squirrel/small game hunting

Rebel9793 · November 14, 2012, 07:30 PM

Anyone a fan? Went out this morning and limited out on grey squirrels with the ol' .17hmr. Took a buddy of mine with me an he was amazed that I was able to hit squirrels at 50-75 yards with it. What is your choice of firearm for squirrel and small game?

shortwave · November 14, 2012, 08:10 PM

Last squirrel I shot was just yesterday.

A bully red squirrel that's been dominating all the grays here at the house.

A 45yd. shot with a Rem. .22 bolt action rifle strategically bench rested on the toprail of the deck. Even though he was bullying the gray squirrels he would have probably lived if I had not caught him chewing on the tractor seat in the barn last week.

12GaugeShuggoth · November 14, 2012, 08:27 PM

Although I love my Marlin 60, it's proved to be a little too picky with ammo so my go-to is the Remington Viper. That thing will eat up anything, but it seems to be most accurate with HV 40gr. ammo. I've always liked the Yellow Jackets but they seem to wander around a bit out of that rifle, especially out at 50 yards and more. I've got a Centerpoint muzzleloader scope on it (yeah I know it's a little odd), and together they make a nice little combo for getting rid of problems and small game hunting.

Rebel9793 · November 14, 2012, 08:48 PM

Shortwave, I would have shot him as soon as I seen him munchin on the tractor seat.

12, Nothing like an old .22 or shootin those furry little guys. Normally I take a .22 bolt action or my .22 pistol but I got my .17hmr this summer and though I would try it out....It rocks

Head shots only though haha.

12GaugeShuggoth · November 14, 2012, 08:55 PM

Rebel, I love shooting .17HMR, it's definitely a fun caliber; I just don't own one yet.

Rebel9793 · November 14, 2012, 09:00 PM

12, Its a very fun caliber! accurate as can be too. Ive got the Marlin 917vs bull barrel and I can put 7 shots down range an cover them with a dime at 200 yrds. Made $20 today on a bet that I couldnt hit a black bird at about 250 yards....BDC reticle for the win

Wyosmith · November 14, 2012, 09:00 PM

I don't have squirrles to hunt here, but for bunnies and for shooting varmints for fun, nothing beats a small bore flintlock rifle.

http://s90.beta.photobucket.com/user...l?sort=3&o=109

If you NEED to kill off varmints, I'd have to give a nod to an AR-15

shortwave · November 14, 2012, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Shortwave, I would have shot him as soon as I seen him munchin on the tractor seat.

Yea, that fast little sucker made a fool outta me for a couple days darting in and out of the barn grabbin walnuts. He just happened to pause at the wrong time.

Rebel9793 · November 14, 2012, 09:08 PM

Wyosmith, Never been much into black powder but it seems interesting for sure. Same thing goes for the AR's. A buddy of mine has a a few in different calibers but I still fall back to my old bolt action huntin guns. Just the way I was raised haha. Nothing wrong with an AR, Just not my cup of tea.

Shortwave, Had one of those today! Chased him around a big ol oak tree for 15 minutes tryin to pick off a shot but he wouldn't stay still. Finally as I stepped back an sat down for about 2 minutes an he made the biggest mistake...He came out an off went his head

Old Grump · November 14, 2012, 10:04 PM

Leaf on I use 20 gauge, leaf down and nice day 22 pistol, after it gets to be long sleeve and heavy coat weather its my old Savage single shot 22 rifle.

Deja vu · November 14, 2012, 10:35 PM

I use a 77/22 with the premium CCI ammo. I am not a huge fan of stingers but I love the Velocitors. I also used a Henry Golden boy until it was out of my truck.

I save the bulk stuff for shooting cans and such.

I also find a 12ga with cheep target loads and a full choke work well (as long as you are not going to be eating or skinning them).

alex0535 · November 14, 2012, 10:44 PM

Marlin 917v .17 HMR

It does the job, and it is a very fun caliber to shoot. This rifle shoots so well that I plan to keep it forever. Population control

Rebel9793 · November 14, 2012, 10:50 PM

Deja Vu, With your 12ga try putting your bead about 2 inches in front of there nose...That's the way I shoot them when using a shotgun and it dont tear them up to bad, just the head.

Alex, that makes two of us!

g20gunny · November 14, 2012, 11:01 PM

Here in kansas we eat quite a lot of squirrel and rabbit, my 3 year old daughter is so accustomed to watching me clean and cook game that she once tried to put the cat on a lit grill (cat is fine). I have taken countless rabbits with several of my .22s but my favorite by far is my old mossberg m47a with fine iron sights. The thing makes bunny eyes all day. My backup for dense brush is my henry lever action .22. I've even taken them with my 10mm glock but they didn't make it to the freezer. Even a 12ga with 4/7 mix makes it out from time to time, but nothing beats a fresh snow and a dead accurate .22

treg · November 14, 2012, 11:12 PM

I carry my Mossy 12 gauge pump for early season woods stomping when partridge are also on the menu.

When horseback it's the Buckmark.

Later season with snow the scoped 10/22 gets the call.

