Time to go to 22 rifle for squirrels
- Thread starter amwdc
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Marlin 39A
CZ 452/453/455 American
Savage MkII
CZ 452/453/455 American
Savage MkII
Rail Driver
Member
I'd go with a Marlin Model 60 (used ~$75-$125) if you want a semi-auto, or pretty much any bolt action .22lr rifle. I've killed more tree rats with a single shot bolt action Winchester Model 67 and CCI CB Shorts than with anything else.
my favorite is my marlin 925m. it a .22 mag bolt action and is much more accurate than i would ever have guessed when purchased it. sub 1" groups at 100 yards are the norm. the only downside is that .22 mag is a bit much for squirrels so i really can only stick to headshots, but thats just an added challenge that makes the hunt all the more fun! 
if you really want to stick to .22 lr, i would suggest a marlin model 60 or a ruger 77/22. the 60 is plenty accurate, im just not a big fan of using a semi auto for squirrel hunting. my father owns a 77/22 that i would not hesitate to take to the woods.
if you really want to stick to .22 lr, i would suggest a marlin model 60 or a ruger 77/22. the 60 is plenty accurate, im just not a big fan of using a semi auto for squirrel hunting. my father owns a 77/22 that i would not hesitate to take to the woods.
Blue68f100
Member
I reload #6 shot in 20 ga most of the time for my dad, and when shooting up. But at times I get to make some 80yrds shots. My Browning ATD is sighted in for 60 yrds, so I have learned how far to adj for the extra range. The first time I shot at that distance my dad asked what I was shooting at. Then I showed him the dead furry tail rat, gray. My favorite bullet is the American Eagle AE 22 38gr HP. It shoots a very nice 5 shot, dime size ragged hole at 25 yrds., and they say auto are not accurate.
MCgunner
Member
I got bored of rifles and went to .22 handgun hunting, myself. My 10/22 is minute of squirrel to 50 yards, but my old Remington 512X shoots rings around it as does my 10" Contender .22 match barrel AND my Ruger Mk 2.
For a small game rifle, the Marlin M60 is accurate and cost effective and out of the box, will out shoot the 10/22. My Remington M597 magnum is 1.5 MOA accurate, but I'd get the .22LR model for squirrels. The magnum is a bit much, will kill squirrel of course, but it's like shooting deer with a 600 NE, except for recoil.
For a small game rifle, the Marlin M60 is accurate and cost effective and out of the box, will out shoot the 10/22. My Remington M597 magnum is 1.5 MOA accurate, but I'd get the .22LR model for squirrels. The magnum is a bit much, will kill squirrel of course, but it's like shooting deer with a 600 NE, except for recoil.
MCgunner
Member
1" at 50 yards accurate....
1 1/2" at 50 yards accurate....
My Remington 512 bolt gun can put 'em in 1.5" at 100 yards on a windless day. But, the 10/22 is a fun plinker. I haven't scoped it because I have scoped rimfires already and wanted an open sighted plinker when I bought it.
1 1/2" at 50 yards accurate....
My Remington 512 bolt gun can put 'em in 1.5" at 100 yards on a windless day. But, the 10/22 is a fun plinker. I haven't scoped it because I have scoped rimfires already and wanted an open sighted plinker when I bought it.
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hardluk1
member
amwdc Pick up a basic bolt rifle .Most any used, new, 50 years old bolt rifle ,just does not matter much so long as the bores in good shape will do. Find the standard or slower ammo for it solid work great for head shoots. CCI has a new " Quiet" ammo. 64db quiet, 40gr bullet and 710fps. Good to go for up to 25 yards. I have 2 savage and a old remington 510 bolt actions that all shoot it well 1" at 25 yards or under. Most "match" grade 1050fps ammo will cut those groups by half at 25 yards or way less. Semi-autos don't shoot the 710fps ammo well or at all. Pick up a scope from wallyworld like from centerpoint and go hunting.
ColtPythonElite
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Another vote for a CZ 452/453/455. They are well made and generally a good bit more accurate than some of the the other more popular suggestions.
thanks for the info guys ,looking at the marlin xt 22 my only gripe is marlin does not make a wood stock version that comes with a scope mounted ,also looked up the 702 plinkster that comes with a scope ,but it doesn't have sling swivels and is a plastic stock,same goes with the 802.also I got the Henry catalog .also have the ruger catalog the set up mcgunner has on his pistol is awesome .
shiftyer1
Member
.22 is a whole lot cheaper for squirrels! I really like the old remingtons, never a malfunction with my first one and never ever saw it cleaned or oiled. grandpa didnt do it so it must not need it. I own Marlin 60s and a 10/22 they work for me and are accurate enough for me. Pulled my tore up model 60 out yesterday and hit a bottle cap a good ways out and hit it first shot. Showed off for the landlord, got I shoulda bought a lottery ticket! have heard very good things about cz, I looking for one myself.
my ruger 10/22 sporter will shoot 1 inch groups at 50 yards all day, to make it more challenging, I break ot my ruger single six w/6-1/2" that shoots 1-1/2" groups at 25yds off sand bags. makes for a pretty good challenge in the woods with no bench or sand bags.
gbran
Member
I guess I'm odd man out here. I have a couple rifles in 17Mach2 Hornady. I parked my 22's years ago after shooting the 17m2.
More expensive that 22lr, cheaper that 17HMR, 22wmr and .410's. Not that destructive and scary accurate. But the main thing I like is the extremely flat trajectory. I can shoot very small objects out to about 115yds with no holdover or scope compensation. With a 100yd zero, it shoots about .7" high at about 55yds.
More expensive that 22lr, cheaper that 17HMR, 22wmr and .410's. Not that destructive and scary accurate. But the main thing I like is the extremely flat trajectory. I can shoot very small objects out to about 115yds with no holdover or scope compensation. With a 100yd zero, it shoots about .7" high at about 55yds.
gbran
Member
17Mach2
Thompson G2, trigger job and Weaver V16
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Marlin 917V
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If I had to go buy a 17m2 today, I'd probably look at the Savage 9317, but I'd have to check to see if they still offered it in 17m2. Most now are 17hmr.
Thompson G2, trigger job and Weaver V16
Marlin 917V
If I had to go buy a 17m2 today, I'd probably look at the Savage 9317, but I'd have to check to see if they still offered it in 17m2. Most now are 17hmr.
Kaptain Five
Member
My setup, a Savage MKII and a Tasco 3-9x40mm has performed well for me, all for less than $150. Some people have told me i wasted my money with the cheap stuff, but so far i haven't had any problems.
(other than losing those tiny little 10rd banana mags
)
(other than losing those tiny little 10rd banana mags
)I have 2 squirrel .22s...a Remington 541S, which is excellent, but hard to find and a bit expensive. I have a Leupold Vari-X III 2.5-8X on it. Once in awhile I take my vintage Remington 67 single shot with open sights which I have had since 1966. It has killed lots of squirrels. I have 2 of the .17 HMRs too, but you asked about .22s. Gave up shooting a .410 at squirrels many years ago, but killed lots of them that way. The most important thing is to have fun and have confidence in whatever you take to the woods.
T.R.
Member
I've had great luck with my Henry levergun in 22LR shooting WINCHESTER hollow tip ammo.
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