There are three main actions to consider:

1. Semi-Auto: Like the legendary Ruger 10/22. Best for fast follow-up shots and high-volume shooting.
2. Bolt-Action: Generally more accurate and reliable. It can fire any ammo, including ultra-low-power rounds that might not cycle a semi-auto.
3. Lever-Action: Robust and reliable, offering a good balance of speed and mechanical simplicity.

Optics

While iron sights are good for learning, a 3-9x magnification scope is the sweet spot for a .22. It allows you to see the eye of a squirrel at 50 yards. Look for scopes with a "rimfire reticle" that has holdover points for different distances. For those looking for premium glass, our Major tier often features optics and advanced gear that can elevate a standard rifle to a precision tool.

Ammunition Types

• Target/Plinking: Cheap, 40-grain lead round nose. Best for practice.
• Hollow Point: Designed for hunting. The tip expands to create a larger wound channel.
• Subsonic: Slower than sound. Best for suppressed rifles and quiet hunting.
• Hyper-Velocity: Rounds like the CCI Stinger. They travel much faster and flatter but can be less accurate in some barrels.

Bottom line: Choose your rifle action based on your need for speed versus reliability, and always match your ammunition to your specific target.

Setting Up Your Survival 22

If you are building a dedicated survival rifle, follow these steps to ensure it is field-ready. For a look at compact gear that fits the same mindset, Supply Drop - Lieutenant VII is a solid example of practical kit.

Step 1: Zero your rifle. Set your targets at 50 yards. This is the "goldilocks" distance for a .22 LR. It allows you to be point-blank from 25 yards to 60 yards with minimal adjustment.

Step 2: Test multiple ammo brands. Every .22 rifle is "picky." One rifle might shoot 1-inch groups with Winchester ammo and 3-inch groups with Federal. Buy five different boxes and see which one your rifle likes best.

Step 3: Add a sling and a cleaning kit. A rifle without a sling is just a stick you have to carry. A simple two-point sling allows you to use your hands for climbing or glassing with binoculars. Ensure you have a "bore snake" or a compact cleaning kit to keep the action free of carbon buildup. If you need to fill out the rest of that setup, shop the Gear Shop.

Step 4: Practice from field positions. Do not just shoot from a bench. Practice sitting, kneeling, and leaning against trees. This is how you will actually hunt in the woods.

Our Captain tier is a great place for enthusiasts to find the kind of EDC tools and survival essentials that complement a field kit, from high-quality knives to compact medical supplies. Building a kit is about more than just the firearm; it is about the entire ecosystem of gear that keeps you operational.

The Ethics of Rimfire Hunting

As members of the tactical community, we hold ourselves to a higher standard. Just because a .22 is "small" doesn't mean we treat it with less respect.

• Know Your Distance: If the wind is gusting and the target is at 80 yards, don't take the shot if you aren't 100% sure of a clean kill.
• Identify Your Target: Never fire at movement in the brush. In a survival situation, other people may be foraging in the same area.
• Use the Meat: Unless you are doing pure pest control for sanitation, respect the animal by harvesting the protein.

Field Note: Carry a small "game bag" or even a few gallon-sized zip-lock bags in your kit. Once you harvest a squirrel or rabbit, field dress it immediately to cool the meat and keep it from spoiling.

Why Every Prepper Needs a 22

If the grid goes down or supply chains fail, you cannot eat your AR-15. You can, however, use a .22 to provide consistent, small-batch protein for your family without burning through your expensive defensive ammunition. It is the ultimate "homestead" firearm.

The .22 LR is also the perfect "loaner" gun. If you are part of a community or a neighborhood watch, you might have members who are not comfortable with high-recoil firearms. A .22 rifle allows them to contribute to security or food procurement with a tool they can actually manage.

At Crate Club, we believe in being prepared for the long haul. Our General tier offers professional-grade gear used by those on the front lines, while the Lieutenant tier provides the foundational tools you need to start your journey. The .22 rifle fits perfectly into this philosophy—it is a foundational tool that remains useful no matter how advanced your kit becomes. A past Supply Drop - General IX shows how practical gear like filtration, navigation, and EDC tools can complement that same mindset.

Summary of Huntable Species with a .22

To recap, here is a quick checklist of what you can effectively hunt with your .22 rifle:

• Small Game: Squirrels (Gray, Fox, Ground), Rabbits (Cottontail, Jackrabbit), Hares.
• Varmints: Groundhogs (Woodchucks), Prairie Dogs, Marmots.
• Furbearers: Raccoons, Opossums, Skunks, Foxes (within close range).
• Pests: Rats, Starlings, English Sparrows (check local bird laws).
• Invasive Species: Nutria, Iguanas (in specific regions like Florida).

Bottom line: The .22 rifle is a precision instrument for targets under 20 lbs and within 100 yards, providing a quiet and efficient way to manage pests and harvest food.

Conclusion

The .22 rifle is far more than a "beginner's gun." It is a sophisticated tool for the serious tactician, the dedicated prepper, and the professional hunter. It teaches you the value of shot placement over raw power and the importance of logistics in a survival scenario. By understanding the limitations of the caliber and mastering the gear associated with it, you add a layer of versatility to your arsenal that a high-powered rifle simply cannot match. Whether you are clearing pests from your property or foraging for survival, the .22 LR is a caliber that earns its keep every single time you pull the trigger. We are proud to support this community of prepared individuals by delivering the gear that professionals trust. Check out our subscribe page to choose the plan that fits your kit and keep building from there.

FAQ

Is a .22 rifle powerful enough for self-defense?

While a .22 LR can be lethal, it is not recommended as a primary self-defense caliber because it lacks the immediate "stopping power" of centerfire rounds like 9mm or 5.56. In a defensive situation, you want a round that can neutralize a threat quickly, and the .22 is often too small to do that reliably. However, it is better than nothing and can be used effectively if it is the only tool available.

How far can you accurately hunt with a .22?

For most hunters, the effective ethical range of a .22 LR is between 50 and 75 yards. While the bullet can travel much further, the significant drop and loss of energy make it difficult to ensure a humane kill on small game beyond 100 yards. Always spend time at the range to understand your specific rifle's "drop" at different distances.

Can you hunt coyotes with a .22 LR?

A .22 LR can kill a coyote with a perfect head shot at close range, but it is generally considered underpowered for these animals. Coyotes are tough and often require a more powerful round like .223 Remington or .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) for a clean kill. If you must use a .22 LR, keep your shots very close and focus on the vitals.

What is the difference between .22 LR and .22 WMR for hunting?

The .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) is a longer, more powerful cartridge than the .22 LR. It offers a flatter trajectory and more kinetic energy, making it a better choice for larger varmints like coyotes or bobcats out to 125 yards. However, .22 WMR ammunition is significantly more expensive and louder than standard .22 LR.