gopher slayer, unless they have SERIOUSLY remodeled the Ranch Rifle, I have yet to see one that has anywhere near decent accuracy for any other application besides plinking. They are fun guns, neat to play with and I have never seen one jam, but once the target gets past 50yds, I can't help but grab something else if I intend on hitting my target.

Now this is from only the three I have seen and put my hands on, if someone else has different experiences with these rifles, I might be willing to retract this statement.

Take a look at a 6.5x55 Swedish mouser. You can get them real cheep, they are extremely accurate and good for anything from varments to deer. Only downside is that you really need to be reloading to take advantage of the wide range of bullets available.

firstshot

.223 would be my choice.

GO CANADA

go with the 17 hmr they are very acurate as long as theres not alot of wind. but if you live somwhere you get alot of wind dont bother you would be wasting your money, the jet steam of a fly will move this bullet. but the hornedy Balistic tip bullets are devistating on soft body targets. the cci hollow points give alot more penitration. the .17 dosnt drop nearly as much as the 22 mag at 100 yards

The handi rifles are a great choice for the money, plus you can always buy another barrel later in a diffrent caliber if you want to try something new. I prefer the 22-250 over the 223 for groundhogs but they are all good flat, cheap shooters. Goodluck

Dave

I would buy the 240 weatherby mag, it's one of the fastest, flattest, and acurate shooting guns out there. Mark5 action and heavybarreled