Savage 24S/D 22lr/20ga

[dxtsniper]

Hey everyone! My mom recently gave me my uncles old savage 24s/d that has sat in the gun case under a dressser in her bedroom for the last 25yrs unused. The gun is in beautiful shape except for the sling that had rotted at the plastic bushings where the brass met the leather. I fixed this by braiding a 55paracord sling for it using the existing hardware. My question is what is a good  20ga shell for this thing for squirel hunting here in KY? It takes 2 1/2 -3" shells. Up untill now I have only bow hunted since I was 16 and am now 35 but would like to get my 4yr old son out during squirel season this year to tag along with me. Thanks for any info.

[BUGEYE]

when I used a shotgun, it was mostly short 6s for squirrels but mostly I used a 22 rifle.
he will have a lot of fun with the rifle barrel.
you also have a great heirloom.

[chefjeff]

Great gun for the use you have. Try three inch #6 's along with whatever .22 bullet it shoots best. Shoot 'im with the rimfire first if still,or bust 'im with the shotgun if on the fly! I had one uncle leave me a custom mauser, glad to hear you got one from the family!

[pastorp]

Well Chef, you ever cook squirrels?    3" 20 ga. 6's is really your recomendation???
 
Regards,

[chefjeff]

Yeah, but they're not my favorite. Prefer rabbit. The shot up ones go to the dogs anyway. I prefer a 12 ga.for everything, so the 3" 20 gets there For me. They are pricey though, and 2&3/4 are much easier to find.Savage made that 24 in a .22 mag version also,and with an appropriate three inch shotshell,is capable of downing anything I might see in my area.They didn't nickname me Chefjeff for playing checkers. Regards.

[pastorp]

Well Cheff,
 
I would imagine all the squirrels will be fed to the dogs if you use 3" shells for them. Thats a lot of shot for a small animal like a squirrel.    Actually I would preffer to use the 22lr barrel. And take head shots only........You'll have more edible meat that way.
 
Regards,

[chefjeff]

Well Pastor,I too prefer my small game to be headshot with a rimfire.That being said, how much shot you put in your target is a function of how your gun patterns a given shotshell and the range at which you acquire that target.Certainly more shot payload and powder will give you more effective range. Also, if you have a close shot with a fat load ,you don't have to center your target in the pattern,so as to reduce damage. Kinda like "barking one" except with a shotgun.Early season,leaves on the trees,or moving targets,extended ranges, I'll take the more powerful shotshell every time.