Whats your vote for...

Left-Hander · August 15, 2005, 02:01 PM

The best squirrel gun? Would it be a rimfire rifle, or a shotgun, or mayde one of those combo rifle/shotguns?

Quickdraw Limpsalot · August 15, 2005, 02:17 PM

I usually reach for my none-too-pretty Ruger 10/22 w/ a low powered cheapie Simmons scope. Ol' reliable.

Clayfish · August 15, 2005, 03:50 PM

yup, .22. Your not spitting out #7 pellets at dinner.

arthurrh · August 15, 2005, 05:37 PM

I love my .17 HMR for that. Flat shooting and fun.

Big Yac · August 15, 2005, 07:07 PM

I loved my 5mm magnum for squirrels until I found out a few years ago that ammo was very rare and expensive for it. Now it just stays in the safe and the remaining 300 rounds dont get shot

butch50 · August 15, 2005, 07:59 PM

410 shotgun. You don't have to worry about sending a bullet into the next county.

impact · August 15, 2005, 08:31 PM

I have to agree with butch on that one. Plus it's much easier to hit a moving squirrel with a 410.

I vote for 410 because one of my buddies said "a 410 is the best darn squirrel rifle you can get"

Edward429451 · August 15, 2005, 08:48 PM

22.

Butch/Impact....tsk tsk. You guys are cheating I hope you know.

butch50 · August 15, 2005, 09:07 PM

Edward429451

I was raised up in cattle country, and we were taught very strict backstop rules for hunting with rifles. We weren't so much concened with hitting a human in the next county as someones cow.

I have hunted many a squirrel into the stew pot with a .22, but have hunted a zillion times more into the stew pot with a 410. With the .22 you have to have a shot that puts the bullet into a solid piece of the tree, which is an unnecessary pita if you are hungry for squirrel stew.

I will put it this way. The .22 is my preferred "hunting squirrels for sport" choice because then I am not actually concerned if I get one or not, and they are more fun to shoot that way.

The 410 though is my preferred "hunting squirrels for food" choice because it is, A: a safer choice and B: Will greatly improve the odds of eating squirrel that night. Although I have noticed that 410 shells have gotten pretty expensive.

And if any of you are shooting squirrels (or anything else) and not eating them, there is a special place in hell for you.

Edward429451 · August 15, 2005, 09:41 PM

I know Butch, just kiddin around. I used to give my small game buddy the same crap for using a SG befor he moved away. He always got more than I did with my 22 b/c I couldn't always take the shot as you say. With a SG, it just seems too easy though!

I eat my squirrels too. Mmmmmustard!

butch50 · August 15, 2005, 09:47 PM

Near my fathers place there is a pecan orchard, it has about 2,000 trees in it. If you know the owner he will let you hunt squirrels, but only with a .22. He doesn't want to sell pecans that might have shotgun pellets in them that could chip some unsuspecting persons teeth. He isn't afraid of lawsuits, because who could ever trace a pecan to it's source, but he is a gentleman and is doing what he thinks is right.

Guess how many squirrels you can find in 2,000 pecan trees?

22-rimfire · August 15, 2005, 10:34 PM

I agree with Butch on the philosophy of hunting squirrels with either a shotgun or 22 rifle. You do have to be more careful with your shots with a rifle and anyone who isn't is a fool. I've also been "rained on" by shotgun pellets more than a couple of times while bow hunting... that makes you feel a bit creepy.

The pecan comment was interesting. Years ago (in Texas of all places), I was eating a steak at one of those quick steak places (Western Siz or something) and almost broke a tooth on shotgun pellets imbeded into the steak. No big thing until I kept finding them. Probably picked out 10 pellets from one steak. Those most have been big squirrels.

Left-Hander · August 16, 2005, 11:11 AM

I too was also concerned about using a .22 because of the 1-and-a-half mile range that it has. So it looks like I will be using my 16ga. this season. Will the sixteen be a good choice for tree rats, or should I go to a smaller gauge?

Lance5050 · August 19, 2005, 04:04 PM

Lefty...I would think 16 guage would be fine. I used to hunt with my buddy - I used a 20 guage and he used a 12 guage. Both worked fine (he had to be a bit more careful on close shots so as not to atomize them).

I agree with the others on the shot vs rifle issue. I personally don't want to have to worry about shooting somebody. My father-in-law told me how when he was a boy in Idaho riding home from school on his bike he took a stray .22 right in the mouth. No telling where it came from.

