chevyforlife21
Member
rifle or shotty?
what do you use for squirrels
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wankerjake
Member
Usually my Ruger 10/22. Occaisionally the Marlin 22mag. But the 10/22 has bagged many a tree rat
CH47gunner
Member
Don't shoot/hunt tree squirrels, my nickname is "Squirrel" given to me by my fellow motorcycle riders, a long time ago.
But I shoot the heck out of ground-squirrels & gophers.
I use a .17HMR for the flatter trajectory and range.
Bruce
But I shoot the heck out of ground-squirrels & gophers.
I use a .17HMR for the flatter trajectory and range.
Bruce
kdstrick
Member
22 if you want a meal... head shot.
gdcpony
Member
I promised to use only my bow this year. I usually get more with it during deer season anyway.
I laid down the .22 and both of my girls are using .410's this year.
We are going to see who gets more.
I laid down the .22 and both of my girls are using .410's this year.
We are going to see who gets more.
kd7nqb
Member
We get some pretty massive squirrels out west here so I dont like anything less than my Mosin M44.
However I would love to take a squirrel with my Ruger Mark II
However I would love to take a squirrel with my Ruger Mark II
KaceCoyote
Member
CZ kadet pistola
Mr.510
Member
12 gauge for TREE RATS!
I confess, I'm the guy that voted "12 gauge".
Actually, that really is what I use on tree rats.... I mean squirrels. They are a major problem at our place and have chewed through the siding and soffets of two of our buildings and made themselves at home. I bait rat traps with peanut butter and put them in places only squirrels can get to. Any that aren't caught in the traps get shot out of the trees with #8 squirrel & chipmunk (dove & quail) out of a 28" full choke Winchester 1200. I'm not going to fire any bullet up into a tree (god only knows where it'll come down!) so I use the shotgun for safety reasons. If there were a good backstop I'm sure it would be a lot of fun to drill the little bastards outta the trees with my 10/22. I don't have time to hunt them on the ground where a rifle could be used. This is serious pest control for me so I use the quickest, safest way available. FWIW: In '08 my traps got 11, the shotgun took 7, and 3 were shot inside my shop building with an air rifle. We had an extra gnarly winter and I've only seen two this year - the traps got 'em both.
I confess, I'm the guy that voted "12 gauge".
Actually, that really is what I use on tree rats.... I mean squirrels. They are a major problem at our place and have chewed through the siding and soffets of two of our buildings and made themselves at home. I bait rat traps with peanut butter and put them in places only squirrels can get to. Any that aren't caught in the traps get shot out of the trees with #8 squirrel & chipmunk (dove & quail) out of a 28" full choke Winchester 1200. I'm not going to fire any bullet up into a tree (god only knows where it'll come down!) so I use the shotgun for safety reasons. If there were a good backstop I'm sure it would be a lot of fun to drill the little bastards outta the trees with my 10/22. I don't have time to hunt them on the ground where a rifle could be used. This is serious pest control for me so I use the quickest, safest way available. FWIW: In '08 my traps got 11, the shotgun took 7, and 3 were shot inside my shop building with an air rifle. We had an extra gnarly winter and I've only seen two this year - the traps got 'em both.
hexidismal
Member
I like squirrels. I tend to feed them, not shoot them. If you're planning on eating them, or if they are causing damage to your property then by all means, but I don't really see the justification in just gunning down living creatures for fun. If I was hungry enough .. I'd use a .22lr. As Mr510 said though, NEVER shooting upwards into the trees. I voted for bolt .22 , simply because it's probably something I'd use my Savage for since it wears the best optics of my .22s, but any .22 would do really.
Probie9
Member
Winchester Model 74. .22 Short, quiet and effective.
Pistol Toter
Member
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- Jan 10, 2005
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- 657
Don't hunt anymore as I can't get around. I voted .22 bolt and bagged my share of squirrels with a Marlin .22 singleshot bolt. I also use to be murder on them with a .22 Benjamin pump air rifle. If they got away from me; they deserved to. I eat a lot of squirrel and rabbit for lunch at work. GOOD EAT"EN!!!!
TOTC
Member
Mine's not on the list. A GE XM214, we have HUGE squirrels and LOTS of them.
In all seriousness a Ruger 10/22.
In all seriousness a Ruger 10/22.
CajunBass
Member
How about "all of the above." I've got about a dozen 22 rifles, another half dozen or so 22 pistols (all 22 LR). At one time or another I've probably at least HUNTED squirrels with all of them. That's not to say I've killed any with them, but I have hunted with them (especially the pistols).
I've also killed more than a few with a shotgun (12 and 20). As a matter of fact I may carry a shotgun in a couple of days when the season opens. The leaves are still pretty thick this time of year.
I've also killed more than a few with a shotgun (12 and 20). As a matter of fact I may carry a shotgun in a couple of days when the season opens. The leaves are still pretty thick this time of year.
