Squirrel Curiosity

[Settostun]

What round would you use? I understand 22 but whats your preferred gr etc. or do you just pick up the cheapest stuff your gun will throw down range?

 

[tc54]

go to walmart (or some store that sells a variety of 22 ammo) and buy one box of ammo (50 rounds per box) of one manufacturer (let's say winchester super x, hollow points) and another box of say remington hollow point.

you probably have a scope on your 22. so, take the rifle to wherever you go to practice shooting and shoot your rifle from a good rest. make sure you get it zeroed properly, then shoot a few grops with each brand of ammo you bought. chances are one brand/type will be more accurate than the other.

if your rifle shoots good "squirrel hunting" groups (let's say 1" or less at 50 yards), you are ready for the squirrel woods. if neither of the two brands you bought shoot good in your rifle, go and get a couple more boxes of different brands and shoot some groups.

eventually, you'll find a brand/type that does best in your rifle. that is the brand/type you should use during your squirrel hunting ventures.

good luck

 

[AKElroy]

Since headshots on squirrels are preferred, an HP is not needed IMO. That leaves you free to do as the above post suggest, find the load your gun likes the best. Mine loves Wolf Match 40 gr, so that is what I use. I have great confidence in it.

 

[HHollow]

If the rifle will handle it, I prefer low velocity 22 rounds like the "CB". I understand several manufacturers make these sub-sonic rounds. My lever action winchester 94-22 handles the short CB's very well. The tube magazine holds a boat load of them. Most fun when you are stalking the elusive beast near civilization. The short CB's are so quiet that it make more noise to rack one in the chamber than it does to actually fire off a round.

 

[HOWARD J]

Sometimes when I was deer hunting--one of those pesky rodents would brodcast
my location to every deer in the woods----I would pop the little sucker with my .22 pistol. Mini-mag
One less nut-cracker/////////////////

 

[TNboy]

I don't like solid tips, get hollow points, find what feeds well in your gun, I like lever guns so no issue for me. I use the cheap Federals, they work great on tree rats for me. Heck it's squirrel hunting, not rocket science.

 

[KSCCHTrainer]

I really like the Remington CB Shorts. My old Marlin 81DL bolt gun holds 25 of 'em in the tube and they are so quiet out of that long barrel you can actually hear the firing pin hit the primer. Next sound is the pop when the slug hits the tree rat's head and the final sound is the slight thud when he hits the ground.

Not for semi-auto's, but out of an old bolt gun chambered to take 'em (I've got two, the Marlin 81DL and a Springfield Model 234), they work great.

 

[cottswald]

CCI Subsonic HP, 40 gr
Aguila Subsonic HP, 36 gr

 

[unwise11]

remington subsonic hollowpoint lr's.
they drop em goood. and have good expansion.

 

[Justin Holder]

I love the versatility the 22 magnum offers.

I went woods bumming on turkey day morning and managed to kill 4 squirrels and 2 coons with the trusty magnum.

 

[AStone]

Great thread. Interesting to read this advice.

I'm in. No current experience, so just here to learn.

 

[teetertotter]

I have read, Chuck Hawk article, that CCI Velocitor will shoot a 1 inch group at 100yds using a Marlin 39a. Lapua Speed Ace and Lapua 36 Gr HP with less than 1 inch group using a 39a. I have not tried this ammo as use my Marlin 39a for off hand metalic silhouette competition and must be of High or Standard Velocity. CCI Blazer, HV, produces 1.5 inch group at 100 meters via sandbags. 40 meters - .60 inch group.

My 39a has a Vortex Viper, 6.5-20X44 with varmit/target DOT. I wish I knew someone that squirrel hunts. I should get out and find someone that does and knows where to go. You have to know farmers that will allow you on their property and has lots of woods. Liability these days.

 

[cottswald]

I have read, Chuck Hawk article, that CCI Velocitor will shoot a 1 inch group at 100yds using a Marlin 39a. Lapua Speed Ace and Lapua 36 Gr HP with less than 1 inch group using a 39a. I have not tried this ammo as use my Marlin 39a for off hand metalic silhouette competition and must be of High or Standard Velocity. CCI Blazer, HV, produces 1.5 inch group at 100 meters via sandbags. 40 meters - .60 inch group.

My 39a has a Vortex Viper, 6.5-20X44 with varmit/target DOT. I wish I knew someone that squirrel hunts. I should get out and find someone that does and knows where to go. You have to know farmers that will allow you on their property and has lots of woods. Liability these days.

CCI Velocitor is very accurate and cycles well in my 39a. It's a little loud though for squirrel hunting. I use subsonics. Won't scare the bejeezers out of every squirrel within a 5 acre radius. At most the sound will only stop em to check out whats up, which is ideal for multiple kills.

If you have public hunting grouds in WI, squirrels most likely abound. Look for hard mast trees (oak, hickory, beech, walnut). Also, with the foliage down, it's a good time of year to spot tree nests. They won't be using them this time of year, but it gives you a good idea who's been hangin around.

 

[teetertotter]

Cotts.... Thank you for the subsonic advice as makes sense for a non hunter like me. I will look into your public land suggestion too. I do feed the squirrels in my back yard year round. They love me!

 

[cottswald]

Cotts.... Thank you for the subsonic advice as makes sense for a non hunter like me. I will look into your public land suggestion too. I do feed the squirrels in my back yard year round. They love me!

Not my intention to sidetrack this thread, but here's some good info for ya!

http://www.huntfishcampwisconsin.com/PublicHunting.html
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/wildlife/hunt/seasdate.htm#Squirrels