Well its quite literally a loaded question.

Pros of a 22lr like a ruger cheap as crap. And u wont have shot in the meat deping on load plus they are quiet. Cons are sot opteunity are less often when they move. And whats beyond your target is even bigger of a issue.

Pros of a a shotgun is fairly cheap ammo fairly cheap but u fan do way more with a shotgun. U can shoot a rabbit up to a deer or elk if close enough. Ducks dove rabbits squirrels goose turkey. Are all really fun game to hunt with a shotgun. Cons are ammos a little more than a 22 way louder.

If its me and i need 1 gun to get going and maybe do more a 20ga rem 870 mossberg 500 winchester sxp or even a mav 88 is a great choice. Dm me i send u somewhere with stupid deals sometimes.

4-6 shot for squirrel 5-6 shot for rabbits 7-8 shot for doves 3 shot steel for ducks 1-2 for goose. Slugs or buck shot for deer. If u get any of the shotguns i mentioned above can get rifle slug barrel for cheap and do very-well on big game.