Squirrel - 22 or 12 gauge?

[PossumSlayer]

What's the noise difference between 22lr and 17hmr? I don't want to have to fiddle with earplugs

It's not real loud, I never use ear plugs with it

 

[rickyk280]

CZ452 American 22lr wearing a Leupold VX-II 4-12X40 AO shooting either CCI Minimag HP or Wolf Match Target

Lot of good advice here, but I am with jbird on the 452 with the Leupold.

 

[Chickencoop96]

Be different, 17hmr

That will forever be known as the groundhog caliber lol

 

[TheLBLman]

If you load your shotgun with #8 lead loads,
you'll be extremely lucky to come home with many squirrels.
Squirrels have a very, very tough skin,
and #8 lead just doesn't have enough terminal energy to penetrate these tough rodents.

To me, the best overall lead shot size is #5.

While I enjoy squirrel hunting with a .22, I believe you'll enjoy leaning how to hunt squirrels, and actually come home with more, by using a shotgun (which is also generally safer).

 

[PossumSlayer]

That will forever be known as the groundhog caliber lol

Sure, explain how I've ear holed squirrels with it if it's a groundhog caliber.

 

[rem270]

I am pretty deadly with my Ruger American .22 with scope. I've mainly focused on head shots as of late. In August when KY fall season opens there's 5 or 6 of us that get together every year for the opener. We've been doing it 25+ years and just a fun time. We always use shotguns for that though. 6 people killed their 6 man limit in 2014 I believe it was. We usually average 20+ though.

 

[KPH]

I have been having a lot of fun lately with a 28ga. a lot of leaves on the trees makes a big difference.

 

[Flintlocksforme]

Pup treed a few the last couple of mornings, saw to it she got to naw on a few of them. Ruger Wrangler.22. When hunting with dogs we carry a .22 and a 20 or 12 gauge ideally if we don't won't any to get away. It's tough getting a shot with all the leaves or even finding them with a dog for that matter.

 

[HottyToddy]

Pup treed a few the last couple of mornings, saw to it she got to naw on a few of them. Ruger Wrangler.22. When hunting with dogs we carry a .22 and a 20 or 12 gauge ideally if we don't won't any to get away. It's tough getting a shot with all the leaves or even finding them with a dog for that matter. View attachment 139045

Pretty impressive shooting!

 

[PossumSlayer]

I think Mississippi just extended spring squirrel till August

 

[rickyk280]

Our spring season here in KY, goes out next Saturday.

 

[Flintlocksforme]

Pup treed a few the last couple of mornings, saw to it she got to naw on a few of them. Ruger Wrangler.22. When hunting with dogs we carry a .22 and a 20 or 12 gauge ideally if we don't won't any to get away. It's tough getting a shot with all the leaves or even finding them with a dog for that matter. View attachment 139045

We have until tomorrow in Tennessee I believe.

 

[Flintlocksforme]

We have until tomorrow in Tennessee I believe.

 

[HottyToddy]

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

Went with the bergara BMR. Got one on gunbroker NIB for $405.

 

[Hillbilly Hunter]

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.

Good advise when you use a shotgun.

 

[Swampster]

I've been going back and forth for weeks. Cheap side - ruger American rimfire or savage MK ii. For looks/reviews CZ 457. For being a true trainer - Tikka T1x (my main rifle is a T3x .308). Decisions decisions….

I really like my Browning lever action BL22. I bought it used probably twenty years ago.

 

[recurve60#]

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

I prefer modified choke with #4's. Doesnt ruin the meat.

 

[mr.big]

Old Brno Model 2 with a V16 Weaver scope.

 

[squirrel_hunter]

I squirrel hunt all the time. I use a 410 and i reload for them. Then i got a 28ga its hard to put it down. On the hot days i will reload ammo up for squirrel hunting. In 410 3 inch and 28 ga . The little mossberg 500 410 TSS turkey gun. With a full choke has killed alot of squirrels.

 

[david k.]

I have a CZ-455 with a Weaver 3-9 scope. It shoots lights out with just about anything I feed it and will shoot groups inside a dime at 50 yards all day long. I think its just about the perfect squirrel rifle.