6 and 7 for testing. Rifled slugs will not outperform smooth-bore barrels and are best for long-range applications. If possible, approach with the sun at your back. At .22 ranges, a 4-5X scope is the perfect magnification for zeroing in on a squirrels head from 25 to 40 yards while providing a wide field of view to track a moving target. That means I dont need the 40-plus-yard capability of a 12-gauge. Much like Northwoods grouse hunting, most squirrel hunting is done in tight quarters, and its nice to have a gun that can thrive in such an environment. Look for a slimmer 16g frame. It tends to be a personal preference. Winchester started making the single-shot Model 37 in 1936. It took awhile but eventually, the dog became accustomed to the sound of a gun shot and now, she no longer has that problem," Seacrist continued. At 69 I switched to the shotgun for clean kills and no wounding. This is for informational purposes only. When hunting with my hunting party for turkey, predators, and squirrels, the Mossberg 940 Pro 12 gauge shotguns have emerged as my favorite long-range long-range option. Always fun to get a new squirrel hunting rig! The first firearm I everreceived was a shotgun. 1 1/8 oz. Arriving home from school one Friday afternoon, at the age of 12, there sitting on the fireplace was a green box with the word Remington on it. I would consider 7 to small, I would go with 4 or 5 sized shot for squirrels. When it comes to squirrel hunting, it can be confusing to know what type of gun to use. The first question that comes to your mind is "what range should I zero my.22lr rifle for squirrel hunting?" When you discover an area with lots of sign, give it another 30-minute sit and so on and so forth until activity dwindles. But the HMR (a necked down .22 magnum casing with a .17 bullet) packs a considerable wallop on impact and can obliterate edible potions of a squirrel with anything besides a headshot. A portion of that compensation is reinvested in purchasing new products for review and for expenses associated with running the website. Instead, they reveal a hidden squirrel. The next thing to consider is the shot size. If you are hunting rabbits or squirrels the number of pellets that impact the animal can destroy the meat. with the hi-power, you get more distance. News; Hunting No one said whether we are hunting gray squirrels or fox. Then I go on a squirrel hunt and cook some squirrel and dumplings. Yes, a 22lr barrel needs a few shots to shoot a bit better like 5-25 shots. | Just $1 per month , Squirrels are fun to hunt, delicious to eat, and are found in hardwoods all over the country. I was unable to shoulder the shotgun correctly, consequently I received a large bruise on my bicep. I dont carry much into the squirrel woods a gun, ammo, bug dope, squirrel call, binoculars, maybe a jacket, and a bottle of water. If you want to up the challenge, grab a rifle. The way shotgun gauges are measured is how many lead balls the diameter of the barrel it takes to make a pound of lead. Lead is for the animals mentioned above and pheasants and other upland game. Those 3.5" shells seem to be a bit much for squirrels. JavaScript is disabled. This article will also touch on the difference between dove shot and birdshot, and why the size matters. Who named Bullet the squirrel in the Powerpuff Girls? There are some public lands where I hunt squirrels here in Illinois that dont allow rimfire rifles. They are solid pieces of lead with no spread. Squirrels have a relatively short attention span when spooked. Squirrel - As earlier mentioned, the 12 gauge shotgun is versatile, and you can effectively . But for 20 yards and under, you can edge a pattern toward the front end of a stationary target. As fall transitions into winter, food sources dwindle and squirrel populations become more concentrated. Like so many other forest hunts, the first indication that your quarry is near will likely be through sound swishing branches, claws scampering on tree bark, mast hulls pattering on the forest floor, the excited barks or low whistles of a squirrel that has spotted you or another potential threat. I had it drilled into my head from an early age that .22 LR bullets can travel 1 1-1/2 miles and you arent supposed to shoot them into the air. Especially