Shotguns for squirrel hunting

[Khristopher23]

Hello everyone. This is my first post in my first chat room.I was just wondering if you guys thought a 12ga with something like #6 shot ruin too much meat on squirrels? I never have hunted very much, but have taken one or two with a .22lr.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

It depends on the time of year for me. A 12 ga with a full choke is what I use, normally with #7.5 shot, but when they moved the season to Sept 1 instead of Oct 1, I found the trees had too many leaves to get the #7.5's to the squirrels at the very top..., so I use #6 or even #5 when going through lots of leaves.

LD

 

[Khristopher23]

Thanks LD. Just finished reading an article that recommended going to a larger shot size such as #5 or even #4. I was leaning towards buying a .22mag or a 17hmr just for squirrels, but due to the results of the recent election, my gun buying plans are all jumbled up.

 

[Shawnee]

A 20ga. with #5s works fine. #4s work well too.

 

[highorder]

20ga #6 here.

I would use the 12 if it wasn't so heavy by comparison.

 

[cat9x]

3" .410

 

[TAB]

I would go with 4s or 5s less shot to pick out of the meat.

 

[BigBuckMaster]

i use a .22. when my family needed meat, i got out the old M67 .22 single shot and would bag a few tree rats or a rabbit. but now i have as son and when he aint using a .22, its a 16 ga with #6.

 

[LopezEL]

Use a .22 unless all your shots are up in the air. Shotgun doesn't leave much meat left over. .22 gives you a nice clean kill but always keep in mind that a .22 bullet travels a good distance if you miss. Be sure of your backstop.

 

[arcticap]

There's hardly any meat damage using a .410 with 3 inch #6's. And it's a lot easier to hit a moving squirrel with it than with a .22 lr too.
It's effective beyond 40 yards and grays can be brought down with even a single #6 shot to the head, although hitting them with only a single #6 shot is not usually the norm.

 

[janobles14]

12 ga. with #6 since i was old enough to shoot it. always has done the job. modified or full choke.

 

[mikle76]

#6 has worked quite well for me over the years and the only ruined meat was when I shoot one that is a little to close. A #6 pellet doesn't exactly rip a fist size hole in anything!

 

[Dave McCracken]

6s and Full choke work for me....

 

[Bigdtc]

16ga with #6. Works every time!

 

[Khristopher23]

Thanks everyone. I primarily will use my .22lr until I break down and get a .22mag or .17hmr, but I was just wondering about using my 870 as an alternate choice.

 

[BluegrassDan]

It depends on where you're hunting. If you're in the mountains with tall trees and long shots, then a 12 ga might be the ticket. However, if you're in flat land with "regular" forest than a 20 ga will be perfect. A 12 ga is a lot of gun to carry for squirrels.

My dad has an old single shot 16 ga Winchester Model 370 that's absolutely PERFECT for squirrels. Nothing better.

#5 shot is what I suggest. Make sure you use lead shot. Steel shot doesn't penetrate their tough skin as well. Always use full choke when possible.

 

[ishredinmysleep]

my 20 guage tears up squirrels to bad shoot em in the head with a .22

 

[bang_bang]

I've always liked my .410 Mossberg 500E. I use 6 shot, but haven't been in a long time. My 22 Mag loves making head shots on some big fox squirrels too.

12 gauge...yeah, it can be done. But a bruise for a couple of squirrels isn't worth it.

 

[farmrboy]

Any shotgun with #5 or #6 mod. or full choke works for me. I also use .22 hollowpoints. If you want something a little more stout, a 17mach2 would be a good choice too along w/ 22mag or 17HMR. The mach2 ammo is quite a bit cheaper. My wife's uncle is good out to 250 yds with his 17mach2. He's challenged me with my 17HMR. I'm still deciding...

 

[atblis]

7.5s are too small. I had problems with killing squirrels cleanly with them. Stepped up to 6s and no longer had that problem. Personally, I will take 5s if given the choice, but end up with 6s most of the time as they are more common. 4s also work pretty good.

Full choke, and try to clip them in the head.

 

[Ty7940]

The best size in my opinion is 6 but if you have a .410 or .22 then ue that instead.

 

[dagger dog]

You fellas that shoot scatterguns.

Do you try for head shots, do you pattern your smokepole and see where it likes to put the majority of the shot ?

I know it's hard to make a head shot on those little buggers while they're running through the tree tops. But you can make head shots on the ones you ambush. A shot load placed right will keep most of it out of the edible meat.

It saves a lot of spitting lead at the supper table


6's in 1 oz 12 ga loadings are just about minimum, 20 ga shooters can go to 7/8 oz.loadings, 5's are great, but they are hard to find in low brass loadings, at the local marts.

 

[gbran]

Thanks everyone. I primarily will use my .22lr until I break down and get a .22mag or .17hmr, but I was just wondering about using my 870 as an alternate choice.

Most of my squirrel hunting is with rimfires, though I have used shotties. My weapon of choice is the 17m2 because of accuracy, trajectory and greater range than the 22lr. At shorter ranges it does more damage to the meat, but not too bad. Because of its accuracy, head shots are easier, assuming you use good glass.

The 22mag and the 17hmr just plain destroy the little critters.

 

[frogomatic]

my favorite gun for tree rats is the savage O/U in .22lr/.410

 

[ds92]

I'd opt for a double somewhere...a .22lr o/u .410 or 20 gauge. that would be my first pick if i was buying a squirrel rifle