Which gun for squirrel hunting? Never hunted squirrel before.

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the naked prophet

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I've hunted deer, but not squirrel. I've got a couple .22 rifles, a .410 with a fixed full choke, and a 20 gauge with imp-cyl, mod, and full chokes.

I assume that if I use the shotguns, I'll use #6 shot. I've got decently accurate .22 plated hollowpoints.

I'm sure I could make it work with either gun, but which is best for hunting squirrel in summer? There's lots of oak trees, and usually lots of underbrush, if that makes a difference
 
IMHO, the .22. Second the .410 if a. -distance of carry of the .22's may be a concern -or- b. marksmanship may still need a bit of practice.
 
You might want to do some experimenting. One time go with a rifle next time with a shotgun. What might work good for you might not be good for the next guy. Myself, I use a Nylon 66 with a scope. I make my own lead flat points with a jig a friend made for me, its a killer on bushy tails.
 
Shotgun vs. rimfire depends on whether you're around people. For my own squirrel hunting I prefer the CZ 452 with open sights and standard lead CCI ammo. It kills good and does not destroy fur or meat. HP's tend to blow them up. I have killed several hundred squirrel with my CZ and unlike handguns they never need followups. I did find the CZ to be light for larger ptarmigan and grouse though.
 
I suggest you use a .22LR because it lends itself to headshots. A shotgun, even a 410, can damage a lot a meat, not to mention picking out shot as you try to enjoy your meal. JMHO. Check various makes of .22LRs in your rifle to see which is most accurate. My choice load is Remington Thunderbolt.
 
I use a .22. Go for head shots to get the most meat and it does make you try a little harder. Tried my .17 HMR but there was not much of anything left.
 
it depends. are you going out to have fun or to kill squirrels? if it is to have fun take a 22 rifle, if to kill squirrels take the 20 guage. In the summer with the leaves on the shotgun helps a lot as it is often difficult to get a good sight picture and oftimes the squirrel will be travelling away from you pretty fast.

also check your regs that it is legal to hunt them in the summer. in most states there is a specific season for them and summer isnt it/
 
I've taken a squirrel or two with .22 handguns.

A .22 rifle with 2X scope will work fine, or open sights if you can use them. I was a squirrel killing machine growing up, with a 20 gauge and #6 or 7 1/2 shot. I'd use a good .22 these days, as picking out shot does get old.

If you are near civilization, only take shots with a .22 that have the trunk of the tree as a backstop. Never take a high shot if the squirrel isn't on the trunk of the tree.

One fun thing, is to load up some CB caps or subsonics in a rifle. Practice until you're reliably taking head shots on paper targets, or shooting the tops of water or soda bottles at 25 meters. Then go have some quiet fun without having to worry about hearing damage, especially with the CBs.

John
 
Turns out, the only place within half an hour of me that allows hunting (I have no land, so I have to hunt on conservation areas) only allows shotguns. So I've patterned the .410 and the 20 gauge. The .410 hits dead on and has a reasonably dense pattern out to 20 yards. The 20 gauge with mod choke has a good pattern out to about 30 yards, but at 20 yards the center of the shot column is about 8 inches to the left. Can't figure out why.
 
I was a squirrel killing machine growing up, with a 20 gauge and ... 7 1/2 shot. I'd use a good .22 these days, as picking out shot does get old.

If you are near civilization, only take shots with a .22 that have the trunk of the tree as a backstop. Never take a high shot if the squirrel isn't on the trunk of the tree.
Click to expand...

Hear this: I do not think I knew that rifles existed until I was about twelve or so. I thought that it was the norm to shoot squirrel and rabbits with a shotgun. Hell, deer for that matter. Then I found a Guns and Ammo magazine at the library. I found out my dad was a fraud. Well, not quite a fraud, but after an accident in a deer drive, he had sold his .308 and apparently vowed to never own a rifle again (I learned about all this when I was about 21 or so.)

Anyway, I still think a 12 ga. or 20 ga. is about right (with 7 1/2's when the leaves are still on (even though you got to look for the shot.) Otherwise, a CZ 452 with irons or a low powered scope is dandy later in the fall.
 
This time of year, when the leaves are thick on the tree, the .410 is the tool for the job. I'd go with 4 shot if you can find it, makes for easier cleaning. Once the leaves thin out and the squeakers are easier to see, the 22 pistol is the best game in town.
 
if you're out in the sticks and can hit what your aiming at, go with the .22,it will be more challenging and more fun.

however, if you're going to be within a mile of a residential area, go with the shotgun, .22 bullets will travel a good distance and still be able to cause damage, better safe than sorry imho

or limit shots to those close to the ground
 
I'd say a .22 rifle, cause I've been hunting squirrel since I was a kid. .22 pistols are great too, I have a Ruger MKMIII stainless, with 4.5 inch barrel and a Crimson Trace Laser. It is so much fun take'n those little dudes down with that pistol!

The .410 is effective, but I don't like pick'n shot out of my meat when I'm skin'n it or eating it for that matter.

I'd say .22 rifle, maybe .22 pistol. The choice is yours...both work great.
 
I'd use a .22 rifle with scope on it. Try for head shots. Be careful of your backstop and have fun!

Shotguns got too easy.
 
Personally, I'd go with the 20 ga, modified choke, 6 shot in the summer/early fall.

In the winter, after the leaves are off, I'd use a .22.
 
When intentionally hunting squirells, I always used a shotgun, and 90% of them I run across are up in a tree, and I'm not real comfortable firing a bullet into the air, not matter how confident I am with the shot, and/or my skills. Thats just me though. I have used a .22, and even bb and pellet guns on them just fine though, when they were "targets of opportunity" on the ground (the bb and pellet guns I used to fire at them into trees, but they arent going to be a risk to anyone if I miss. We are talking older single pump air guns, not some of the newer high powered ones, so)
 
You aren't from St. Louis are you? August A. Busch and Weldon Spring are good conservation areas in the St. Charles area.

HB
 
I've often been over run by squirrels hile on a deer stand. I used to carry a .22 pistol, but a few years back got a Hammon Game Getter. This is a cartridge case with an off-center primer pocket -- which is really a chamber for a .22 nail-setting blank. The projectile is a buckshot.

Mine is in .30-06, and drives a 50+ grain buckshot to about 700 fps, and it hits on the thick top of my dual X crosshairs.
 
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