if you want a head shot. Theres just not enough energy to reliably penetrate a squirrels hide and reach the vitals at normal shooting distances. So, depending on the distance I select the best one for the job. Not the best for small game. 2. Ive killed squirrels with 12, 16, and 20 gauge shotguns. The next step is to find the squirrel visually, which can be challenging when the trees are full of leaves in early autumn. Read Next: How to Train Your Own Squirrel Dog Like a Pro, Plus 4 Breeds to Consider. Manage Settings I find the two and a halfs just dont have the power to make those nose bleed shots. Shotgun slugs are big pieces of lead that carry a lot of energy. These allow you to shoot squirrels in the 20- to 25-yard range with accuracy. #4 shot is .130 in diameter, 192 pellets per ounce. For hunting any big game animal you should use rifled hollow point slugs. The purpose you have in mind will help you choose the right gun and ammo. If you are shooting slugs you can hunt almost all big game like hogs, pronghorn, deer, elk, and even . You don't want the recoil to shy them away from the opportunity to hunt. The first thing to remember is that an iron-sighted rifle can hit, What Bullet Mold For CVI.32 Caliber Squirrel Rifle Should You Use? Subsonic .22 loads combine the quiet pop of a .22 short with the skull-penetrating weight of a 40- or even 45-grain bullet. The .410 is probably the lightest, most compact option. It has a 26" barrel on it and I use the full choke. I use mine sparingly, and only when I know a squirrel is nearby and hiding. This article will discuss the ideal power range for a, How to Kill a Squirrel With a Bow If you have never hunted a squirrel before, it may be time to learn how to do so safely. When you're squirrel hunting, how far should you zero your 22? I can get 2 20 or 12 for the price of 1 410 box. Hunting Squirrels with a Shotgun Particularly in parts of the rural South, shotgunners are the dominant force in squirrel hunting. Brand: Thompson Center. Too, I can reload 3 .410 shells to one 12 gauge shell. Description. And while squirrels will die with a .17 pellet to the brain, the extra heft of the .22 adds a measure of assurance. Buckshot are big round lead balls that carry a lot of energy. In the early part off the season with some leaves still on the trees I use #4's. This item is in the category "Sporting Goods\Hunting\Gun Parts\Pistol Parts". Dont let my discrepancies with the shotgun deter you from taking one in your favorite patch of woods. I like high brass when I can find it. The limit for squirrels is 10 per hunter per day with a total possession limit of 20 squirrels total per hunter. You dont want the recoil to shy them away from the opportunity to hunt. A 12 gauge is one of the most versatile hunting shotgun gauges. As with the Ruger 10/22, every gun owner should on at least on 12 or 20 gauge shotgun. In addition to ammo, one should also consider the purpose of squirrel hunting when selecting a gun. Nifty Outdoorsman is a website about outdoor-related content. The reason buckshot is so deadly is that instead of getting hit with one projectile like a pistol you get hit by 12 with the same energy. Its really rewarding to be able to relive those thoughts both through past experiences and with tools from the past that helped you accomplish your task. I use hi-power 6's. They'd give them a 12 gauge, buckshot and a bag of rice and let them go after the VC. When considering the .410 for a squirrel shotgun, make sure it can take a three inch shells. My comments are for entertainment purposes only and indicate only what actions I might take in a given situation. If using birdshot you can take down squirrels, rabbits, doves, quail, pheasants, ducks, and geese. Use the information you learn responsibly. but if you look at the ammo sold for each, many game loads are 1oz in a 20 gauge..same payload as my 12 gauge ammo choice. But often, even a shotgun blast just reveals more squirrels as they bark and maneuver to get a better view of whats going on. Where I live, some places the shotgun is the only gun allowed for hunting. It comes mounted with a 3-9x40mm Gamo scope, capable of resisting the catastrophic two-directional recoil created by an airgun. As with the 12 vs 20 gauge, the 10 gauge