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arcticap · December 26, 2011, 01:09 PM

I strictly use a full choke .410 loaded with 3 inch shells of #6 shot for squirrels.
It only takes hitting the squirrel with one well placed #6 pellet in the head or chest. But with a full choke .410, hitting a squirrel with up to about 1/2 dozen pellets is the norm when firing out to about 40 yards.
The .410 is much easier for making running shots when compared to using a .22LR.
When I used a 20 gauge with a modified choke and rabbit loads of #6 shot, much of the squirrel meat was ruined due to all of the pellet damage.
But I wouldn't hesitate to use a 20 or 12 gauge with a modified to cylinder choke for hunting running rabbits though.

December 26, 2011, 01:09 PM	#17
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	I strictly use a full choke .410 loaded with 3 inch shells of #6 shot for squirrels. It only takes hitting the squirrel with one well placed #6 pellet in the head or chest. But with a full choke .410, hitting a squirrel with up to about 1/2 dozen pellets is the norm when firing out to about 40 yards. The .410 is much easier for making running shots when compared to using a .22LR. When I used a 20 gauge with a modified choke and rabbit loads of #6 shot, much of the squirrel meat was ruined due to all of the pellet damage. But I wouldn't hesitate to use a 20 or 12 gauge with a modified to cylinder choke for hunting running rabbits though. Last edited by arcticap; December 26, 2011 at 01:15 PM.