I also remember sitting out at grandpas house when folks were squirrel hunting in the woods across the road. He had a detached garage with a tin roof and every now and then you could hear the sprinkles as the shot rained down. At least it couldn't hurt you.

zeisloft · August 19, 2005, 04:27 PM

10/22 ...every time.
~z

butch50 · August 19, 2005, 05:25 PM

Quote:

The pecan comment was interesting. Years ago (in Texas of all places), I was eating a steak at one of those quick steak places (Western Siz or something) and almost broke a tooth on shotgun pellets imbeded into the steak. No big thing until I kept finding them. Probably picked out 10 pellets from one steak. Those most have been big squirrels.

We definitely have some big squirrels in Texas, but squirrel "steak" is a treat I havent actually run into yet.

kirbymagnum · October 16, 2005, 06:22 PM

it depends on your budjet how far you are shooting etc. If you are close a 22lr will do the job but if you are shooting farther a 22mag will do the job and you will have more fun to. How much damage and how will the squirls fly with a 17hmr i heard they have some good smach with a smoking 2550 fps

MTMilitiaman · October 16, 2005, 10:50 PM

I prefer my 10/22. Since I have put a bull barrel, laminate stock, and 4.5-14 scope on it, it isn't quite as handy as it used to be to carry around, but it still points well. In my experience, a good rimfire is more accurate to greater range and a good hollow point is more effective at most ranges than smaller round pellets. With my 10/22, I know I can thread a single projectile through the canopy 50 yards when the bushy tail shows up where I did't think he would. Also, when I am hunting squirrels, I am usually also on the look out for rabbits and tree squirrels as well. My dad refuses to load #6 or 4 shot and I have seen too many ground squirrels and rabbits with patterns of 7 1/2 shot centered on them escape to holes or nearby cover. The only time I use a scattergun any more is when I know I am in a more residential area. Then I will take my Wingmaster out.

Jack O'Conner · October 17, 2005, 08:53 AM

I prefer a single shot break open 16 gauge shotgun with full choke. Low base #6 shells. A good choice for jack rabbits too.
Jack

kirbymagnum · October 30, 2005, 09:36 PM

depends how far if it is close 22lr if it is far 17 mach 2 or if you want to have lots of fun 17hmr

Dave Haven · October 31, 2005, 12:12 AM

If you just wanna splode 'em, a .222 with Hornady 50 grain SXSPs (Super eXplosive Soft Point) is even MORE fun. And cheaper to reload than buying .17HMRs.
Hunting them for meat, I'd use a shotgun or a .22LR. Or an air rifle.

mdhunter · October 31, 2005, 12:34 AM

I like my Ruger Model 77 with 3x9 variable .22 Mag scope......that I picked up 2 years ago - for MANY years before that, I preferred my Remington Model 571 single shot .22 long rifle with 2x7 scope.

I still hunt, and the squirrels get back to normal activity faster after a .22 Mag or .22 long rifle shot than they do after a .410 or 12 gauge shot. Sure I have to pass up some shots for safety reasons, but it always seems to even out over the course of a season as I make a few long shots (50-80yards) that wouldn't have worked with the shotguns.

Have shot at a few squirrels with my bow and blunt tips, haven't hit one yet.

Michael

Big Yac · October 31, 2005, 01:44 AM

would a 25-20 be too much for squirrels? I'm thinking maybe it would be

john in jax · November 2, 2005, 05:07 PM

Savage 24F or 24V = 22LR over 12ga or 20ga

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/SearchR...0&Keywords=24f

August 15, 2005, 02:01 PM	#1
Left-Hander Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 34	Whats your vote for... The best squirrel gun? Would it be a rimfire rifle, or a shotgun, or mayde one of those combo rifle/shotguns?

August 15, 2005, 07:07 PM	#5
Big Yac Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 419	I loved my 5mm magnum for squirrels until I found out a few years ago that ammo was very rare and expensive for it. Now it just stays in the safe and the remaining 300 rounds dont get shot __________________ "...and that's the bottom line, because Big Yac said so."