holds more pellets and has more energy and more recoil. The higher the number on the box means the smaller the shot size. Otherwise, its a damn good gun for the price (under $450). Since I own a lot of it, thats usually what Im wearing, but any olive-drab, darker greens or browns will be fine. The bullet will travel from 1.5" below the, What Is The Best Air Gun For Squirrel Hunting, What is the Best Air Gun For Squirrel Hunting? However, shells for the 28 gauge can be found online. So Ive really gotten into using different models of sub-gauge shotguns, and become a little obsessed with collecting more small-bore shotguns for pursuing fox squirrels and grays. You can use a shotgun, rimfire rifle, PCP, or air rifle. Johnny's Reloading BenchAn idiot and his reloading press My affiliate links and donation options are on my Author Page. Good deal? Short-Range Shotgunning Can Open up Additional Hunting Opportunities Across the nation,. Its an awesome-shooting gas gun at a respectable price point ($655). Love it! Gauge/Caliber: 30-40 Win. It's light enough to tote comfortably for miles, throws plenty of pellets, is easy on the shoulder, and you can find loads everywhere. I ended up shooting a squirrel with my grouse loads (Win AA 1145 fps 1 1/8 #8). Patience, as they say, is a virtue. Another gray squirrel perched on an oak limb, its tail flicking with every bark. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. ReadyRest Shotgun Rest Accessory and Holder for Sporting Clays, Trap Shooting, Pheasant and Dove. | Can't imagine traveling out of state to poach squirrels. So if you reload the .410 really shines. Try Float Hunting Squirrels for Excitement. If you want to use it to kill squirrels, you can try sabot slugs. Twelve is probably the most popular gauge used for squirrels, mainly because its the most popular shotgun gauge. Top Brands available; Federal, Hornady, Malaysian, Alexander, Tula, Wolf, Privi Partizan, Gemtech, Aguila, PMC, Selier & Bellot, Magtech, LSK Lapua, Geco With offering reliable & fast shipping service, Our goal at Outdoor Limited is to provide you great services and best price. Choke options should be limited to modified or full. The Mossberg SA line has been a reliable one for years, and when the .410 Field model debuted in 2019 I added it to the list. Overall I think it is the best option for most scenarios when squirrel hunting! The Best Ammo for Squirrel Hunting Once you've decided on a squirrel gun, you'll need to select the right ammo for squirrels. The term "gauge" defines the barrel's diameter while the number refers to the lead weight that will fit inside a gun's barrel. In autumn, squirrels start feeding before the crack of dawn and are on a mission to pack on as much fat and bury as many caches as they can before winter hits. The ammo can adds another $5. Lack of effective range is another reason. I bet you expert squirrelshot-gunners thought Id leave this one out, didnt you? Journal Entry 11/08/2013 Spur of the Moment, Journal Entry 11-09-2013 Squirrels Everywhere, Journal Entry 11/28/2013 Thanksgiving Day, Journal Entry 12/27/2013 Squirrel Squad, Journal Entry 11/28/14 Fox Squirrel Friday, Journal Entry 12/06/14 Squirrel Sniper Alpha Team, Journal Entry 12/13/14 Squirrel Sniper Alpha Team Take 2, Journal Entry 12/27/14 Squirrel Rut Cubed, Journal Entry 01/19/15 Huntin with the Gunsmith, The Squirrel I Couldnt Kill (Guest post by KY Jim), Suppressed Squirrel Hunting November 2015, Suppressed Squirrel Hunting December 2015, Squirrel Hunting October 2013 December 2013, The Question Every Male Squirrel Hates to Hear, *RECIPES ARE NOW IN BETWEEN THE LAST TWO PHOTOS ON THE HOMEPAGE*, Adjustable Objective vs. Set Parallax Scopes, Tuning Your Squirrel Rifle During the Off Season, Feddersen 10/22 Tennessee Ridgerunner Review, The CZ 452 American: My Favorite Squirrel Rifle. 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This article will also touch on the distance I select the best option for scenarios... And birdshot, and why the size matters 4 shot is.130 in diameter, pellets! Discrepancies with the shotgun deter you from taking one in your favorite patch of woods be confusing to know type., shotgunners are the dominant force in squirrel hunting, how far should you use squirrel populations more...