45 lc for squirrels?

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45lcrevolver

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Squirrel season is coming up here in Indiana. My question is has anyone tried hunting squirrels from a treestand with a 45 lc slug? It sound like fun and good target practice, maybe. Just courious. I might try it since here in Indiana there is no caliber limit to hunt squirrel. If I am not mistaken you can hunt them with a 50 bmg. While it's not practical it's legal, lol.
 
It would be interesting practice I guess, without a headshot though I can't imagine there will be much squirrel left.
 
I don't like the idea of being in the woods woth folks shooting 22's up in the air, much less a 45lc. Be sure you have a good backstop.
 
I'd be shooting down. I hunt squirrels while scouting deer from my tree stand. I would never shoot a 45 lc up in the air.
 
I guess this wouldn't be any worse than my cousin using a 10 gauge shotgun and 3 1/2 inch magnums for hunting squirrel. Unfortunately, the couple he shot were practically vaporized.
 
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I remember reading books as a kid about how the settlers used their blackpowder rifles to "bark" squirrels by shooting the tree limb just under them in order to not destroy the meat.

I've never tried it.
 
I've decapitated my fair share of squirrels with big guns. it's fun, good practice and definatly a good way to get a rapid humane kill.
 
A big slug moving slowly won't do much ruination, and most of the meat on a squirrel is the back part, anyway.

If you handload, just download below max. After all, the max range of a .45 ACP is about a half-mile when you're actually trying for distance. Shooting on the level or downward, safety is pretty easy.
 
The best squirrel killer is the 22 lr with head shots as there is no meat lost. Of course my grand parents enjoyed the brains and preferred a shot gun which is my second choice. I have used .32 caliber muzzle loaders, but they can destroy a lot of meat even with those 45 grn. round balls. If you are a superb shot with the 45 colt and can actually hit them in the head or neck then go for it. I hunted them with a 1858 remington and 1860 colt before and i had to throw away my kills that day as they were completely destroyed as the balls traveled the length of the bodies on all three and i realized it would be better to use an ideal weapon rather than hope for an ideal shot.
 
I don't eat squirrel it be only for practice and/or fur. Theres nothing like a wall upholstered with squirrel skin. :cool:

I've killed squirrels with a 20 gauge shooty, x-full choke, and with in 10 yards before. Let's just say that there is nothing useful left exept for tail and maybe a hull you can reload!!! Lol :)
 
I live over east of you in ohio I hunt squirrel at times with a H&R 157 30-30 Ackley improved loaded with a hardcast lee 113grain (soupcan) bullet loaded over a little bit of unique they shot one ragged hole at 40 yards are quieter than a high velocity 22 and do less damage
Roy
 
You'd go to jail here if you went shooting small game with a centerfire pistol. Nothing larger than a .22 rimfire or smooth bore non-buckshot load shotgun, and it has to be plugged for 3 rounds.
 
Arkansas.

Don't know if you'd go to jail, but you get fined. Possibly loose your weapon, and get points against your CCW if you have one.
 
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Shot alot of Snowshoe hares with my wife using her 45ACP and me a Blackhawk 45Colt- good times. Very little lost meat, and quick kills!
 
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