What's Your favorite For Squirrel Hunting?

[Junior1942]

My favorite is a 32 caliber Traditions Crockett Rifle.  I barely escaped an attack by a bulldog, so I haven't hunted with it since.  If I do, I'll have my SBH pistol.  The dog and I met in the woods, and he began growling at me and coming slowly toward me.  If he charged like it seemed he was about to do, my battle plan was to take my one and only shot, then grab the rifle by the muzzle and use it as a club.  Luckily, he backed off. 

[keith44]

...  If I ever live where I can squirrel hunt again I'd like to try a muzzleloader.   

Regards,

If you ever do I recommend a .32 cal flintlock.  An absolute blast to shoot and cheap too.

The dog and I met in the woods, and he began growling at me and coming slowly toward me.  If he charged like it seemed he was about to do, my battle plan was to take my one and only shot, then grab the rifle by the muzzle and use it as a club.  Luckily, he backed off. 

Hey Junior1942 in my Ky longrifle (.32 cal flintlock) 20 grains of 3F chronographs at 1,650 fps (patched roundball)  Considering most .22 long rifle loads run under 1,300 fps with 35-40 grain bullets, and .22 WMR rounds run around 1,800 fps.  I would not feel at all under gunned against a dog with a .32 cal muzzleloader.

Keith

[Higene]

Here's my Favorite.

[keith44]

"Low Wall" (?) very nice, what cal?

[Higene]

Savage Stevens 22 LR made in Canada.

[keith44]

nice rifle, I don't care what everyone else says.

[single action]

.56 smoothbore (28 ga)
.36 rifle
.410
In that order !

[Rolandedwinjohnson]

I have 3 good squirrel guns (OK 4 if you count the S&W 22A)

1) a Glenfield model 25, a tube fed 22LR (similar to the marlin 60 w/ tube) with a Simmons scope
2) a Marlin 883SS, 22Mag w/ a decent Bushnell 3X9 scope - very accurate to way out there, and
3) an old Stevens bolt action 410 shotgun with a tube magazine.

I've had the best luck with the little 410 and #4 shot, it loves to shoot squirrels.
I enjoy eating them.

[petemi]

For years it was my .32 cal. T/C Cherokee, patched round ball and 30 gr. fffg.  I sold the Cherokee because I could no longer use iron sights.  I recently came into a custom .32-20 Handi Rifle barrel, put a 4x32 on it and I'm impressed.  Very accurate with loads ranging from sub-sonic to 1600 fps.  This year, I think it will be my squirrel rifle of choice.  Here in MI we can run dogs after July 15 (coming next week).  I've got a new Feist, a new rifle, and no closed season on red squirrel so we'll warm up on them until September when the regular season opens.

I don't have a problem knocking bushy out of a tree with a rifle.  It's simple, I don't touch the trigger until he's well backed up by wood.  Sure, I could easily knock them out anywhere in a tree with a shotgun, but it is more fun to wait, maneuver, and plink him with a rifle.  I may not get as much meat for the pot, but I have a good time.  The dog works well; the squirrel's attention usually focuses on him, leaving me free to get positioned for the shot.

Pete

[Capt Gary]

Ruger 10/22, Clark trigger group, custom barrel, Hogue stock, Leupold scope.
Ruger 77/22 Mag, custom barrel, Leupold scope.
Ruger Mark III, Burris Scope.
Kimber HS .22, Leupold scope.
 
All are highly accurate and I have a hard time deciding which one to take next. Love squirreling with the .22.

[Empty Quiver]

Always was afraid of shooting into tree tops with a .22. Any advice from those of you who do?
 
 Anyway the last few squirrels have been taken as biproducts of bowhunting deer.

[scout4]

A .410 bore gun would be my 1st choice for squirrel hunting. I like the single shot hammer gun best, an Remington 3" #6 shot does a pretty good job! scout4<><

[keith44]

Scout, I would counter that the .410 is a good choice for squirrel when the leaves are on the trees, and one might want to or have the opportunity to take rabbits or quail or similar flushing game.  This is assuming an expert shotgunner is at the trigger.

