Squirrel hunting with 12 gauge

dabigguns357 · September 16, 2009, 02:37 AM

My brother in law and i have been invited to go squirrel hunting,any he has no gun.I have a .22 with scope that i'll be using,i also have a 12 gauge with a 18 1/2 cylinder bore.

My question is this would it be acceptable for him to use it and what type of ammo should be used.I bought some federal hi-brass #4 shot and #6 shot both.

**hogdogs** · September 16, 2009, 02:48 AM

For way long range, I use #6 for tree rats... Any other time I use CHEAP low brass target loads with low payloads as it don't vaporize the buggers so easy...
Brent

dabigguns357 · September 16, 2009, 07:55 AM

So it won't matter about the size of the barrel.

**hogdogs** · September 16, 2009, 08:03 AM

the Cylinder bore is great for opening the pattern sooner to also avoid meat damage... One pellet to the noggin is plenty on a tree rat. I like the 18 inch myself... actually prefer it for tree rats as it mounts real fast but swing and lead is slower and less crucial compared to doves and such.

I can hold my own against most any one on hit ratio for tree rats which is far more than I can say about clay sports or wing shooting the "grey rocket".

Brent
P.S. I meant to say in my first reply... Those cheap rounds I prefer for routine use are 7 1/2...

SavageSniper · September 16, 2009, 09:28 AM

I use 71/2's too. That is great squirrel medicene. If you are hunting with a buddy, one with a .22 and one with a shotgun will put alot of meat on the table.

Gbro · September 16, 2009, 09:57 AM

Use of a shotgun will allow for many more opportunity's. A shot with a .22 will have to be taken only when safe backstop is available. That is rare when squirrel hunting. remember, 1 1/2 mile range on a .22 rimfire.
Then with the 12 Ga. one must let a squirrel get some distance away or there will be nothing let to eat.

JWT · September 16, 2009, 10:15 AM

You can hunt squirrels with a shotgun. Only problem is that then you have to contend with shot in the meat when you eat the critters. Always preferred a .22 for tree rats. A bit more sporty and much easier on the meat. Whenever I did use a shotgun on them I used #6 shot.

Deerhunter264 · September 19, 2009, 01:50 PM

if using 12 gauge one rats and want the meat clean i suggest walking around the tree until all you can see is the rats head and his body is hidden behind a branch and then shoot for a good headshot...There will be nothing in the meat and it will be a clean kill. This also takes patients and good stalking ability if the rats are smart. This has always worked for me when using a shotgun on them.

GeauxTide · September 20, 2009, 12:23 AM

Cylinder is ok unless you're in creek bottoms shooting up into big Pinoak or Beech trees before the leaves fall. I've always used a modified choke with HV 4 or 6 shot. If going after fox squirrels, 4s and full choke.

September 16, 2009, 02:37 AM	#1
dabigguns357 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Location: Ona,West Virginia Posts: 1,215	Squirrel hunting with 12 gauge My brother in law and i have been invited to go squirrel hunting,any he has no gun.I have a .22 with scope that i'll be using,i also have a 12 gauge with a 18 1/2 cylinder bore. My question is this would it be acceptable for him to use it and what type of ammo should be used.I bought some federal hi-brass #4 shot and #6 shot both.

September 16, 2009, 02:48 AM	#2
hogdogs Staff Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 10,691	For way long range, I use #6 for tree rats... Any other time I use CHEAP low brass target loads with low payloads as it don't vaporize the buggers so easy... Brent __________________ Finally have designs going up in the Hogdogs Outdoor Apparel online store. http://www.cafepress.com/hogdogsoutdoorapparel Thanks for lookin'...

September 16, 2009, 09:28 AM	#5
SavageSniper Senior Member Join Date: November 25, 2005 Location: Crawfordville, FL Posts: 494	I use 71/2's too. That is great squirrel medicene. If you are hunting with a buddy, one with a .22 and one with a shotgun will put alot of meat on the table. __________________ This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights!

September 16, 2009, 07:55 AM	#3
dabigguns357 Senior Member Join Date: May 3, 2008 Location: Ona,West Virginia Posts: 1,215	So it won't matter about the size of the barrel.

September 16, 2009, 08:03 AM	#4
hogdogs Staff Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 10,691	the Cylinder bore is great for opening the pattern sooner to also avoid meat damage... One pellet to the noggin is plenty on a tree rat. I like the 18 inch myself... actually prefer it for tree rats as it mounts real fast but swing and lead is slower and less crucial compared to doves and such. I can hold my own against most any one on hit ratio for tree rats which is far more than I can say about clay sports or wing shooting the "grey rocket". Brent P.S. I meant to say in my first reply... Those cheap rounds I prefer for routine use are 7 1/2... __________________ Finally have designs going up in the Hogdogs Outdoor Apparel online store. http://www.cafepress.com/hogdogsoutdoorapparel Thanks for lookin'...

September 16, 2009, 09:57 AM	#6
Gbro Senior Member Join Date: February 21, 2005 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,011	Use of a shotgun will allow for many more opportunity's. A shot with a .22 will have to be taken only when safe backstop is available. That is rare when squirrel hunting. remember, 1 1/2 mile range on a .22 rimfire. Then with the 12 Ga. one must let a squirrel get some distance away or there will be nothing let to eat. __________________ Gbro CGVS For the message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, But to us who are being saved, It Is The Power Of God. 1Corinthians 1-18

September 16, 2009, 10:15 AM	#7
JWT Senior Member Join Date: March 16, 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,825	You can hunt squirrels with a shotgun. Only problem is that then you have to contend with shot in the meat when you eat the critters. Always preferred a .22 for tree rats. A bit more sporty and much easier on the meat. Whenever I did use a shotgun on them I used #6 shot.

September 19, 2009, 01:50 PM	#8
Deerhunter264 Member Join Date: April 6, 2008 Posts: 82	if using 12 gauge one rats and want the meat clean i suggest walking around the tree until all you can see is the rats head and his body is hidden behind a branch and then shoot for a good headshot...There will be nothing in the meat and it will be a clean kill. This also takes patients and good stalking ability if the rats are smart. This has always worked for me when using a shotgun on them.

September 20, 2009, 12:23 AM	#9
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 2,922	Cylinder is ok unless you're in creek bottoms shooting up into big Pinoak or Beech trees before the leaves fall. I've always used a modified choke with HV 4 or 6 shot. If going after fox squirrels, 4s and full choke.