Time for an extended squirrel hunt!

Which gun to carry for 15+ miles and hunt!

  • Savage MKII (Sporter Barrel)

    Votes: 15 42.9%

  • Winchester 190 (similar to M60)

    Votes: 6 17.1%

  • H&R Sportster (scoped)

    Votes: 1 2.9%

  • Browning Buckmark Pistol

    Votes: 8 22.9%

  • Ruger Charger

    Votes: 3 8.6%

  • Ruger Single-Six

    Votes: 2 5.7%
  • Total voters
    35
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HB

HB

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As soon as school lets out, me and two friends are going on a squirrel hunt in Mark Twain National Forest in southern Missouri. We are basically planning on backpacking for 3 days and 2 nights or so, so we will be covering a good bit of ground. So I need to pick the right gun :D
I have given a decent amount of thought to this because I really don't want to drag a heavy rifle around the Ozarks (if you have never been to Missouri, it is hot AND humid). I have a pretty good stock to choose from:

Winchester 190 (basically a Marlin M60)--- 5lbs
Savage MkII with a sporter barrel --- 5.5lbs
H&R Sportster --- 5.5 lbs with scope
Or could go with 1 of several .22 pistols

The above rifles shoot well enough to kill squirrels out to 45-50 yards easily, but the H&R is the least accurate of the bunch. However, the H&R is also the most compact and easiest to maintain should we get rained on. It can also be "broke" in half and stowed in the pack.
I plan on shooting the Winchester and Savage with open sights just to cut down on weight. The H&R has no sights, so its sporting a Bushnell variable right now. The other option would be to go with a pistol, but my ability to make clean shots past 25 yards without a rest will limit my success. Anybody out there have any experience on extended hunting trips? Ideally a AR-7 would be great, but I have yet to hear about a consistently good run of them.

Also, I am not an "experienced" backpacker, but have gone on a few single nighters. My friend is a very experienced backpacker with good gear, so please don't advise me in that regard. We know the laws and regulations as well obviously. Which gun I choose may just come down to how many squirrels I expect to kill (and eat) :D

Thanks,
HB
 
I would say the Savage. Because it has open sights and I know they are accurate. If u happen to accidentally break the scope with the h&r then u are out of luck. Good luck on your hunt, I need to go hunting soon.
 
for pure shooting with your limitations, i'd go with the savage too.

personally i'd take the buckmark, because i thinking it's handier and less weight...but then i'm not limited to under 25 yards
 
Great place to travel. I hiked the Berryman Trail over there a few years ago. Only three water crossings in 25 miles though...a little rough.
 
Sounds like fun HB!!

I voted for the Winchester; tho I'm not farmiliar with that model, my Dad owns a Marlin 60, and I love it.
 
Anyone who misses their target with a Mark II, need only blame the shootist, not the rifle.
 
At the risk of sounding like a real dumbazz, is squirel season still open in MO???? I know it closed here in NC a couple of months ago, it's breeding season and the young need their mothers......
 
Bailey Boat, dunno about MO but AR has a spring squirrel season in May/June. You can check MO's gov't websites for more accurate info, though.

If you had one, I'd say a Ruger Single Six Hunter, scoped. But in lieu of that, whichever one of those is a lightweight bolt action.

jm
 
If you can and want a new rifle then pickup a Marlin Papoose. Based on the Model 60. Just a little over 3 lbs. Breaks down and can fit in a backpack.
 
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My brother in law has harvested thousands of squirrel in southern Iowa in his life time...Lineville. He has used a simple 1960's cheap marlin/glendfield Semi-Auto rifle with a .22 scope for years.
It is not the gun but the hunter..

Squirrel season opens May 28th each year in Missouri
 
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