Author Topic: Small game ? (Read 7528 times)

ratgunner · « **on:** July 23, 2011, 02:48:29 PM »

Anybody else shoot squirrels and things with a pistol ? I did it years ago and miss it. Thinking about a rimfire Ruger single six hunter

BUGEYE · « **Reply #1 on:** July 23, 2011, 02:55:35 PM »

well you chose a nice gun. I quit squirrel hunting with a rifle about 4 years and went too an eaa 22/22mag and a S&W 22A someday I hope to actually kill one. I'm old and shaky so it's not looking good. good luck to you. it'll be fun.

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** July 23, 2011, 03:00:44 PM »

That's a good choice. I still use a Ruger Gov't Model for my field 22, and it never misses. I also use my Walther P22 and if I don't hit'm I can sure chase'm. It is tons of fun. Get a bunch of extra magazines so you don't run out of ammo (ha!).

ratgunner · « **Reply #3 on:** July 23, 2011, 03:05:41 PM »

LOL thanx guys. Ive shot some before but currently dont have a rimfire pistol.I used to use a muzzleloader but Im getting too lazy to clean them after a hunt. Also was wondering are those single sixes made in .17 HMR ? And we cant use autoloaders in my state so it's gonna be a revolver or single shot.

gr8ful · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2011, 03:09:35 PM »

just got a 14" 22lr barrel for my contender that I plan on hunting with this season.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #5 on:** July 23, 2011, 03:43:16 PM »

Never shot a tree squirrel with a pistol, but use them often on ground squirrels here in the west...also cottontails, and forest grouse a game often taken with pistols...Used my k22 some, but lately have been using large bore sixguns with some cast loads...it is legal here, and safety not an issue...I just saw a nice single six in 17 hmr......

Higene · « **Reply #6 on:** July 23, 2011, 04:31:18 PM »

I was chronoing some rounds at the range and the guy next to me asked if he could chrono his single six. He pulled 1995 fps with a stainless Single Six Hunter in 17 HMR - good looking pistol.

butchen · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2011, 05:26:12 PM »

Just traded for a 10" contender barrel just for that......I been hunting with a ruger mk1, or before there was a mk in the name of a ruger 22 pistol, for 30+ years so I thought I would go to a "one shooter" to make it a little harder and more fun. If you work at it and take your time(more like dear or turkey hunting, more waiting than stalking) it's a ton of fun and you get a lot of looks when you come in with the limit. I love it and would not hunt for squirrel any other way. I'm just worried that I will fall to the lure of a scope and not use iron sights.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #8 on:** July 24, 2011, 02:52:48 AM »

I tried a red dot on my 22A but that dot jumped around in a 6ft circle. I guess that's why I haven't killed anything in 4 years of trying.

DanChamberlain · « **Reply #9 on:** July 24, 2011, 03:35:17 AM »

Higene · « **Reply #10 on:** July 24, 2011, 09:29:45 AM »

Are those fox squirrels?

DanChamberlain · « **Reply #11 on:** July 24, 2011, 09:42:27 AM »

Yes they are.

Dan

jlwilliams · « **Reply #12 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.

buck460XVR · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2011, 01:13:13 PM »

I like to use my Buckmark for squirrels. I don't get many, but shootin' is more fun than cleanin' anyway.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #14 on:** July 24, 2011, 01:34:35 PM »

I think I read somewhere that the 17hmr didn't tear'em up when used in a revolver.
I'll bet that the 20gr would be perfect.

Ladobe · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2011, 09:42:22 AM »

Started using a High Standard HD Military in the late 50's for cook pot fodder and vermin (still have it). For the same duty I added 2 Ruger Bearcats mid to late 60's, a Contender in '68, and in '71 a Colt NF Buntline Convertable and Ruger Super Bearcat just for tree squirrels when I moved to the central CA coast where they were knee deep. Somewhere in there I also bought a S&W 22/32 Kit gun that was also used sometimes. Been too many other rimfire handguns since then to remember them all.

Cook pot fodder on the ranch I grew up on was anything that was edible with fur, feathers or fins... vermin just about anything else.

I'm a huge fan of the 17HMR and 17HM2, but other than the 14" Contender barrels for both of them I bought I've had no other handguns chambered for them. The 17's replaced all my rimfire long guns though, both 22LR and 22MAG.

That Ruger Hummer would be a lot of fun, but its too bad they didn't make it a convertable for both of the 17's IMO.

Nice picture and brace of squirrels there Dan...

L.

BUGEYE · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2011, 09:53:02 AM »

Ladobe, it also has the mach2 cylinder. make it a mighty fine gun.

