I have a few 22's but the one that gets the most use is an AMT Lightning 10/22 knockoff of the Ruger 10/22. AMT came out with an all stainless version (not an aluminum receiver like the Ruger's) that came with a folding stock. They quit making them when they got sued for patent infringment. This was before the assault weapons ban and when it was still very unusual to see a militarized looking gun in the woods. The folding stock makes it very convenient to pack and it fits on the ATV without sticking out to snag stuff. It is a surprisingly good shooter and, with its laser sight and banana magazine, it's irresistible to kids that I take shooting.

My other favorite is a Browning Challenger pistol I bought with money my grandfather gave me for graduating high school. Had to use a fake ID because I wasn't old enough. I've hunted squirrels with it back when I had a good dog and killed a LOT of rats with it in the barn.


My grandfather also gave me a little Winchester model 190 that I've killed a bunch of squirrels with. I had my all time personal best with it one time in Cottageville when I shot 13 squirrels out of one tree. They were eating some sort of wild pecan type nut and wouldn't stop even when one of the buddies came bouncing off limbs to the ground.

If I had to give up all my guns but one, I'd probably keep a .22.