All of the above is subject to "flavor of the day" infatuation which may also include the SR40c or BH .44 Special (ground shots only).

Today at work I was pondering a week long out of state squirrel hunting vacation.

L_Killkenny · November 15, 2012, 12:13 PM

Traditionally my homebrew 10/22 has gotten the call but lately I've been toting my Winchester 1300 12ga. with 22" WinChoke barrel and a varity of loads. Never know what I'm gonna run into and it's good for bunnies to flyin stuff to coyotes.

Scout · November 15, 2012, 01:31 PM

My Marlin .17 Mach 2 is my squirrel rifle these days.

smokiniron · November 15, 2012, 02:07 PM

I hae a little Browning Grade 1 take-down autoloader from 1969 with a 4X Redfield scope that is really fun gun to use.....

alex0535 · November 15, 2012, 03:35 PM

Shot one about an hour ago out of a pecan tree. About 65 yards with the .17 HMR. Didn't move a step.

I can't remember the last one that I shot at that I missed or that the bullet failed to kill the squirrel right away. The little 17 grain V-max is very effective against them.

Have to buy some hollow points, I think they do a little better against the crows.

Rebel9793 · November 15, 2012, 04:22 PM

Alex, Try the CCI TNT rounds...they're devastating. They shoot good but do too much damage on squirrels to eat them. I shoot the Winchester 20gr XTP.

alex0535 · November 15, 2012, 04:30 PM

Have tested multiple types of ammo in my rifle. It prefers the 17 grain Hornady V-Max.

They do the same thing as the TNT rounds, explode on impact. Also I am pretty sure the same people manufacture like 90% of the commercial .17 HMR ammo.

I don't usually eat them, they are varmints that do crop damage and burrow in our walls. Might skin a few of them out at some point, but usually they are food for the other forest creatures. Last year there were a pair of hawks that would come to the sound of my .17 and perch above the trees I was shooting, looking for an easy meal.

November 14, 2012, 07:30 PM	#1
Rebel9793 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 134	squirrel/small game hunting Anyone a fan? Went out this morning and limited out on grey squirrels with the ol' .17hmr. Took a buddy of mine with me an he was amazed that I was able to hit squirrels at 50-75 yards with it. What is your choice of firearm for squirrel and small game?

November 14, 2012, 08:27 PM	#3
12GaugeShuggoth Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 534	Although I love my Marlin 60, it's proved to be a little too picky with ammo so my go-to is the Remington Viper. That thing will eat up anything, but it seems to be most accurate with HV 40gr. ammo. I've always liked the Yellow Jackets but they seem to wander around a bit out of that rifle, especially out at 50 yards and more. I've got a Centerpoint muzzleloader scope on it (yeah I know it's a little odd), and together they make a nice little combo for getting rid of problems and small game hunting. __________________ ---Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.--- ---Enlightenment is the ability to take infinite pains--- MOLON LABE

November 14, 2012, 08:55 PM	#5
12GaugeShuggoth Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Location: Virginia Posts: 534	Rebel, I love shooting .17HMR, it's definitely a fun caliber; I just don't own one yet. __________________ ---Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.--- ---Enlightenment is the ability to take infinite pains--- MOLON LABE

November 14, 2012, 10:04 PM	#10
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Leaf on I use 20 gauge, leaf down and nice day 22 pistol, after it gets to be long sleeve and heavy coat weather its my old Savage single shot 22 rifle. __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

November 14, 2012, 10:35 PM	#11
Deja vu Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Border of Idaho & Montana Posts: 2,584	I use a 77/22 with the premium CCI ammo. I am not a huge fan of stingers but I love the Velocitors. I also used a Henry Golden boy until it was out of my truck. I save the bulk stuff for shooting cans and such. I also find a 12ga with cheep target loads and a full choke work well (as long as you are not going to be eating or skinning them). __________________ Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well...

November 14, 2012, 08:10 PM	#2
shortwave Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2007 Location: SOUTHEAST, OHIO Posts: 5,970	Last squirrel I shot was just yesterday. A bully red squirrel that's been dominating all the grays here at the house. A 45yd. shot with a Rem. .22 bolt action rifle strategically bench rested on the toprail of the deck. Even though he was bullying the gray squirrels he would have probably lived if I had not caught him chewing on the tractor seat in the barn last week.

November 14, 2012, 08:48 PM	#4
Rebel9793 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 134	Shortwave, I would have shot him as soon as I seen him munchin on the tractor seat. 12, Nothing like an old .22 or shootin those furry little guys. Normally I take a .22 bolt action or my .22 pistol but I got my .17hmr this summer and though I would try it out....It rocks Head shots only though haha.

