your favorit squirrel/rabbit gun

mo84 · March 12, 2011, 09:46 AM

I was just wonding what everyone uses to take squirrels and rabbits. I started out using a 22 cal for squirrels then moved on to the mossberg 500 12 gage. I bought a browning bps 10 gage and find it works better. whats your favorit gun to use.

oletymer · March 12, 2011, 09:55 AM

A 10 ga. for rabbit and squirrels? I use a 22 because that is all you need. A shotgun is not very sporting although some people prefer them.

jglsprings · March 12, 2011, 10:03 AM

I know it is the shotgun forum, but, I use my .22 ninety nine percent of the time.

liberty -r- death · March 12, 2011, 11:17 AM

I prefer 22lr. over shot gun. Never have to worry about biting into a pellet with a 22.

A couple of public hunting grounds I use require shotgun. So I use a 20 ga. there.

zippy13 · March 12, 2011, 11:52 AM

When the local rabbits grow wings, I'll let you know which shotgun I choose. 'Till then it's a rimfire.

Rifleman1776 · March 12, 2011, 12:10 PM

My favorite is my Revolutionary period transitional style flintlock longrifle in .45 cal.
However, I have killed many-many more with my Ruger 10/22.

**44 AMP** · March 12, 2011, 12:18 PM

When using shotguns, for squirrel and rabbit, I prefer either my Winchester Model 12 or my grandfather's Ithaca Flues model double. #7 1/2 or 8s for squirrels and #6 for rabbit. Lead shot only.

The trick for squirrels is to "bark" them, in other words, aim just a bit off, so they are only hit by the edge of the pattern. Otherwise, you get a lot more lead than meat!

The shotgun is not the best thing for squirrels, a .22LR is much more efficient. For rabbits, the shotgun does a bit better efficiency-wise, but a .22 is still a good choice, unless you are shooting running game, where the pattern of the shotgun gives it an edge.

TheNatureBoy · March 12, 2011, 12:34 PM

I've never hunted rabbit but as far as hunting squirrel is concerned I use a pellet rifle a w/scope. Just as lethal as a .22 and a whole lot quieter.

mo84 · March 12, 2011, 12:37 PM

I use the shotgun because 99% of the time the squirrels are on the ground at a fair distance as I sit on a ridge and catch them as they go by. The 22 didn't seem to be as efficient compaired to the 10 gage. I drive about an hour to where I hunt so missing them kinda makes for a bad day lol. I think if I had a dog to tree them then I would probably just use a 22 but that seems like alot of work compaired to sitting on the ridge just being patient

I like hunting squirrel/rabbit because it seems to be the only season I can hunt state land without anyone else around.

M.O.A. · March 12, 2011, 12:41 PM

i have always used a 20 ga. but i just got a new 17hmr that i think will be the squirrel killer of the year

arcticap · March 12, 2011, 01:10 PM

My long time favorite squirrel gun is a .410 Remington 870 pump with a full choke.
I've found that even only one well placed ball of #6 shot is capable of harvesting an eastern gray squirrel.
The 3" .410 shells provide enough extra range to effectively hit squirrels that are moving limb to limb in the tree tops.
Aiming the .410 is more forgiving than a .22 and it doesn't cause as much meat damage as the larger gauge shotguns can.
And the .410 doesn't often cause enough pelt damage to ruin the possibility of having a squirrel mounted. If firing any shotgun at very close range then one can always aim off to the side so that the squirrel is hit with fewer pellets from the fringe of the shot pattern compared to when firing directly at it.

gunut · March 12, 2011, 01:51 PM

Ruger 10/22 or model 42 winchester 410....

zippy13 · March 12, 2011, 02:18 PM

Greetings gunut, and welcome aboard

Nice gun the Winchester Model 42.

Old Grump · March 12, 2011, 02:25 PM

Any 20 gauge. light loads and any shot between #8 and #6, never any higher. I prefer a 22 but as my eyes get a little fuzzier the wee bit of extra help keeps me in the game.

DiscoRacing · March 12, 2011, 02:43 PM

squirrel...ruger m77 .223
rabbit....beretta al2 12 ga.

HeroHog · March 12, 2011, 02:52 PM

It's actually my coon/varmint gun, a Model 60 Marlin Glenfield.

I have used her to flush and hold a 2 legged varmint for the local Deputy to come get but that's a whole `nuther type of hunting!

pabuckslayer08 · March 12, 2011, 02:59 PM

If im stalking in field edges and what not I use my .17 but when im in thick forest I carry my 11-87

mo84 · March 12, 2011, 04:57 PM

herohog that is one interesting looking gun to say the least lol

Dave McC · March 12, 2011, 08:00 PM

My first squirrels fell to a single shot H&R 16 gauge,ca 1927 manufacture and 1958 employment. It has been Pop's first shotgun also,

Singles still trip my trigger for squirrels. I've taken a 12 gauge NEF single hunting a couple times and made meat. These days, though, I've lots of choices including a few 20 gauges, an 870 and an O/U. I shoot both well.

