I don't really chase small game anymore. When I did I used what I had , my first handgun purchased at "coming of age"(21). It was a used Ruger Single Six w/the 9.5" barrel. That gun accounted for several groundhogs, squirrel, a few skunks, a sweet corn raiding raccoon & a large feeder steer (not small game, I know!) Wish I still had that gun.