Squirrels with Irons?

[Panzerschwein]

Well howdy guys. I have a CZ-452 Military Trainer rifle in .22LR on it's way to my dealer as we speak. I bought the gun mainly for recreational target shooting as well as plinking. But, this fall/winter I plan to hit the forest with my buddy and try out squirrel hunting for the very first time. My Paw says that squirrel is good eating, and I can't wait to try hunting and cooking them up as well.

So this gun I got, the CZ-452 Military Trainer, has a set of military-style tangent sights that are adjustable as well as an adjustable front sight. Many claim these are the best iron sights made for a production .22 rifle, saying they are very capable. In addition the gun has a "hogback" style stock which is specifically made for iron sight shooting.

So I bought the gun knowing all this and do not wish at this time to add a scope to the rifle. I enjoy iron sighted shooting the most, but I am wondering if I will be able to hit squirrels with just iron sights? Is a scope needed for this?

Any help from you squirrel hunters on hear would be great. I'd love to use my iron sights for squirrel hunting but if it's not possible or is too difficult, I might break down and have to add some glass to the rifle.

Please let me know all, thanks.

 

[horsey300]

I've had zero misses with iron sights on a 10-22 with squirrel at reasonable distances..........idk how far away you wanna snipe em but my farthest squirrel was about 35 yds.

 

[FL-NC]

Sure, it can be done- people have done it with irons for longer than with glass. I've done it. If you're a decent shot and your rifle is zeroed you can do it too. I think your biggest handicap will be visibility if the trees are leafy. With a 4x scope, you will be able to ID that squirrel hiding in that vegetation easier. Personally, I would use my crack-barrel 20 gauge if I didn't have a scoped 22 and it was leafy.

 

[gspn]

Lots of squirrels have migrated to a cast iron pot due to iron sights. Practice and pick your shots and you'll do fine.

Iron sights around dawn and dusk can disappear (especially in the woods where it gets dark a little earlier) but when there's good light you'll do fine.

Good luck, and post some pics!

 

[brewer12345]

Practice with the rifle first and get an idea of how well you do and what your effective range is. I do some hunting with irons for small game, but as my eyesight continues to get worse I tend to make use of peeps and scopes more. I can usually do 25 yards with irons, but closer to 50 with a scope. Stay inside a comfortable range and have fun. If you struggle with head shots, there is nothing wrong with a bullet through the boiler room.

 

[HB]

Small game hunting is not nearly as popular as it used to be. I'd venture to guess that more squirrels have been killed with irons that with scopes. I've used everything from a Turkey choked H&r 12 gauge to a ruger Blackhawk loaded with 38s. Have yet to hit one with a LCP or my snub tho.

Edit: have got a couple with my compound bow and a 28 gauge musket too. They are my 3rd favorite wild game behind baby deer back strap and dove

Hb

 

[Sniper66]

These days I typically use scoped rifles for squirrels. But, having hunted squirrels for 60 years, I've used everything from a sling shot to a 12 gauge. When I stared college in 1967, I had no guns. The guns I grew up with ended up with other family. So, I went to a pawn shop and bought a Winchester Model 67 single shot .22 for $10, which was all I could afford. I shot dozens of squirrels with it and it still occupies a spot in my gun cabinet. My eyes were better in those days, but nothing else has changed except my choice of weapon. What iron sights will affect the most is how you hunt. You'll pick closer shots. Once in awhile, I take it out for old-times sake. Also take out my single shot 410 just for the fun of it. The other thing that has not changed is the eating; it is still fantastic. Good luck and have fun.

 

[Dr. Sandman]

Just make sure that you don't shoot up with your .22! That bullet is going to land somewhere. Shotgun much better for clearing them out of trees. Iron sights are fine if you practice and use your brain/judgement.

 

[Dr. Sandman]

Just make sure that you don't shoot up with your .22! That bullet is going to land somewhere. Shotgun much better for clearing them out of trees. Iron sights are fine if you practice and use your brain/judgement.

 

[Ranger Roberts]

I prefer iron sights as well. I feel that it is much easier to acquire a target that is close by with irons. You won't have a problem at all.

 

[25-5]

Many years ago I used a Ruger Single Six with much success and many a good meal. Hunting in TN we were covered up with squirrels back then, and had a ball.
Most of my rifle shooting now is with iron sighted milsurps.

 

[north east redneck]

I don't hunt squirrel anymore, but when I did it was with an iron sighted RWS 350 .22 pellet rifle. Never a problem, even hit em running on the ground. Practice, practice and practice some more. You will be fine with iron sights.

 

[ericuda]

Like myself I bet there are more than a few younguns using an iron sighted pellet gun to hunt squirrels. That was long ago for me but a stand by an oak or walnut tree is good for a couple squirrels for the pot. The new 17's and high powered scopes make it easy yes but an iron signt and patience will be fine.

 

[MCgunner]

I have killed many a squirrel out to 50 yards with iron sights, but that was when my eyes focused better. I'm afraid my aging eyes ain't what they used to be. Now days, I about have to use optics.

So, while you CAN, while your eyes are young, enjoy it.

 

[MCgunner]

BTW, more'n one way to skin a squirrel.

 

[buck460XVR]

The gun is most certainly up to the task of taking squirrels with the stock irons. The question is, are you?

 

[Sav .250]

I`d say it`s more about your eye sight .

 

[slickone]

I live in a Subdivision and I have dispatched at least 30 since last year with a Gamo Silent Cat .177 cal rifle. Normal shots up to sixty feet with a Simmons scope set at 4 power.

 

[jmorris]

I have killed far more squirrels with pellet guns than anything else. .22's would be #2, if your hunting them out of trees CB caps will be safer than regular .22's, they have about the same power as an OK air rifle and that's enough for that range.

 

[LoonWulf]

I only got to hunt squirrels a few times at my uncles place near lake tahoe, used a daisy 880 with open sights. Shots were all pretty much strait up, or close to it. I didnt see any real need for a scope, but i would have liked to have had one anyway to make sure there wasnt a branch in the way on some of them depending on the lighting. If given the chance to hunt them again (and having my own equipment available), id most likely take my scoped qb78 repeater airgun.

I do shoot alot of doves out of trees here, and I have the best luck with the scoped gun. My red dot sighted pumper is good as well, at reasonable range. My open sighted pistol on the other hand is fun but not horribly productive, simply because i hit stuff thats in the way.