I am wanting to get a handgun to do a little small game huning this up coming season. I am mainly looking for something to take squirrels and rabbits at ranges inside of 50 yds. I have thought about either getting a 10" barrel for my contender in 22 LR or getting a ruger mkII with a 10" barrel. I would put a scope both. Which of these seems like a better option or is there another that I am overlooking?

I have used the Contender with a Burris 2.5x-7x some for a while and it works great. Gotta make that first shot count as most small game doesnt give ya a second!

I have the Mark II standard. It works very well for me, although I use the open sights. I have taken many squirrels, rabits, and hares with it over the years. I don't own a Contender, but friends that do own them tell me they like them. Just pick the one you like the best. Better yet, buy both.

Live well

If this goofy state would allow the use of semi-autos, i would use my S&W 22A for rabbits and the like.

I have a Ruger Stainless Target Mk II. I've lost count of the small beasties that it's vanquished. I really do like it. Mine has a 6.5" bbl, a buddy has one in a 10"bbl and it's much easier to hit with on long shots. They are probably both just as accurate, the longer bbl makes sighting a bit more precise. My wife has a Browning Buckmark and it's more accurate with most brands of 22 ammo. Browing does make their heavy barreled varmit buckmark, doesn't it come with a 14" bbl? I've never shot one, but it does look nice and it comes with a built in scope base. I had a 22match bbl for my contender, but it just wasn't as much fun to shoot.

I like either a .38 Special or a .45 ACP with wadcutter ammo better than the .22 LR. Both chop caliber size holes through them and anchor them on the spot. Any very accurate handgun, with your choice of sights, would be the way to go. E

My personal favorite was a Tulsa Police Department S&W Model 65, which I shot .38 spec. wadcutters out of. They really don't mess up the meat that much and were pure poison on rabbits and squirrels.

I use one of 4 guns for small game now (since I don't NEED to eat them). A Brown Bess carbine, a .36 caliber TC Seneca, a Ruger MK II 10" and a S&W M422 6". Not a scope to be seen on any of these. The Ruger is like using a common open sighted rifle, the S&W shoots like you'd EXPECT the Ruger to, the others work every time but are for a different feel to the hunt. In the .22s I use either Winchester PowerPoints or various LR ammo modified with a Hanned Line SGB Tool to the SGB point.

If I HAD TO HUNT TO EAT (although I now eat what I shoot) I'd use my Contender carbine with scoped .22 LR match barrel and the SGB ammo.

If you have one or the other that you've mentioned they will of course work, the question is which would you have the most fun with?

I have used a 14" 22 LR Contender for small game and I works out good. I had 2-6x32 scope on it. Like Mike said you only have one shot.

Thanks for the help fellas. At least I know I am headed in the right direction. I want to see how the ruger feels before I take the plunge. Thanks again.

I cannot hold a contender steady worth a crap. I have two of them and several barrels, but I can hit better with a revolver. I think it is a question of balance.

Ruger Mk2 bull barrel is the apple of my eye but my GP 100 loaded with a 120LFN pushed by 3 grains of Bullseye in a 38 case is a real crowd pleaser too.
See victims-
http://www.geocities.com/redhawk44p/Fish/smallgame.html

I plan on having a ruger sinle six 32 mag worked over and adjustable sight added by h, bowen. seems ideal to me.

DOC

500grains, I have hunted with a contender for many years and here is a suggestion for holding it steady. I replaced the grip screw with one containing a sling swivel stud. Mine was from SSK, but I think Uncle Mikes or someone now makes them. I then took an adjustable rifle sling (nylon type for pliability) and shorten it up using the slings adjustments. Take one of the sling swivels on the sling and run it through the other sling swivel. Then attach that swivel to the stud. Put the sling around your neck. Adjust the length so that when you are gripping the contender with your right hand, your left hand comes up on the right side of the sling and then grips the contender grip to complete the two hand hold. Adjust the sling length so that when you prop your left elbow on your chest and push forward slightly with your right hand there is some tension on the sling. This tension is just enough to steady everything. I have shot dear at 150 yards using this method. Test it, but I have not encountered any stringing of my shots either. Hope this helps

I have always had good luck on squirrels with my single six. it gets my vote.