Author Topic: Small game ? (Read 7772 times)

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #30 on:** August 04, 2011, 11:39:51 AM »

Quote from: Ken ONeill on July 25, 2011, 12:35:43 PM

I've used Single-Sixes, Mk. I and II autoloaders, Contenders and FA revolvers since I began squirrel hunting with handguns in 1961.
I'm guessing you might live in Pa. where autoloaders aren't legal. They're legal in N.C., where I live, but the .17's aren't. I'm told, though, that the .17's do a great job on tree squirrels.
The .45/410 T/C handguns aren't legal for hunting squirrels here, either, but I've used one in other states, and they're a hoot.
Your choice of either a Contender or Single Six Hunter will fill your need well, and either can be readily scoped when that day comes... and it almost certainly will.

Great News for Tarheel small game hunters! Since I posted the above on July 25, I've received a copy of the just published new N.C. Hunting Regulations for 2011-2012. Beginning this season, "There are no restrictions on caliber or barrel length" for hunting small game. In other words, the .17's, the T/C .410's and by gosh, even the .500's will be legal for small game!

butchen · « **Reply #31 on:** August 04, 2011, 12:12:00 PM »

I've got my 500s&w out camoing it right now getting ready. just can't wait for the first little POP of a squirrel going into a pink mist.....

S.B. · « **Reply #32 on:** August 04, 2011, 02:13:38 PM »

Quote from: butchen on August 04, 2011, 12:12:00 PM

I've got my 500s&w out camoing it right now getting ready. just can't wait for the first little POP of a squirrel going into a pink mist.....

You should try eating what you kill? Very good meals. A couple of years back and friend and I were down near Ol' Shawny Town on Round Lake and were invited to a cookout. They served deep fried squirrel, Jalepeno hush puppies, and lake caught Croppies, we supplied the beer, stuffed our selvers, very tasty!
My family used to get together in one of the kids garage and one daughter would bar-b-que racoon(other daughter made homemade BBQ sauce) and someone else would bring coleslaw, someone else would bring baked beans or whatever. Served anyone who was willing to stop and contribute something of food value.
Steve

butchen · « **Reply #33 on:** August 04, 2011, 03:26:12 PM »

When I was a kid in the back woods of Mississippi, we were very poor and when the hog or beef that we killed ran out that winter, all meat we had to eat was what we killed. I love squirrel and dumplings. My boys love rabbit cooked with whole taters and onions in a crockpot. And who can forget the deer camp stew, which was all the fix'ins plus what was killed the day before (which could be about anything with nuts I ran around with). We don't hunt for fun, we eat what we kill and don't hang it on a wall. Well some things get hung on the wall.......lol.........I just was making light of what "Ken ONeill" said about what they could hunt with. He added the 500 and it is very cool to see the pink mist when something little and furry is hit with my 500S&W. It was all in good fun.

tacklebury · « **Reply #34 on:** August 05, 2011, 07:40:12 PM »

Quote from: jlwilliams on July 24, 2011, 09:59:29 AM

As a kid and teen I used to use a Crosman 1377 pump up air pistol for squirreling. I laid many a bushy tail low with that little pellet gun. It's been years since I've really thought about using a handgun for small game. I'll have to look into it and see if I can use a 22 handgun for small game around here.

It's just too much fun. I want in.

+1 on the Crosman 1377. I shot a lot of squirrels with that. When I actually bought my first rimfire pistol, it made it seem really easy.

I use my H&R Model 903 .22 LR 9-shot target pistol with a 6" barrel and iron sights. These days, it's not as easy for me though these days. Must be the age thing.

grnoah · « **Reply #35 on:** August 06, 2011, 05:26:46 AM »

Never tried my hand at squirrels but many a groundhog has fallen to my raging bull 454 casull

S.B. · « **Reply #36 on:** August 06, 2011, 08:20:17 AM »

I've eaten many of those also, grnoah.
Steve

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #37 on:** August 07, 2011, 05:33:02 PM »

I recently bought one of those new fangled Ruger Chargers to hunt squirrels with. After zeroing it from a bench, I knew it was deadly accurate (same hole at 40 yards with Green Tag ammo), but very unwieldy. You can't shoot it like a pistol because it's too bulky, and you can't shoot it like a rifle because you can't shoulder it. It's great with the bipods on a level surface, but for shooting offhand it's nearly useless. Should have bought a single-six.