Where I live has too many people around to fire off 22s into the canopy. I used to take a HS Trophy Supermatic target pistol along for squirrels on the ground and that 16 gauge for upward shots.

I've taken squirrels and rabbits with everything from 4s to 8s. By and large, 6s work best,followed by 5s, IMO.

HTH....

Creek Henry · March 12, 2011, 10:26 PM

.22 marlin lever gun or 12 bore. My .22 Magnum AMT semi-auto works well out to 40 yards or so but it's hard getting that close to truely wild rabbits and squirrels.

a7mmnut · March 12, 2011, 10:51 PM

Again--a 10 GAUGE?

I use a Marlin M60 and Ithaca 72 now, but my eye has been out for a Savage 24 in either .22/.410 or .22/20 ga.

http://www.auctionarms.com/search/auctions.aspx?ab=631

-7-

Slugo · March 13, 2011, 09:29 AM

this will take small game out better than a firearm. 1977 vintage Sheridan Blue Streak...

bet on it!!

publius · March 15, 2011, 07:40 PM

11-48 .410 or Franchi 48 .20ga. for rabbits and .22 rifle w/ subsonics for squirrel. You sure have taken good care of that Sheridan, great pellet guns.

LSnSC · March 16, 2011, 06:48 AM

LT 20 1100. My first "real" shotgun. I used give the squirrels and rabbits hell with that little shotgun.

fadetoblack172 · March 16, 2011, 07:55 AM

winchester model 12 20 gauge

March 12, 2011, 09:46 AM	#1
mo84 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 257	your favorit squirrel/rabbit gun I was just wonding what everyone uses to take squirrels and rabbits. I started out using a 22 cal for squirrels then moved on to the mossberg 500 12 gage. I bought a browning bps 10 gage and find it works better. whats your favorit gun to use.

March 12, 2011, 10:03 AM	#3
jglsprings Senior Member Join Date: January 7, 2009 Posts: 1,827	I know it is the shotgun forum, but, I use my .22 ninety nine percent of the time. __________________ Let's eat Grandma. Let's eat, Grandma. Commas save lives...

March 12, 2011, 01:10 PM	#11
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	My long time favorite squirrel gun is a .410 Remington 870 pump with a full choke. I've found that even only one well placed ball of #6 shot is capable of harvesting an eastern gray squirrel. The 3" .410 shells provide enough extra range to effectively hit squirrels that are moving limb to limb in the tree tops. Aiming the .410 is more forgiving than a .22 and it doesn't cause as much meat damage as the larger gauge shotguns can. And the .410 doesn't often cause enough pelt damage to ruin the possibility of having a squirrel mounted. If firing any shotgun at very close range then one can always aim off to the side so that the squirrel is hit with fewer pellets from the fringe of the shot pattern compared to when firing directly at it. Last edited by arcticap; March 12, 2011 at 10:12 PM.

March 12, 2011, 02:25 PM	#14
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	Any 20 gauge. light loads and any shot between #8 and #6, never any higher. I prefer a 22 but as my eyes get a little fuzzier the wee bit of extra help keeps me in the game. __________________ 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--

March 12, 2011, 02:43 PM	#15
DiscoRacing Senior Member Join Date: December 19, 2008 Location: milton, wv Posts: 3,640	squirrel...ruger m77 .223 rabbit....beretta al2 12 ga. __________________ Desert Eagle Alliance Group Launcher Extraordinaire ______ ----Get Busy Live'n.....Or....Get Busy Die'n......Red -------They call me Dr. Bob,,,, I have a PhD in S&W

March 12, 2011, 09:55 AM	#2
oletymer Senior Member Join Date: September 9, 2005 Posts: 338	A 10 ga. for rabbit and squirrels? I use a 22 because that is all you need. A shotgun is not very sporting although some people prefer them.

March 12, 2011, 11:17 AM	#4
liberty -r- death Member Join Date: December 10, 2009 Posts: 36	I prefer 22lr. over shot gun. Never have to worry about biting into a pellet with a 22. A couple of public hunting grounds I use require shotgun. So I use a 20 ga. there.

March 12, 2011, 11:52 AM	#5
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	When the local rabbits grow wings, I'll let you know which shotgun I choose. 'Till then it's a rimfire.

March 12, 2011, 12:10 PM	#6
Rifleman1776 Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2010 Location: Arkansas Posts: 3,309	My favorite is my Revolutionary period transitional style flintlock longrifle in .45 cal. However, I have killed many-many more with my Ruger 10/22.

March 12, 2011, 12:18 PM	#7
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,838	When using shotguns, for squirrel and rabbit, I prefer either my Winchester Model 12 or my grandfather's Ithaca Flues model double. #7 1/2 or 8s for squirrels and #6 for rabbit. Lead shot only. The trick for squirrels is to "bark" them, in other words, aim just a bit off, so they are only hit by the edge of the pattern. Otherwise, you get a lot more lead than meat! The shotgun is not the best thing for squirrels, a .22LR is much more efficient. For rabbits, the shotgun does a bit better efficiency-wise, but a .22 is still a good choice, unless you are shooting running game, where the pattern of the shotgun gives it an edge. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.

