Which gun for squirrel hunting? Never hunted squirrel before.

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I've killed the most with a 20 gauge, but I also hunt them with a .410 and various .22s. My dad can embarrass me with a single shot .22 so I have to say as long as you are good with your weapon your good to go. Anything much over .22mag is going to be overkill more than likely. Ask me about the rabbit I shot with a .308.
 
I use a .22lr (Ruger 10/22 carbine or my Remington 597) both with bitch'n scopes for squirrel hunting. Squirrel hunting is one of my favorite animals to hunt and they taste good, if they're deboned and cooked right. I also use a .22 Ruger piston - KMKIII, stainless, 4.5 inch barrel and Crimson Trace Laser. The squirrel doesn't know what hit him! As for ammo, I like the CCI Stinger (hyper velocity, 32 grains). On the rare occasion, I've used Remingon's Subsonics, but I prefer CCI. They get the job done, no questions asked.

As for using a shotgun, like a 410. That's not my cup of tea. You've got shot in your game that may need removed if it penetrated the the squirrel's pelt. Real pain in the butt. But some folks like using the old shotgun for squirrel and everyone has their own prerogative. Happy Hunting and have fun!
 
I squirrel hunt all the time - with dogs and have been doing it all my life. I use a .22, but a shotgun is more efficient at actually killing them, as you will have some that will see you and run through the treetops.

A funny story... In some areas around where I live, opening day of squirrel season is a big deal... Some years ago, I was traveling with a friend and we planned to stay at his parents house on our trip - which happened to be on opening day. He told me to bring a gun, and go squirrel hunting with them, so I did - I brought a ruger 10/22 with iron sights.

When we got to his parent's place the night before opening day, about a dozen people were there spending the night to get up and hunt in the morning. They live out in the sticks, and went hunting out in some big woods behind the pasture.

I had never met these people, and when it came out that I had brought a .22, at least half of them offered to loan me a shotgun for the next morning. I told them I thought I would be OK, and they kept insisting on it, like I was some misguided and underprivileged person. I stuck to my .22 and the next morning was the only person to get my limit. They were duly impressed.

Like one of the posters above, I use a CZ452 with iron sights now, and the 10/22 is retired.
 
Once the leaves thin out and the squeakers are easier to see, the 22 pistol is the best game in town.
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Hmmm, I don't understand why some of youens would use a .22 pistol over a .22 rifle? Is it for the sheer challenge of it?
 
For me, a pistol is easier to tote around, and with the ones I have I'm not really giving up any accuracy. Truth be told, probably 90% of my squirrel hunting has been done with a Marlin Model 15 single shot 22 rifle. But after a few 100K rounds it don't shoot quite like it used to.
 
Varmit shots

Where I live Mr. Grey has so many relatives some not too healthy, but its the Burbs. I have an AirHawk that spits a .177 wad cutter out fast enough to go clean through but I need to be very careful in taking any shots. Head shots are usually instantly lethal, but not always available. So, my question is: If limited to a side shot where should I put the cross hairs. I don't want the critter crawling off into my neighbors yard which is what happened the last time I put one center mass from about 12 yards. How about from the front? Under the chin?

KKKKFL
 
For me, a pistol is easier to tote around, and with the ones I have I'm not really giving up any accuracy. Truth be told, probably 90% of my squirrel hunting has been done with a Marlin Model 15 single shot 22 rifle. But after a few 100K rounds it don't shoot quite like it used to.
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Yeah, my 10" Contender .22 match barrel is more accurate than all my rifles or at least AS accurate. My Remingtons will shoot one hole groups all day at 25 and half inch at 50. I got a 5 shot half inch 100 yard group out of my 597 magnum the other day, but it's a little much for squirrels.

I just got this Ruger Mk2 with the scope. I've yet to hunt anything, but paper squirrels with it, but it shoots 1" at 50 with about anything, plenty accurate, and neat thing, it's spot on at 50 and 25, peaks somewhere in between, so there's no hold over out to 50 yards. I've been shooting a LOT of paper squirrels lately with it.:D Thing is fun!
 
If ATFE weren't so sniffy, I'd put a buttstock on my Colt Woodsman. I worked up a design and made a cardboard mockup, but when I contacted them, they wanted more than I paid for the gun to license it.
 
ROTFLMAO !!!!! :D:D:D:D:D


I just knew sooner or later someone here would recommend the 30-ought-silly !!!!


Vern - you are Totally UnReconstructed !!!!!


ROTFLMAO !!!!! :D:D:D:D:D




Correct answer to the OP's question is 20ga., Modified choke, #5s.


:cool:
 
.410's are not so hot unless you are planning on waiting for a very close shot. Plus, if you need a follow up shot and the little bugger runs to the top of the tree you are out of luck. I shoot mine with a .17 mach 2. Accurate, but a little messy.
 
I'm guessing that the extra mass of a .22 over the .17 is the difference. Since starting my erradication program I've looked closely at each victim. The entry and exit wounds are nearly identicalm and I've yet to find one that was not completly hole shot. Most shots are taken within 12 yards, and even trigger jerked the POI is within the size of a Quarter. I practice with a business card that has a spot the size of a dime at the bottom of a fence post. Head shots and they drop like a stone, but a body shot that is too far behind the forepaw, and I have a runner. Should I put it just below the shoulder for a lung shot?

KKKKFL
 
.22 Cal. Long Rifle ---- Anschutz 1416D.

Head shots if available, but a shot to the ribs is just as effective and does not waste any of the edible meat. :D

Don
 
Not so with the rib cage... I've seen the first shot go clean through the ribs, only to have a runner. When I've gotten the second shot into the bean, they drop like a stone, but that presumes the victim ran up further into the tree. Just last week, I struck one behind the forearm and the stinker made a 7 foot leap over to the neighbor's 8 foot privacy fence. Although he wobbled and fell to the top rail a couple times, I could not get a follow-up. I think this is the drawback to high velocity (+1780fps) .177 pellets, even the wad cutters I'm using. That's why I asked for the lethal zone other than a head shot.

KKKKFL
 
The 410 with full choke might be fun. You don't have to worry about your backstop as much either. I'd use #6 pellets.
 
35-40 yds is tree top height. I really prefer to use a 22, but depending on the situation, the backstop issue becomes critical at times.

I used to bow hunt and I often had shotgun pellets raining down on me from an adjoing ridge. You get used to it. :)

But when a squirrrel hunter comes stalking up within your field of view, it is definitely time to "cough". No use having one of them pull up and throw some lead at you when they can't see ya at closer range. That would hurt.
 
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