November 14, 2012, 09:00 PM	#6
Rebel9793 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 134	12, Its a very fun caliber! accurate as can be too. Ive got the Marlin 917vs bull barrel and I can put 7 shots down range an cover them with a dime at 200 yrds. Made $20 today on a bet that I couldnt hit a black bird at about 250 yards....BDC reticle for the win

November 14, 2012, 09:00 PM	#7
Wyosmith Senior Member Join Date: December 29, 2010 Location: Shoshoni Wyoming Posts: 2,713	I don't have squirrles to hunt here, but for bunnies and for shooting varmints for fun, nothing beats a small bore flintlock rifle. http://s90.beta.photobucket.com/user...l?sort=3&o=109 If you NEED to kill off varmints, I'd have to give a nod to an AR-15

November 14, 2012, 09:08 PM	#9
Rebel9793 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 134	Wyosmith, Never been much into black powder but it seems interesting for sure. Same thing goes for the AR's. A buddy of mine has a a few in different calibers but I still fall back to my old bolt action huntin guns. Just the way I was raised haha. Nothing wrong with an AR, Just not my cup of tea. Shortwave, Had one of those today! Chased him around a big ol oak tree for 15 minutes tryin to pick off a shot but he wouldn't stay still. Finally as I stepped back an sat down for about 2 minutes an he made the biggest mistake...He came out an off went his head

November 14, 2012, 10:44 PM	#12
alex0535 Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 908	Marlin 917v .17 HMR It does the job, and it is a very fun caliber to shoot. This rifle shoots so well that I plan to keep it forever. Population control

November 14, 2012, 10:50 PM	#13
Rebel9793 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 134	Deja Vu, With your 12ga try putting your bead about 2 inches in front of there nose...That's the way I shoot them when using a shotgun and it dont tear them up to bad, just the head. Alex, that makes two of us!

November 14, 2012, 11:01 PM	#14
g20gunny Senior Member Join Date: February 19, 2012 Location: A wheat field in Kansas Posts: 141	Here in kansas we eat quite a lot of squirrel and rabbit, my 3 year old daughter is so accustomed to watching me clean and cook game that she once tried to put the cat on a lit grill (cat is fine). I have taken countless rabbits with several of my .22s but my favorite by far is my old mossberg m47a with fine iron sights. The thing makes bunny eyes all day. My backup for dense brush is my henry lever action .22. I've even taken them with my 10mm glock but they didn't make it to the freezer. Even a 12ga with 4/7 mix makes it out from time to time, but nothing beats a fresh snow and a dead accurate .22 __________________ "A free people ought not only to be armed and disciplined but they should have sufficient arms and ammunition to maintain a status of independence from any who might attempt to abuse them, which would include their own government." --George Washington

November 14, 2012, 11:12 PM	#15
treg Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 1,102	I carry my Mossy 12 gauge pump for early season woods stomping when partridge are also on the menu. When horseback it's the Buckmark. Later season with snow the scoped 10/22 gets the call. All of the above is subject to "flavor of the day" infatuation which may also include the SR40c or BH .44 Special (ground shots only). Today at work I was pondering a week long out of state squirrel hunting vacation. __________________ .44 Special: For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible.

November 15, 2012, 12:13 PM	#16
L_Killkenny Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2007 Location: Iowa Posts: 2,676	Traditionally my homebrew 10/22 has gotten the call but lately I've been toting my Winchester 1300 12ga. with 22" WinChoke barrel and a varity of loads. Never know what I'm gonna run into and it's good for bunnies to flyin stuff to coyotes.

November 15, 2012, 01:31 PM	#17
Scout Senior Member Join Date: August 9, 2009 Location: Central Florida Posts: 510	My Marlin .17 Mach 2 is my squirrel rifle these days. __________________ God bless the U.S. Cavalry

November 15, 2012, 02:07 PM	#18
smokiniron Senior Member Join Date: August 10, 2012 Location: Utah Posts: 232	Squirrel and rabbits? I hae a little Browning Grade 1 take-down autoloader from 1969 with a 4X Redfield scope that is really fun gun to use..... __________________ "Figure Out What You Believe and STAND YOUR GROUND!" Nemo Me Impune Lacessit Lots of Cast Iron to Cook With... and a few defensive firearms, too!

November 15, 2012, 03:35 PM	#19
alex0535 Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 908	Shot one about an hour ago out of a pecan tree. About 65 yards with the .17 HMR. Didn't move a step. I can't remember the last one that I shot at that I missed or that the bullet failed to kill the squirrel right away. The little 17 grain V-max is very effective against them. Have to buy some hollow points, I think they do a little better against the crows.

November 15, 2012, 04:22 PM	#20
Rebel9793 Senior Member Join Date: October 11, 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 134	Alex, Try the CCI TNT rounds...they're devastating. They shoot good but do too much damage on squirrels to eat them. I shoot the Winchester 20gr XTP.

November 15, 2012, 04:30 PM	#21
alex0535 Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2012 Location: Georgia Posts: 908	Have tested multiple types of ammo in my rifle. It prefers the 17 grain Hornady V-Max. They do the same thing as the TNT rounds, explode on impact. Also I am pretty sure the same people manufacture like 90% of the commercial .17 HMR ammo. I don't usually eat them, they are varmints that do crop damage and burrow in our walls. Might skin a few of them out at some point, but usually they are food for the other forest creatures. Last year there were a pair of hawks that would come to the sound of my .17 and perch above the trees I was shooting, looking for an easy meal.

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