Sheridan

Already been said; but a 410 Bore and 22LR O/U rig would be really sweet.

hunt91

not to sound like a jerk but i cant believe that you are expecting to find a shot gun, much less a half way decent one, for under 150. expect to spend at least 300-400 for a cheap start up cost. a shot gun, cheep and used, is gunna run you at least 200 and probably closer to 250. you will need to practice before you pursue your game so expect another 30 for clays, shells, and paper targets to pattern your gun. then your going to need camo cloths so thats another 30-40 minimum. and there are going to be a lot of unseen costs too such as extra choke tubes. while hunting is fun and rewarding, it has become a very commercialized sport.

Alpine_Archer

don't buy into all that marketing . you don't need all the extras. if your looking for a quality shotgun with interchangable chokes go for a mossberg 500a and you'll be set. for around $250 you can get one new.

Ruddyduck

It's a personal choice and what kind of hunting to enjoy. If hunting squirell only I use a 22lr. with a 3x9 scope. What kind of 22lr doen't matter as long as it is accurate. I take shots up to 50 yards and don't waste any meat and take only a head shot.
If hunting grouse or other upland birds and the occassional squirell presents a shot it will be either the shotgun or a 22lr revolver I carry depending on the shot opportunity.

HoytMT2332

Unless your shooting at running or moving targets, I'd go for the .22. I think hunting with a shotgun for squirrels and the like is alot more fun with a .22. Plus shotguns put the squirrels away longer than a .22 does. I myself use a Benjamin 392 air rifle. If i miss sometimes i get another shot...

Backwoods7

I'd get either a herrington&richardson or new England arms (same company) 20 gauge to start they're around $115 new and work great. There just a single shot but that'll train you to not rush your shot. I use a 870 12 ga and a savage 16 ga as my hunting shotguns but my wife has a H&R 20 and is perfect for beginners. Either 22 would be fine I've used both my 22 now is a OLD Remington 552 speedmaster with a cheap 3x9 bushnell on it and it works great bought it used for $75. Don't just ignore used there often as good as new but cheaper. But I say go shotgun

Alpine_Archer

Here's my very first gun my grandad got me when i was 11 or 12.NEF 20 guage. Last year I put a ATI extendable stock on it becuase I've grown quite A bit over the years lol. The gun was originaly $75 and the stock and everythign set me back $65. I've killed hundreds of squirrls a few hogs and rabbits along the way and maybe a few ducks. I carry it mostly in the swamp when I'll be wandering around in the muck all day. Very light and easy to shoot.

Switchback_XT

why no air rifle option? Adult Air rifles are very powerful. some of them are every bit as power full as rim fire's or shotguns.
They are cheaper than a rim fire rifles and are quieter most of the time. Some times I get several shots at squirrels in the hunting woods.
SO for the early season I grew up on a 20" barreled single shot rimfire. I would shoot shorts at squirrels and it would be really quiet. I could get several squirrels from the same tree.
In those days you could get any kind of 22 rifle to handle shorts. but it would handle shorts only. Now you can only get LR unless you get a bolt gun and feed it one short at a time, its sad.
Now the Air rifles serve in their stead. Check them out, You wont be disappointed.

shoot'emdead

Thanks again guys! Switch back, Air rifle would be alright if I could hunt with them in Florida, but it's illegal to hunt with 'em!

rlpsystems

Just go get a 12 gauge and be done with it. Either a Mossberg or Remington. Or Charles Daly. Hit a pawn shop. There's gotta be allota guns for sale. Actually got a Ithaca 12 dbl barrell for 180.00 back in 1992. Still use it to ward off borders. But at your point in hunting a 12 gauge will allow you to hunt it all.