Squirrel - 22 or 12 gauge?

[HottyToddy]

Never have hunted squirrels, but since I'll be brand new to TN and TN public lands, I figure it's a good way to learn the area. I currently have a few 12 gauges, but don't have a 22. How many of y'all hunt squirrels with a 12 gauge? Seems like unnecessary meat damage to me (having never done it), but I'm willing to entertain it. I really want to buy a 22 because 1) I like buying new guns, and 2) I think everyone needs at least one 22.

With that being said, you 22 guys and gals, what's your setup? I'm planning on going bolt and was eyeing a 2-7x33 VX Freedom. Let me know if that sounds like a bad plan! Would love to see some pics of y'all's small game setups (shotgun or rimfire)

Thanks!

 

[Teacher]

Ruger 10/22 is a fine setup, but they have really gotten expensive lately.

 

[HottyToddy]

Ruger 10/22 is a fine setup, but they have really gotten expensive lately.

I know the 10/22 is THE 22, but I'm leaning bolt to use it for practice with my bolt center fires. Just with staying in the scope, spotting shots, and cycling the bolt. A lot easier to stomach $0.10/shot than $1.50/shot.

 

[BigRod]

Bad lighting but this is my set up. RUGER 10/22 rebuilt with a 1 pound trigger, red dot and a synthetic stock.

 

[HottyToddy]

View attachment 138632
Bad lighting but this is my set up. RUGER 10/22 rebuilt with a 1 pound trigger, red dot and a synthetic stock.

Good looking gun! You use no magnification? What's your comfortable range for a head shot?

 

[BigRod]

Good looking gun! You use no magnification? What's your comfortable range for a head shot?

Thanks! No magnification at all. It's been a while but I'd feel best at 25 yards

 

[BigRod]

I also hunt them with shotguns. In a highly infested area I go 22 but when they're just here and there I go with a 12 gauge and 20 gauge. Top is a Remington model something another 12 gauge and the bottom one is my sons youth 870 in 20. Middle one is my duck gun, she stays kept up

 

[HottyToddy]

I also hunt them with shotguns. In a highly infested area I go 22 but when they're just here and there I go with a 12 gauge and 20 gauge. Top is a Remington model something another 12 gauge and the bottom one is my sons youth 870 in 20. Middle one is my duck gun, she stays kept up

How's the meat damage? I'm assuming if you go with something like an 8 shot and IC choke it's probably not horrendous, but still more than a 22 to the head!

 

[BigRod]

How's the meat damage? I'm assuming if you go with something like an 8 shot and IC choke it's probably not horrendous, but still more than a 22 to the head!

The top 12 is factory full (to old to have one ) and doesn't tear them up that bad. You can also shoot from different distances and get the same results. Close range with the 20 will do some damage but yet again it's not like blowing them up. The 20 has a modified choke in it. Can't recall what brand name in specific, but it's made for ducks and apparently squirrel too

 

['borohunter]

.22 is the way to go IMHO. If you're hunting a WMA very close to homes or poor set up (i.e. can't shoot up into trees because too close to structures or neighborhoods, etc.) use a shotgun. Otherwise .22

 

[Pilchard]

I shot 4 of them a couple weeks ago with a 410. Still too much meat damage for my liking. I prefer a .22 but decided to take the shotgun because my grandfather had just given it to me a month or so ago.

The biggest problem with a .22 is the green leaves on the trees. It's a heck of a lot easier to hit one with a shotgun as you don't need to wait for the squirrel to be perfectly still in a place with no obstructions.

Three of the four I killed were shots I wouldn't have taken with a .22.

 

[HottyToddy]

I shot 4 of them a couple weeks ago with a 410. Still too much meat damage for my liking. I prefer a .22 but decided to take the shotgun because my grandfather had just given it to me a month or so ago.

The biggest problem with a .22 is the green leaves on the trees. It's a heck of a lot easier to hit one with a shotgun as you don't need to wait for the squirrel to be perfectly still in a place with no obstructions.

Three of the four I killed were shots I wouldn't have taken with a .22.

Good point about more opportunities with a shotty. If I had a .410 I would be more inclined to use it (still would probably prefer a 22) but since I don't, I'd rather put the money towards a 22 than a .410 (for now. I'm sure I'll end up with both at some point )

 

[Pilchard]

What part of Nashville did you end up in? I am in Brentwood but if I recall, you are moving from Naples?

 

[Buzzard Breath]

I hunt them quite a bit and use both a .22 and a shotgun (20 gauge); it depends on the circumstances and whether I want to eat squirrels or not. With the 20 gauge, I shoot a full choke and larger shot sizes, 6's or 4's. There's really not much meat damage and the larger shot does a better job of fully penetrating the squirrel with less picking shot out of the meat.

 

[HottyToddy]

What part of Nashville did you end up in? I am in Brentwood but if I recall, you are moving from Naples?

That's correct! Was up there last weekend scoping out some areas. Working on finalizing a place right on the hermitage/donelson line. Hoping this one works out and the search ends. The rental market up there moves crazy fast!

 

[HottyToddy]

I hunt them quite a bit and use both a .22 and a shotgun (20 gauge); it depends on the circumstances and whether I want to eat squirrels or not. With the 20 gauge, I shoot a full choke and larger shot sizes, 6's or 4's. There's really not much meat damage and the larger shot does a better job of fully penetrating the squirrel with less picking shot out of the meat.

Interesting… I was honestly planning on the exact opposite approach (as stated above. Size 8, IC choke) but what you're saying makes sense

 

[Buzzard Breath]

Interesting… I was honestly planning on the exact opposite approach (as stated above. Size 8, IC choke) but what you're saying makes sense

Shooting squirrels with a shotgun is a lot like turkey hunting, in that you're generally shooting at an animal that isn't moving much and you're able to aim right at it. The larger shot works good because you'd be picking 8 shot out of the meat all day.

I would definitely get a .22 for hunts later in the season when the tree canopy is gone. It also gives you a good excuse to buy a new gun.

 

[Buzzard Breath]

If you want to get excited about squirrel hunting, look-up some of @redblood posts in this section. He's a diehard and I think he only uses a .22

 

[backyardtndeer]

For a bolt action 22, I would consider a savage. If money wasn't too tight, would look at bergara's

 

[BuckWild]

I use a shotgun with number 6 shot in the early season then after the leaves drop off, I go to the .22 rifle.

My Dad strictly forbad us to shoot a .22 rifle up in the air when we were growing up. We always used shotguns.

When the leaves fall, I normally hike out on the ridgetops and sit and hunt. 99.9% of my .22 rifle shots are down at the ground or the main part of the tree trunk.