Right, that’s another consideration (rat/snake shot leading up the rifling / tougher cleaning needed.)
I think the used inexpensive revolver as you describe would work ok — “snake shots” should be in the under 6 a year range. Or, the Puma 1873 that Rural King presently has on sale would probably be ok, too, and I just have to get within 5 ft. to not have the shot go around the snake’s head. But that’s not going to work for starlings & rodents in most cases. Can’t have everything, I guess.
I wonder if a well used revolver would have some of the rifling worn off? Hmmm...
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I wonder if a well used revolver would have some of the rifling worn off? Hmmm...”
That was my thinking. It’s my observation that these 22 plinkers don’t get much serious cleaning. So, between wear and leading, many are probably for all practical purposes smooth bores. I have an old 22 remington bolt action that I bought when I was about eleven or twelve back in the late 50’s and the gun was old then (I’m old now). It was my constant companion when out and about in the nearby fields and woods. It got shot a lot, no sparrow or turtle was safe. I don’t recall ever having cleaned it. May have but doubt it.