I need ammo recommendation for squirrel hunting

[Inspectorlee]

I have a slight problem this fall when squirrel season opens. The only gun I own is a Ruger GP100 revolver. I will be using this for squirrel hunting (it's legal in Wisconsin, I double checked the book). But I also intend to eat the squirrels. Obviously, I won't be using any .357 rounds. The question is then, what should I be using?

I know that a .22 rifle is the preferred weapon but in this case, it's not possible. I can't justify the purchase of another gun to my significant other so that's out of the question. Any help in this matter will be greatly appreciated, preferrably before Sept. 13 when the season opens. Thanks everyone.


Inspectorlee

 

[NRA4LIFE]

You could try a lighter .38 special round. That would be significantly less damaging. (BTW, I have slain many a bushytail just north of your location on my granparents old farm near Slinger. The good old days of my youth.)

 

[mtnbkr]

I would use the most accurate, non-expanding load you can find for that gun. It doesn't need much power, but it needs to be accurate. In my G100, any 158grn load is accurate. I'd start with a standard velocity 38spec using 158gr LSWC.

Chris

 

[redneck]

Center punch about 3 of em with some hot .357 loads, preferably loaded with gold dots or something that expands.
Scrape em up and ask the wifey to cook them for ya, and then just let it slip that you could get a nice bolt action .22 romanian training rifle for less than 100 bucks

 

[Sunray]

Head shots with a .38 Special using full wad cutters. Nice quiet load that 's extremely accurate. I would think that spending some time shooting at that small a target will make you deadly accurate on a bullseye course.

 

[repsychler]

You sure you can't talk the SO into another gun? You can get a single shot NEF 20 gauge shotgun at Wal-Mart for 90 bucks. A buddy of mine has had one forever (And I bought one too) and a great many squirrel have fallen to it.

 

[gun-fucious]

dang hard to pistol shoot a bushytail at 40 yards

a second on the romanian target rifle

mine was 69 bucks

 

[submin]

Lee,

After reading your question I became very concerned. I even lost sleep for fear of the inevitable. What worries me is the inexperience that is evident in your post.

Handgun hunting is a fun and challenging sport enjoyed by many hunters across the nation but it is not a good starting point for a young hunter. Inexperience leads to missed shots and in the Milwaukee area; that means trouble. Remember. You are responsible for every shot, regardless of the intended target. A clean miss at a 45 deg. angle will travel a great distance even with a .38 Special loading. Shivers. Shivers. Toss and Turn.

If you are intent on hunting this fall and can’t afford to buy another gun, I recommend you sell the Ruger and buy a good used Ithaca twenty gauge shotgun. Or you might be able to borrow one from a friend. If you don’t have hunting friends, consider joining a hunting or shooting club and get acquainted.

I had to post this in hopes I may sleep tonight.

Good hunting
Doug

 

[r_p_bayly]

go to gunbroker or auction arms and search
Search Terms: "single" AND "shot" AND "12ga"

ANY of these will do
Can't convince her you need to spend $50 ?

 

[ojibweindian]

Go to a local pawn shop and grab yourself a used 12 or 20 gauge. They usually run about $45-50 in my parts.

 

[Al Thompson]

Strongly second the 148 grain wwadcutters. This is actually a better small game killing round than you would expect. Make sure you zero you Ruger with the loads you'll be using.

 

[Moparmike]

I have a friend who hunts squirrels with his dad. They use (so they say, and I believe him) 3.5" mag turkey loads in #8 shot. They point it in the general direction of the squirrel, and take as many as they can with it. I hope no green ever finds out what they are doing, because they take 1/2 the tree with them.

Still, it would be kind of fun, just once.

 

[MacPelto]

Could one possibly 'bark' squirrels with a .357, the way it is done with muzzleloaders?