[ironglow]

   I won't take issue with any other man's method with squirrel, and I'm sure there are more dedicated squirrel hunters here than myself.  My dear old Dad hunted squirrels with a shotgun... and I love him still, even though he has been gone now some 55 years..   I never could however, get used to biting onto lead pellets, while eating some fried squirrel.    To me it was espacially distasteful when the pellets were wrapped in squirrel fur..    That's why I use a rifle.
  I hunt rural enough areas, so I can just about know which direction houses lie within plausible range from my vantage point and try to pick shots accordingly, keeping a reasonably steep angle, so the return trip is more a "drop" than a shot.  In fact, my own recreational acreage about 5 miles from my house, has no homes within range from a falling .22 bullet.  For these reasons, I stay with .22 LR or less, usually CCI standards.
  So many rifles..hard to choose..  I have a Marlin 795 and an Anschutz "woodchucker" with adult size stock..but these are light for a steady offhand shot.  My 'first year model' 10/22 is more accurate than those made in the last 40 years.  Having given my grandson my Marlin 880SQ, I really like my CZ 452 Special for the job.  Occasionally, just for fun, I'll take my H&R .22 with homemade peep sights  (peeps are the only irons these old eyes can use).
  I am a cemetery administrator, so when my groundsman is not running his mower, I will take my Ruger .177 airgun there to knock off Chipmunks.  They like to dig down around the monuments, and the air rifle pellet is less likely to damage any stones.  Those red/green..Tru-Glo type sights, though not "irons" work well at reasonable ranges.

[tacklebury]

To me it was espacially distasteful when the pellets were wrapped in squirrel fur..    That's why I use a rifle.

Large part of why I don't use the .410 much on squirrel or rabbit.  I like takin em in the head with the 22 as you don't lose much meat and really, as long as you don't shoot em in the rear, that's the bulk of the meat anyway!    Really though, a good air rifle or pistol has some real bonuses if you can be patient and let em get in close.  I started my squirrel career killin reds with my Crosman 1377, but went to .410 the next year and .22 the following one, as my old man would allow.  Before I was allowed to shoot at game at all, I had to shoot 5 wasps in two on the weeds in our back 40.  Once I did that, we went into the woods and I shot a red squirrel through it's eye first shot.  I was glad he made me get to be a good shot prior to starting to hunt as I didn't lose much game.  Craziest shot I ever took with on a squirrel was with the .410 though and we had about a 10 acre opening that we'd planted trees in with a plan to let it go wild.  I stepped out of the edge of our woods only to see one barkin at me 100 yards off at the edge of the next woods.  I was so mad that I couldn't use the .22 I elevated about 1' over him and let er rip.  I was pretty surprised when the squirrel dropped.  I ran all the way over and there he was in a puddle of blood.  Closer inspection showed that 1 #7 pellet had passed through the bridge of his nose.  The shock musta knocked him out and he drown in his own blood.  I knew I'd gotten lucky though and never let myself get so mad as to repeat that again.  Long and short of it though was that I ate squirrel shot with birdshot that night without extra pellets. 

[scout4]

I understand with the rifles and I've hunted squirrels with .22 rifle a number of times, but was always concerned about shooting at anything in the trees. I figure the best way to hunt squirrels with a rifle once you locate them is to stop moving around, and wait for them to get moving about again and give the squirrel a chance to get on the ground, then make the shot. That way if squirrel decides to move at the trigger pull, and we miss?    the tiny bullet is'nt going where we don't want it. Now here's the thing about my .410 choice. I have to naturally get closer, not going to attempt a chancy long range shot. And really if you know the gun from practice shooting and patterning at different distances you can hold the bead over a bit to get enough shot charge into the squirrel head area for a clean kill. The single shot hammer gun is simple and reliable, and when push comes to shove will get the job done every time. You never need worry about the scope getting hit and messing up, or maybe loosing the clip? With a shell holder on the stock your shotgun the ammo is always handy. Extra shells go into shell holders on my hunting vest and are not easily lost. I'll take the .410! Thanks! scout4<><                                                                                       

[Rock Home Isle]

I enjoy using my .45 calibre TVM Flintlock...Words truly cannot describe the feeling of satisfaction from a successful hunt using a smoke-pole with a rock for the ignition.

[scout4]

You know what?...Whatever works best for ya!...muzzleloader ball, .22 bullet, shotgun. Just go hunt!  scout4<><

[redleg11b]

Hm2 is my favorite, but don't have anything to shoot them in anymore. I do love hunting squirrel with a suppressed LR. Had it out today shooting groundhogs too. 4 down with CCI segmented SSHP and all within 50 yards. Those were fun stalks   

[Rock Home Isle]

.36 caliber cva squirrel rifle and a t/c 56 smooth bore loaded with # 6's.

Hunted for years with a .32 calibre Blue Ridge or a Brown Bess Officers Model loaded with 1 1/4 oz of #5's or #6's...That white sulfur smoke is just awesome. 