August 15, 2005, 08:48 PM	#8
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	22. Butch/Impact....tsk tsk. You guys are cheating I hope you know. __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long

August 15, 2005, 09:07 PM	#9
butch50 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2005 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 1,403	Edward429451 I was raised up in cattle country, and we were taught very strict backstop rules for hunting with rifles. We weren't so much concened with hitting a human in the next county as someones cow. I have hunted many a squirrel into the stew pot with a .22, but have hunted a zillion times more into the stew pot with a 410. With the .22 you have to have a shot that puts the bullet into a solid piece of the tree, which is an unnecessary pita if you are hungry for squirrel stew. I will put it this way. The .22 is my preferred "hunting squirrels for sport" choice because then I am not actually concerned if I get one or not, and they are more fun to shoot that way. The 410 though is my preferred "hunting squirrels for food" choice because it is, A: a safer choice and B: Will greatly improve the odds of eating squirrel that night. Although I have noticed that 410 shells have gotten pretty expensive. And if any of you are shooting squirrels (or anything else) and not eating them, there is a special place in hell for you. __________________ ‘‘Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest.’’ ~ Mahatma Ghandi, "Gandhi, An Autobiography", page 446 ‘‘The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.’’ ~ Patrick Henry

August 15, 2005, 09:41 PM	#10
Edward429451 Senior Member Join Date: November 12, 2000 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado Posts: 9,457	I know Butch, just kiddin around. I used to give my small game buddy the same crap for using a SG befor he moved away. He always got more than I did with my 22 b/c I couldn't always take the shot as you say. With a SG, it just seems too easy though! I eat my squirrels too. Mmmmmustard! __________________ "Always place your clothes and weapons where you can find them in the dark" Lazarus Long "Understand that the enemy is not the enemy in his own eyes ;this may offer you an opportunity to make him your friend. If not, you can kill him without hate, and quickly." Lazarus Long

August 15, 2005, 02:17 PM	#2
Quickdraw Limpsalot Senior Member Join Date: September 20, 2004 Location: Rural Kentucky Posts: 464	I usually reach for my none-too-pretty Ruger 10/22 w/ a low powered cheapie Simmons scope. Ol' reliable.

August 15, 2005, 03:50 PM	#3
Clayfish Senior Member Join Date: May 19, 2005 Location: Valdosta, GA Posts: 953	yup, .22. Your not spitting out #7 pellets at dinner.

August 15, 2005, 05:37 PM	#4
arthurrh Senior Member Join Date: December 2, 2004 Posts: 189	I love my .17 HMR for that. Flat shooting and fun.

August 15, 2005, 07:59 PM	#6
butch50 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2005 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 1,403	410 shotgun. You don't have to worry about sending a bullet into the next county. __________________ ‘‘Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest.’’ ~ Mahatma Ghandi, "Gandhi, An Autobiography", page 446 ‘‘The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.’’ ~ Patrick Henry

August 15, 2005, 08:31 PM	#7
impact Senior Member Join Date: January 8, 2005 Location: the great state of Texas Posts: 854	I have to agree with butch on that one. Plus it's much easier to hit a moving squirrel with a 410. I vote for 410 because one of my buddies said "a 410 is the best darn squirrel rifle you can get"

August 15, 2005, 09:47 PM	#11
butch50 Senior Member Join Date: April 15, 2005 Location: Republic of Texas Posts: 1,403	Near my fathers place there is a pecan orchard, it has about 2,000 trees in it. If you know the owner he will let you hunt squirrels, but only with a .22. He doesn't want to sell pecans that might have shotgun pellets in them that could chip some unsuspecting persons teeth. He isn't afraid of lawsuits, because who could ever trace a pecan to it's source, but he is a gentleman and is doing what he thinks is right. Guess how many squirrels you can find in 2,000 pecan trees? __________________ ‘‘Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the act of depriving a whole nation of arms, as the blackest.’’ ~ Mahatma Ghandi, "Gandhi, An Autobiography", page 446 ‘‘The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able may have a gun.’’ ~ Patrick Henry

August 15, 2005, 10:34 PM	#12
22-rimfire Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2005 Location: Tennessee Posts: 4,334	I agree with Butch on the philosophy of hunting squirrels with either a shotgun or 22 rifle. You do have to be more careful with your shots with a rifle and anyone who isn't is a fool. I've also been "rained on" by shotgun pellets more than a couple of times while bow hunting... that makes you feel a bit creepy. The pecan comment was interesting. Years ago (in Texas of all places), I was eating a steak at one of those quick steak places (Western Siz or something) and almost broke a tooth on shotgun pellets imbeded into the steak. No big thing until I kept finding them. Probably picked out 10 pellets from one steak. Those most have been big squirrels.

August 16, 2005, 11:11 AM	#13
Left-Hander Member Join Date: February 18, 2005 Posts: 34	I too was also concerned about using a .22 because of the 1-and-a-half mile range that it has. So it looks like I will be using my 16ga. this season. Will the sixteen be a good choice for tree rats, or should I go to a smaller gauge?