March 12, 2011, 12:34 PM	#8
TheNatureBoy Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2007 Posts: 1,204	I've never hunted rabbit but as far as hunting squirrel is concerned I use a pellet rifle a w/scope. Just as lethal as a .22 and a whole lot quieter.

March 12, 2011, 12:37 PM	#9
mo84 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 257	I use the shotgun because 99% of the time the squirrels are on the ground at a fair distance as I sit on a ridge and catch them as they go by. The 22 didn't seem to be as efficient compaired to the 10 gage. I drive about an hour to where I hunt so missing them kinda makes for a bad day lol. I think if I had a dog to tree them then I would probably just use a 22 but that seems like alot of work compaired to sitting on the ridge just being patient I like hunting squirrel/rabbit because it seems to be the only season I can hunt state land without anyone else around.

March 12, 2011, 12:41 PM	#10
M.O.A. Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2011 Location: south indiana Posts: 555	i have always used a 20 ga. but i just got a new 17hmr that i think will be the squirrel killer of the year

March 12, 2011, 01:51 PM	#12
gunut Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Sussex Wi. Posts: 37	Ruger 10/22 or model 42 winchester 410....

March 12, 2011, 02:18 PM	#13
zippy13 Senior Member Join Date: August 23, 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 6,442	Greetings gunut, and welcome aboard Nice gun the Winchester Model 42.

March 12, 2011, 02:52 PM	#16
HeroHog Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2008 Location: Shreveport, LA Posts: 486	It's actually my coon/varmint gun, a Model 60 Marlin Glenfield. I have used her to flush and hold a 2 legged varmint for the local Deputy to come get but that's a whole `nuther type of hunting! __________________ Speedy AKA: Hero Hog, Dr. Speed, "That fat, old, balding, Grey-bearded gimpy guy" *I don't have NEAR enough ammo on hand. `Nuff said.*

March 12, 2011, 02:59 PM	#17
pabuckslayer08 Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2010 Location: South Central Pa Posts: 692	If im stalking in field edges and what not I use my .17 but when im in thick forest I carry my 11-87

March 12, 2011, 04:57 PM	#18
mo84 Senior Member Join Date: February 27, 2011 Location: Michigan Posts: 257	herohog that is one interesting looking gun to say the least lol

March 12, 2011, 08:00 PM	#19
Dave McC Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 13, 1999 Location: Columbia, Md, USA Posts: 8,811	My first squirrels fell to a single shot H&R 16 gauge,ca 1927 manufacture and 1958 employment. It has been Pop's first shotgun also, Singles still trip my trigger for squirrels. I've taken a 12 gauge NEF single hunting a couple times and made meat. These days, though, I've lots of choices including a few 20 gauges, an 870 and an O/U. I shoot both well. Where I live has too many people around to fire off 22s into the canopy. I used to take a HS Trophy Supermatic target pistol along for squirrels on the ground and that 16 gauge for upward shots. I've taken squirrels and rabbits with everything from 4s to 8s. By and large, 6s work best,followed by 5s, IMO. HTH....

March 12, 2011, 10:26 PM	#20
Creek Henry Senior Member Join Date: October 23, 2009 Location: Dallas Posts: 514	.22 marlin lever gun or 12 bore. My .22 Magnum AMT semi-auto works well out to 40 yards or so but it's hard getting that close to truely wild rabbits and squirrels.

March 12, 2011, 10:51 PM	#21
a7mmnut Junior member Join Date: February 27, 2009 Location: NC Foothills Posts: 1,150	Again--a 10 GAUGE? I use a Marlin M60 and Ithaca 72 now, but my eye has been out for a Savage 24 in either .22/.410 or .22/20 ga. http://www.auctionarms.com/search/auctions.aspx?ab=631 -7-

March 13, 2011, 09:29 AM	#22
Slugo Junior member Join Date: September 15, 2001 Location: Central PA Posts: 1,007	this will take small game out better than a firearm. 1977 vintage Sheridan Blue Streak... bet on it!!

March 15, 2011, 07:40 PM	#23
publius Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2005 Location: Mississippi/Texas Posts: 2,505	11-48 .410 or Franchi 48 .20ga. for rabbits and .22 rifle w/ subsonics for squirrel. You sure have taken good care of that Sheridan, great pellet guns. __________________ "Suppose you were an idiot, and suppose you were a member of Congress, but I repeat myself." Mark Twain

March 16, 2011, 06:48 AM	#24
LSnSC Senior Member Join Date: January 5, 2010 Posts: 514	LT 20 1100. My first "real" shotgun. I used give the squirrels and rabbits hell with that little shotgun.

March 16, 2011, 07:55 AM	#25
fadetoblack172 Member Join Date: January 20, 2011 Posts: 51	winchester model 12 20 gauge