Suicide*Ride
Member
I had big tree rats living in the tops of 80' pine trees, so I used a 12ga, loaded w/ #6-rabbit & squirrel rds. That was until the wife put up some bird feeders...
.... from then on, it was like going to a shooting gallery @ the state fair!
I used a sweet little Marlin Papoose w/a 4x Bushnell scope, & while sitting 30ft from the feeders, could gut them using a RNHP. Either way of bagging them, I'd skin & cook them for my dogs as a treat, for barking when they [squirrels] found they're way into the yard.
Excluding SD, I don't believe in killing something unless it's going to be eaten.
SR
.... from then on, it was like going to a shooting gallery @ the state fair! I used a sweet little Marlin Papoose w/a 4x Bushnell scope, & while sitting 30ft from the feeders, could gut them using a RNHP. Either way of bagging them, I'd skin & cook them for my dogs as a treat, for barking when they [squirrels] found they're way into the yard.
Excluding SD, I don't believe in killing something unless it's going to be eaten.
SR
DHJenkins
Member
Truck tire.
7X57chilmau
Member
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2008
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- 687
Diana (RWS) Model 34 break barrel in .177.
No trouble.
J
No trouble.
J
bang_bang
Member
My old Western Auto Supply (Revelation) single shot .22 lr. I can make head shots on rabbits and squirrels all day from over 50 yards away.
I'm sure few will believe me when I tell them I use a .22 pistol and I have shot over 50 since the 1st of the year. All I shoot are red squirrels as they are not protected and the pistol is a .22 Contender with a 21" barrel and a 9X scope. The distance is about 40' and I use Aguilla Colibri's. I'll bet in the last 10 years I have shot several hundred reds but they just keep showing up at the bird feeders, year after year.
eatont9999
Member
I would love to shoot the tree rats in my house with a .22! I live in a pretty tight area of town, so shooting is strictly prohibited. I may be able to get away with a pellet gun though. I will have to stake the little rat out some day and make him sorry.
MCgunner
Member
Long ago, I determined that shotguns were cheating and my bolt Remington was best. Then, as I aged, I determined that rifles were cheating and started using a Contender with a .22 match barrel and LER scope. I've used iron sight .22 pistols, too, but my newest squirrel gettin' toy is a Ruger Mk II with a 2x LER scope. The thing groups 1" at 50 yards from the bench, not as good as the Contender, but good 'nuf.
I use shotguns for birds and rabbits. .22s for anything that ain't movin' too fast. Actually, if I have enough time to get on the rabbit (rare in heavy cover), I can shoot 'em with a .22. But, shotguns are better for that. Last rabbit I shot was with a .410 contender barrel, though. I guess I just like handguns.
I've killed some with a .22 Benjamin when I was a kid, but I prefer pistols. And, if you ain't eatin' them "pests", you sure are wasting a good meal! I was raised on squirrel meat.
I use shotguns for birds and rabbits. .22s for anything that ain't movin' too fast. Actually, if I have enough time to get on the rabbit (rare in heavy cover), I can shoot 'em with a .22. But, shotguns are better for that. Last rabbit I shot was with a .410 contender barrel, though. I guess I just like handguns.
I've killed some with a .22 Benjamin when I was a kid, but I prefer pistols. And, if you ain't eatin' them "pests", you sure are wasting a good meal! I was raised on squirrel meat.
I have three guns I use for squirrels:
Norinco JW-15 w/ 1.5x4.5 Air rifle scope.
I shoot squirrels at fairly close range, usually with me sitting at the base of their tree. The Norinco, which is a copy of a CZ452, is very accurate and the air rifle scope has an AO so I can place shots accurately at close range. I don't need or want a lot of magnification; just makes it harder to find them in the leaves.
Savage 24 22/410 w/ 2.5 scope
One of the problems with squirrel hunting is getting a shot with the tree trunk to back up the rifle shot. I won't shoot into the air with a rifle. That bullet is going to come down someplace. So when the occasion arises, I use the 410 barrel instead.
Savage Model 23C in 32-20
Because of the problem mentioned above I've been experimenting with using a #0 buckshot as a bullet. We shall see if I can get the required accuracy.
Norinco JW-15 w/ 1.5x4.5 Air rifle scope.
I shoot squirrels at fairly close range, usually with me sitting at the base of their tree. The Norinco, which is a copy of a CZ452, is very accurate and the air rifle scope has an AO so I can place shots accurately at close range. I don't need or want a lot of magnification; just makes it harder to find them in the leaves.
Savage 24 22/410 w/ 2.5 scope
One of the problems with squirrel hunting is getting a shot with the tree trunk to back up the rifle shot. I won't shoot into the air with a rifle. That bullet is going to come down someplace. So when the occasion arises, I use the 410 barrel instead.
Savage Model 23C in 32-20
Because of the problem mentioned above I've been experimenting with using a #0 buckshot as a bullet. We shall see if I can get the required accuracy.
P.B.Walsh
Member
If I could it would be a bolt .22lr for sure.
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