August 19, 2005, 04:04 PM	#14
Lance5050 Junior Member Join Date: July 20, 2005 Posts: 14	Guages Lefty...I would think 16 guage would be fine. I used to hunt with my buddy - I used a 20 guage and he used a 12 guage. Both worked fine (he had to be a bit more careful on close shots so as not to atomize them). I agree with the others on the shot vs rifle issue. I personally don't want to have to worry about shooting somebody. My father-in-law told me how when he was a boy in Idaho riding home from school on his bike he took a stray .22 right in the mouth. No telling where it came from. I also remember sitting out at grandpas house when folks were squirrel hunting in the woods across the road. He had a detached garage with a tin roof and every now and then you could hear the sprinkles as the shot rained down. At least it couldn't hurt you.

August 19, 2005, 04:27 PM	#15
zeisloft Senior Member Join Date: June 7, 2005 Location: Amarillo TX Posts: 419	10/22 ...every time. ~z __________________ A scalpel can be just as effective as a broadsword Obviously, Occam was not a reloader

October 16, 2005, 06:22 PM	#17
kirbymagnum Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2005 Location: Alberta Posts: 410	it depends on your budjet how far you are shooting etc. If you are close a 22lr will do the job but if you are shooting farther a 22mag will do the job and you will have more fun to. How much damage and how will the squirls fly with a 17hmr i heard they have some good smach with a smoking 2550 fps

October 16, 2005, 10:50 PM	#18
MTMilitiaman Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2004 Location: NW Montana Posts: 1,875	I prefer my 10/22. Since I have put a bull barrel, laminate stock, and 4.5-14 scope on it, it isn't quite as handy as it used to be to carry around, but it still points well. In my experience, a good rimfire is more accurate to greater range and a good hollow point is more effective at most ranges than smaller round pellets. With my 10/22, I know I can thread a single projectile through the canopy 50 yards when the bushy tail shows up where I did't think he would. Also, when I am hunting squirrels, I am usually also on the look out for rabbits and tree squirrels as well. My dad refuses to load #6 or 4 shot and I have seen too many ground squirrels and rabbits with patterns of 7 1/2 shot centered on them escape to holes or nearby cover. The only time I use a scattergun any more is when I know I am in a more residential area. Then I will take my Wingmaster out. __________________ "...nothing says 'I WILL shoot every last one of you before you have time to reconsider your poor choices in life' like an AK." ~Dave R.

October 17, 2005, 08:53 AM	#19
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Posts: 1,320	I prefer a single shot break open 16 gauge shotgun with full choke. Low base #6 shells. A good choice for jack rabbits too. Jack

October 30, 2005, 09:36 PM	#20
kirbymagnum Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 2005 Location: Alberta Posts: 410	depends how far if it is close 22lr if it is far 17 mach 2 or if you want to have lots of fun 17hmr

October 31, 2005, 12:12 AM	#21
Dave Haven Senior Member Join Date: February 1, 2000 Location: near Flagstaff, AZ Posts: 790	If you just wanna splode 'em, a .222 with Hornady 50 grain SXSPs (Super eXplosive Soft Point) is even MORE fun. And cheaper to reload than buying .17HMRs. Hunting them for meat, I'd use a shotgun or a .22LR. Or an air rifle.

October 31, 2005, 12:34 AM	#22
mdhunter Member Join Date: February 4, 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 65	.22 Win Mag I like my Ruger Model 77 with 3x9 variable .22 Mag scope......that I picked up 2 years ago - for MANY years before that, I preferred my Remington Model 571 single shot .22 long rifle with 2x7 scope. I still hunt, and the squirrels get back to normal activity faster after a .22 Mag or .22 long rifle shot than they do after a .410 or 12 gauge shot. Sure I have to pass up some shots for safety reasons, but it always seems to even out over the course of a season as I make a few long shots (50-80yards) that wouldn't have worked with the shotguns. Have shot at a few squirrels with my bow and blunt tips, haven't hit one yet. Michael

October 31, 2005, 01:44 AM	#23
Big Yac Senior Member Join Date: April 23, 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 419	would a 25-20 be too much for squirrels? I'm thinking maybe it would be __________________ "...and that's the bottom line, because Big Yac said so."

November 2, 2005, 05:07 PM	#24
john in jax Senior Member Join Date: August 11, 2005 Posts: 1,099	Savage 24F or 24V = 22LR over 12ga or 20ga http://gunbroker.com/Auction/SearchR...0&Keywords=24f __________________ America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system, but too early to shoot the bastards. Claire Wolfe