Shot shells for squirrel question

I've always used #6 shot for squirrel. But I'm changing something up. Would 12g 1 1/8 oz 2 3/4" #7.5 through a full choke be adequate for tree rats? Im sure it's been done, and I've probably done it, I just don't remember how effective it was.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Go to bigger shot unless you really like picking it out of the meat

That was all I used, 2- 3/4" dove loads because I would dove hunt and squirrel hunt at the same time when seasons overlapped.

I like 6 shot for squirrel

#7.5 shot is ok for close range but #6 high brass from a full choke is what Daddy always recommended. #5 is probably even better when they're up in high tree tops.

all my grandkids say it cheating to use a shotgun lol their old granddaddy has taught them well they take pride in headshots with their .22s

Always used #6 high brass 20ga
My grandfather was a 16ga man and shot #6 high brass

I prefer to use a 22 but if I was to use a SG it would be with #5 shot for late season, and #6 otherwise.

Hold the bead towards their head, so as not to ruin the back and back legs.

hgcox said:

all my grandkids say it cheating to use a shotgun lol their old granddaddy has taught them well they take pride in headshots with their .22s

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I use a 22 probably 95 percent of the time. I do prefer a shotgun during the early season when the leaves are still thick.
My question revolves around me wanting to shoot paper shells...and 7.5 and 8 are all that's available. I've got some 7.5s on the way....will see how they do. If they don't work, I'll use for dove or rabbit...I just don't hunt them very often.

I loaded a box of 2 1/2" 410 #6s the other day for hunting with the pup. That little load will surprise you at what it can do but you gotta hold it right on'em. I think my Mossberg pump will hold 6 in the tube plus 1 in the barrel so there's backup.

I always thought a full choke in 410 was bad to try to teach a kid to shoot rabbits or squirrels, takes it a ways out to open up so not much fudge factor and the low amount of shot hurts also. Always loved a 20 for some reason and semi auto these days for the low recoil. Like 4-5-6 for rabbits and squirrels, have shot them a lot farther out than I should have been shooting, 22 for squirrels the last 40 some odd years, now I keep a couple boxes of 6 when I want to kill a limit in the shortest time possible, my sneaking up has snuck up and left for the most part lol

Growing up my dad always bought me high brass 6's or 7.5's. That what my gun patterned the best.

The main reason to use #6 is to reduce the shot in the meat. 6s will pass through some of the time, plus there are less shot.

I shot a fox squirrel with 1/2oz #6 410 2 1/2'' shell Saturday in a tree about 45' up and killed him 1 shot.

Having squirrel hunted a lot with both #6 & # 7 1/2, I now think #5 is overall better, especially where fox squirrels exist.

7 1/2's are the most deadly on young gray squirrels, but may not get the job done on a tough old male squirrel. #5s may be slight overkill on gray squirrels, but not on fox squirrels.

Squirrels have a very tough skin, and #6s usually are stopped by the far side skin. #5s are more likely to pass thru both sides, but often don't.

You have more risk of biting into a pellet with 7 1/2s.

TheLBLman said:

Having squirrel hunted a lot with both #6 & # 7 1/2, I now think #5 is overall better, especially where fox squirrels exist.

7 1/2's are the most deadly on young gray squirrels, but may not get the job done on a tough old male squirrel. #5s may be slight overkill on gray squirrels, but not on fox squirrels.

Squirrels have a very tough skin, and #6s usually are stopped by the far side skin. #5s are more likely to pass thru both sides, but often don't.

You have more risk of biting into a pellet with 7 1/2s.

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Tough skin? That's an understatement! And they like to hang on to it more so than any animal I know of. Skinning a deer is a breeze compared to skinning a mess of older squirrels , specially if they are cold.

Iglow said:

Tough skin? That's an understatement!

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Yes, their skin is the toughest of any critter.
Except for young gray squirrels, I think # 7 1/2s give you a disadvantage beyond.
But typically, most squirrels seen in the early fall will be young grays, across most of TN.

Use #5s, and you'll be prepared for whatever presents.

I haven't shot a squirrel with a shotgun in years as i prefer a 22. When i did, i used 5 shot. It gives better knock down power when they are high in the trees.

I always loaded #4's and used them when I wanted to kill and a .22 for hunting.

I really need to go now that I've got a .22 suppressor and see how that'll change things.

Early season I liked the shotgun, shoot one standing still and then the others as they scattered.

I just loaded 1/2 box of 12ga 3/4 oz #6 for tomorrow for squirrel dogging. Gonna take my turkey gun.