S.B. · « **Reply #38 on:** August 07, 2011, 06:16:25 PM »

Quote from: Mike in Virginia on August 07, 2011, 05:33:02 PM

I recently bought one of those new fangled Ruger Chargers to hunt squirrels with. After zeroing it from a bench, I knew it was deadly accurate (same hole at 40 yards with Green Tag ammo), but very unwieldy. You can't shoot it like a pistol because it's too bulky, and you can't shoot it like a rifle because you can't shoulder it. It's great with the bipods on a level surface, but for shooting offhand it's nearly useless. Should have bought a single-six.

Would really like to see some pictures of that one hole at 40 yards, please?
Steve

Old Griz · « **Reply #39 on:** August 20, 2011, 10:03:27 PM »

My favorite tree rat collector is my S&W 617. I've taken more with it than any other gun I own.

S.B. · « **Reply #40 on:** August 22, 2011, 08:55:49 AM »

I don't see any reason why a handgun couldn't be used in something like this? One of my sons and I are really considering doing this one, this year. Would really like to see some of you handgun hunters down there if we go?http://www.marlinowners.com/forums/index.php/topic,88168.0.html
Steve

temmi · « **Reply #41 on:** August 22, 2011, 10:25:02 AM »

My brother has a 17HMR... it is very nice.

It is now mine

ratgunner · « **Reply #42 on:** August 27, 2011, 03:37:51 PM »

Wow this topic really took off

. Looks like alot of other small game handgunners here. Anyways today I bought a Ruger Single Six convertable .22, havent shot it yet cause of the hurricane. I got the 6.5" blued model.

redleg11b · « **Reply #43 on:** August 28, 2011, 03:37:20 AM »

First handgun small game kill and an antler found by my son...
http://i560.photobucket.com/albums/ss50/hersh5317/90b276c2.jpg
Looking forward to squirrel season

. Contender 14" LR bbl with 4x pistol scope. 90% dum dum lollipop kills at 25 yards which should translate to 85% cns hits on squirrel out to about 50 yards. As always, only gonna shoot when I am confident of the clean kill, but have to leave margin of human error in there.

S.B. · « **Reply #44 on:** August 28, 2011, 06:33:14 AM »

redleg11b, sounds like a winner but, what do you figure the central nervous system of a squirrel measures?
Steve

redleg11b · « **Reply #45 on:** August 28, 2011, 08:36:31 AM »

About the size of a large soybean for a brain. Add stem and spinal cord in neck and you have a little less than a Tootsie roll pop area to hit within to get the desired effect. Been working that principle with the rifles for 15 years. Can't say I've never had a crawl off or a clean miss, but when I hit within that area of my POA its meat for the pot.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #46 on:** August 28, 2011, 08:46:10 AM »

Quote from: redleg11b on August 28, 2011, 08:36:31 AM

About the size of a large soybean for a brain. Add stem and spinal cord in neck and you have a little less than a Tootsie roll pop area to hit within to get the desired effect. Been working that principle with the rifles for 15 years. Can't say I've never had a crawl off or a clean miss, but when I hit within that area of my POA its meat for the pot.

the brain is much larger than that. ate a million of'em as a kid.

The Old Redneck · « **Reply #47 on:** September 10, 2011, 11:12:11 AM »

Have enjoyed this thread. Been guilty of shooting all kind of little critters with handguns over the years. Used rimfire and centerfire,in revolvers, semi-autos, single shots, bolt actions, etc. anything that shoots a projectile, even BB's. Handguns put the sport back into small game hunting.

odoh · « **Reply #48 on:** September 11, 2011, 06:59:01 AM »

Me & my best friend Fred were coworkers at a military installation and share a deep appreciation for guns. During a Base realignment he transferred to a Base in a rocky mountain state. He had a knack for making friends. He hung out at the many gunshops making acquaintances w/the locals and got invited on a prarie dog shoot.
On the appointed morn he shows up as a 'new guy' and was extended courtesy of the opening shot. No one paid much attn to his fat barrel Ruger #1 he was setting up across his pickup hood as he was eying a prairie dog on a mound about 100yds away. When he launched the 500gr slug from that 458Win Mag shouts of exclamation was drowned out in the roar. Pink mist? If so, it went unnoticed in the approx cubic yard of earth/dust from what used to be a mound. Never found the intended and surmise it ran into the next county ~

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #49 on:** September 12, 2011, 03:24:33 PM »

I think we need some pictures for the squirrel and rabbit hunters who are anxiously awaiting their seasons!

