Hand-gunning bushytails

[vincyr]

Bought my first pistol after getting my permit. Got a Ruger mkIII 22/45. After getting it dialed in and figuring out which ammo it likes, I started taking it out after squirrels. Only got 2 so far, but man, what a blast.





I'm hooked. Anybody else like handguns for squirrels?

 

[Double_J]

I used to use an old air pistol for tree rats. It does add quite a bit of challenge to the hunt being both a handgun and an air pistol that looses velocity VERY fast. I never came home without at least 5-6 of them when I went out, even if it took all day to get them. I also went out "trail walking" with my old smith and wesson 22A pistol. I saw a couple of "tree rats" then but they were out of range for a clean shot, and I was scouting for other game at the time. (I did see some HUGE deer scrapings, along with a pretty big coyote track that day so it was not a complete waste of a day)

 

[aarondhgraham]

Not squirrels, just rabbits,,,

Not squirrels, just rabbits,,,
I do a bunny walk every now and then,,,
My friend has a farm he lets me roam around on.

I use a revolver though,,,
It's a 6" Colt Trooper Mk-III in .22 LR.



He has a large pen for his three dogs,,,
I just toss the bunny carcass' over the fence,,,
In a matter of just a few moments there is nothing left.

Sneaking up on a bunny is a challenge,,,
I won't take a shot past 25 yards maximum.

Aarond

.

 

[nickE10mm]

This thread is super awesome… me, myself I use a Ruger Mkiii 2245 with a 5.5 inch barrel for the exact same thing that you're doing… Great fun!!

 

[Field Tester]

Aarond,

That is a beautiful revolver.

 

[Blue68f100]

I used my MKIII with a dot sight one year and was able to hit the tree rats out to 40 yrds. Makes a lot more noise than a rifle though. But I just learned how to call them back. Learning to call them in make it more fun. Most of the time my shots where < 15 yrds.

 

[MCgunner]

Nice. I had to scope mine, old eyes just don't work like they used to. It has taken some game, though, especially since we moved to squirrel/rabbit heaven out here in the woods. I think handgunning squirrel is the MOST fun way, especially when they're out barking or squalling and you can stalk 'em. Great stuff.

 

[cat_IT_guy]

Got a buckmark with a red dot, shot it at the range the other day, 10/10 shots into a 3" circle at 20 yards standing unsupported. I think I might have to give it a try on squirrels this fall, looks like a lot of fun, and certainly more challenging than blasting them with a 12ga.... but the fall is getting away from me (guess a newborn does that to ya), hopefully next week.

 

[Zeke/PA]

I really like my Ruger Old Army for squirrel hunting.
The gun is very accurate and head shots are the norm.