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #17 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.

bcraig · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2011, 02:15:59 PM »

yes ,I handgunexclusively for many years and tried an HR top open 22 a Smith Model 41 heavy barrel,Ruger 5 1/2 bull barrel Auto,etc .while they all took game I settled on a 10 inch Contender with a SSK Match barrel and a 4x Leupold. Less than 1/2 groups at 50 with CCI Mini-Mags Hollowpoints. I would most of the time sit by a den tree and almost lay down so I could rest gun either over or alongside my leg. I wasn,t much on a running squirrel but if one was sitting still it was a goner ! did a easy trigger job on it and it was so easy to shoot. Carried easily as well . I didn,t use a holster but always wore a game vest of the type that the back of the vest is a pouch that you could slip small game into. It also had a large zippered pocket on both sides and that is where I carried the handgun. Distributed the weight real well and also I could put sandwiches and a drink and compass etc in the other pocket. In fact i liked the setup so much I wore and carried the handgun the same way when i was deer hunting with it(10 inch 44 Mag Barrel)I MUCH prefered the 10 inch barrel for portability over the 14 inch barrel.

Ladobe · « **Reply #19 on:** July 25, 2011, 04:50:02 PM »

Quote from: BUGEYE on July 25, 2011, 09:53:02 AM

Ladobe, it also has the mach2 cylinder. make it a mighty fine gun.

I didn't know it came with both, so thanks for that info. I prefer the old model Ruger's, so hadn't really looked at them. Like the Colt Buntline that almost always was used with just the 22LR cylinder, if I had one of these Rugers it too would mostly see 17HM2 duty. Just like that round much better for edible small game than the 17HMR.

rockbilly · « **Reply #20 on:** July 26, 2011, 09:12:30 AM »

I don’t recall the exact date, but sometime in the late 40s, early 50s I inherited an H & R 933 (Hunter Model) from my grandfather. It is a 10 inch, octagon barrel, 9 shot revolver. It went on many hunting trips with me over the years and was used to take “pot” meat for several camps. I also used it quite a bit for hunting while stationed in Georgia and Louisiana in the military. I can’t say how many rabbits and squirrels I took over the years with the little gun, but I think it would be a good load for my ford pick-up. The old gun has been "rode hard and put up wet" too many times, she looks bad but still shoots well, or did the last time I had her out.

I haven’t had a good “mess” of rabbit or squirrel in several years, it might be time I get the old gun out, get a little practice and see if I can put something in the pot. It will take a bunch of these Texas squirrels to make a mess; they are small in compairsome to those in GA and LA.

Farrier Matt · « **Reply #21 on:** July 26, 2011, 04:28:25 PM »

I started hunting squirrels with a single six last year. I mounted a 2-7 power scope to the top of it, and shoot mostly 22mag FMJ. I had a ball with it. Made up a leather holster that rides under my right shoulder (I shoot left handed) so its easy to carry. Now Im wanting to carry something bigger to deer hunt with.

S.B. · « **Reply #22 on:** July 28, 2011, 02:46:59 PM »

Actualy, that's how I started hunting with handguns, in my youth. Haven't done much small game hunting in years since I was busy raising children and most of my spare money went into things like shoes, school supplies etc just didn't seem to have the time I did while younger?
Steve

Bigeasy · « **Reply #23 on:** July 28, 2011, 03:52:26 PM »

When I lived in CT, I used to hunt small game all the time with my High Standard Victor, and my Ruger MKll bull barrel with a 2x scope. Since moving to PA (a no semi-auto state), I have taken to carrying a Ruger Bearcat hunting. Not nearly the hit ratio as the target semi's, but still fun. I have a nice old S&W K-22, but I just cant bring myself to put a scope on it. I have always liked the .22 lr. The 17's are a little faster out of a handgun, but can be destructive to edible game, and the slightly flatter trajectory does not really matter at typical handgun ranges. I dont usually wear hearing protection when hunting with a .22 handgun (I am half deaf already), but I did find that when I had my Ruger SSS 17 HMR, the muzzle blast was a little to sharp without a set of ears on.

Larry

Flynmoose · « **Reply #24 on:** July 28, 2011, 05:47:25 PM »

Now that I have moved home to eastern Oregon, I can't wait to try my 22LR and 22Mag Strikers on sagerats and jackrabbits. After the novelty wears down a bit, I will drag the G2 with the 22LR match barrel out for some fun.
FM

Austin from NC · « **Reply #25 on:** July 29, 2011, 01:13:01 AM »

I took my Sig Trailside out and got one year before last. Definitely gonna go at it again this year with a scope and see if i can pop a few.

Austin

ratgunner · « **Reply #26 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:00:01 AM »

Lots of fun and more shooting opportunities than big game hunting.But good practice.Not to mention goood eats.
Now I need to decide on a revolver or a Contender.

butchen · « **Reply #27 on:** July 31, 2011, 08:23:39 AM »

Quote from: ratgunner on July 31, 2011, 08:00:01 AM

Lots of fun and more shooting opportunities than big game hunting.But good practice.Not to mention goood eats.
Now I need to decide on a revolver or a Contender.

ratgunner: go with the 'tender "one shot, one kill". I been using an old '78 Ruger 6" .22 auto, and this year I am going to the Contender the auto was getting to easy. I know most times I did it in one shot but you know you have a 2nd shot with the 'tender you got one and only one shot. But that's just me.

okie44 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 03, 2011, 03:47:15 AM »

Get one of each, shoot the snot out of'em. You will probably like them both

LunaticFringeInc · « **Reply #29 on:** August 04, 2011, 01:08:52 AM »

I jack Squirrels and to a lesser extent Rabbits with my Single Six Conv. on a pretty regular basis.