[Capt Gary]

Can't decide. One trip it's my Ruger 10/22, Clark trigger group, Hogue stock, factory semi-bull barrel, 4X14 Leupold.
Next day it's my Ruger 77/22 Mag. Custom Green Mnt. target barrel, 6X18 Simmons....very accurate.
Or may Kimber K22 HS with 6X24 Simmons. Nice, great shooter..heavy to carry.
 
I also sometimes take out a custom Ruger #3 in a wildcat shortend and shaped Hornet that runs a 40gr Hornady at 2500 fps and is scary accurate. It wears a T16 Weaver and shoots better than anything else I own.....just takes awhile to build the loads.
A great friend developed the cartridge had a Pac Nor barrel chambered and installed and did all the stock work himself. Had RCBS make the dies and developed the loads.
We went out and shot it when it was all done and then he gave it to me.
My most prized possession.
 
Squirrel hunting is lots of fun and the firearms we use adds a ton to the fun.
 
I think I'll get up in the morning and try a few that have been coming around our new place in VA.

[ironglow]

  I once figured the .17 mach II had the potential to be a great "squirrel specialist" rifle..but it looks like the .17M2 is fast becoming moribund.

[45-70.gov]

beeman 177cal      6x scope now


was raised with  5mm sheridan  4x  scope
and a 177 benjamin pistol


the 12  is nice but overkill
that old ithaca37 full choke takes them out of a tree  wwwaaaayyy out there
with it  i like to sit and spot a few at once .....range....
...then unload before they make it to cover

[ironglow]

  I'm surprised so many go with black powder rifles.
 
  EQ;
     If you shoot steeply into the tree tops, when that bullet (or ball) comes back down, it will not be like a fired bullet, but rather a falling bullet..36 to 40 grains.  I don't see that as terribly dangerous, although I am still very cautious as to the direction of my shot and where buildings etc are located.  Where I hunt, I doubt a steeply angled .22 LR would reach any neighbors.
  If there is an engineer here, perhaps he/she can assess just how deadly a falling .22 bullet of 40 grains can be.

[ironglow]

  I found a couple calculators which help greatly in analyzing the situation..
      I have heard ( but can be corrected), that as a body falls, air resistance permits only so much speed, something like 100 mph.
  So I took a chart which converts mph to fps..  http://www.calculateme.com/Speed/MilesperHour/ToFeetperSecond.htm
  100 mph converts to146.67 fps.. 
 
  So then I went to a fps X weight = ft lbs  chart.  http://www.pyramydair.com/site/articles/formulas/
 
   If the 450 gr bullet/ball is doing 100 mph, that equals  1.91 ft lbs energy...  Even if it is doing 150 mph, that's still only 4.30 ft lbs... not" killing energy", as I see it.
 
  (My un-professional calculations)
 
      Yes, there is the possibility of ricochet..but where I hunt, I can't picture a ricochet that could reach any neighbors..
 
 
   BTW: Perhaps you will want to save those calculators..they can be very useful..

[BUGEYE]

back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, my dad flattened the end of a large nail and then filed it down to look like a tiny spoon with a sharp point.  where a shot went in the squirrel he could stick the spoon in the hole and gouge out the shot.

[ironglow]

back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, my dad flattened the end of a large nail and then filed it down to look like a tiny spoon with a sharp point.  where a shot went in the squirrel he could stick the spoon in the hole and gouge out the shot.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
    Now; that would probably be helpful..

[45-70.gov]

back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, my dad flattened the end of a large nail and then filed it down to look like a tiny spoon with a sharp point.  where a shot went in the squirrel he could stick the spoon in the hole and gouge out the shot.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
    Now; that would probably be helpful..

my dad should have had one of those
when he got that BB out of my finger
he used a hemostat....
..x-ray showed the BB against the bone...hanging in my reloading room today

[tattoo13]

10/22 Tac. Sol. barrel, Hogue stock, Tech Sights.
Just at 4 pounds loaded, and will flat out shoot.

[BUGEYE]

back when dinosaurs roamed the earth, my dad flattened the end of a large nail and then filed it down to look like a tiny spoon with a sharp point.  where a shot went in the squirrel he could stick the spoon in the hole and gouge out the shot.

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''
    Now; that would probably be helpful..

my dad should have had one of those
when he got that BB out of my finger
he used a hemostat....
..x-ray showed the BB against the bone...hanging in my reloading room today

45-70, what's hanging up, the xray, the BB or your finger?