Dand · « **Reply #50 on:** September 12, 2011, 07:31:51 PM »

Nice photos! Handgunning for small game is great fun. I generally use my Ruger Mk 2 6 7/8 heavy barrel 22lr for rabbits and grouse. I've taken a few with my Colts 4 5/8 NF too. Really enjoy my Security 6 with moderate 38 loads, even my 41 mag with cast swc bullets.

tatonka · « **Reply #51 on:** September 14, 2011, 02:56:02 AM »

I have a T/C Contender with a 10: match barrel that will nail a squirrel out to 75 yards with regularity. It has a Burris 2-7 scope on top of it. It is the first pistol with which I took 5 tree rats out of the same tree. I was using CCI SGB's. It was a large hickory tree. There were 8 grays in the same tree that morning. Good shooting.

tacklebury · « **Reply #52 on:** September 14, 2011, 05:50:42 PM »

Nice pics.

I really wish we had Jackrabbits here. lol Guess I'll just have to abide my cotton tails.

outinaswamp · « **Reply #53 on:** April 23, 2013, 03:26:39 AM »

I'm a newbie to shooting and hunting. I've been researching single action revolvers that would be good for plinking and small game hunting. I also spend a lot of time hiking, fishing and working in the woods so a kit gun in 22lr sounds like the way to go. Right now I'm interested in a Bearcat or a Single Ten. What do you folks think of these options? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #54 on:** April 23, 2013, 04:18:35 AM »

Quote from: outinaswamp on April 23, 2013, 03:26:39 AM

I'm a newbie to shooting and hunting. I've been researching single action revolvers that would be good for plinking and small game hunting. I also spend a lot of time hiking, fishing and working in the woods so a kit gun in 22lr sounds like the way to go. Right now I'm interested in a Bearcat or a Single Ten. What do you folks think of these options? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

Both nice guns. For ease of carry and small size, the Bearcat fits the bill. Problem with the Bearcat is, because of its small grip, and poor sights (Grooved top strap and rounded front) it is a hard gun to shoot accurately. The full size single 6 / 10, with its bigger grip and adjustable sights is a better choice for accuracy, and don't carry bad in a good holster. To my mind, the perfect Ruger kit gun would be a Bearcat with oversized grips, and adjustable sights with a Patridge front...

Larry

outinaswamp · « **Reply #55 on:** April 23, 2013, 06:18:03 AM »

Thank you Larry,

I don't have large hands, so I'm not sure how much of a problem I'd have with the grip. The sights are a different story. Hopefully there's a local gun shop nearby where I can at least handle both to see which one feels more comfortable in my hand.

223fan · « **Reply #56 on:** May 15, 2013, 03:43:48 PM »

Ihave used a S&W 22a ,T/C223 down loaded tom 22mag velocities,and Taurus gaucho in357 down loaded all with good results. I plan on using a gsg 1911-22 and a sling shot this year. I do love squirrel hunting. They have replaced deer as my favorite game.

FPH · « **Reply #57 on:** May 15, 2013, 03:47:51 PM »

Quote from: tacklebury on September 14, 2011, 05:50:42 PM

Nice pics. I really wish we had Jackrabbits here. lol Guess I'll just have to abide my cotton tails.

Who eats Jacks anyway?

popplecop · « **Reply #58 on:** May 17, 2013, 01:25:53 PM »

Have an old S&W K-22 5 Screw, this is a premodel number with the thin ribbed barrel. This is my chosen handgun for squirrels, loves CCI SMG ammo.

twoshooter · « **Reply #59 on:** May 17, 2013, 04:03:46 PM »

If you reload, you might want to consider a 32 also. Light loads are extremely accurate and quieter than a 22 mag by far. Cast bullets are very inexpensive also, and you don't have to depend on the supply at Wally World or the LGS. I have looked for a Single Six in 32 mag for quite awhile but not found one reasonable, almost had a trade a few months ago. You can get a contender barrel easier.