It was a shotgun,until i bought a 17 hmr!!!I LOVE THAT GUN!!!!!!!Marlin 917v 17HMR with CCI ''TNT'' hp,topped with a Centerpoint 3x9x32.I can blast um at 60 yards now!!!!!!I still like huntin with my 22,12 ga,and my 410,but that 17 is my favorite squirrel gun.