Opinions on 7 1/2 shot for Squirrels!

[jpshaw]

OK, I've used 6's all my life but know others who use the 7 1/2s.  MY problem is North Louisiana has had a boycot of #6s for some reason.  7 1/2 and 8s are everywhere for $5.95 a  box.  6's only come in $13 to $16 a box.  I'm not paying $16 for a box of 6s when the 7 1/2s  next to them are $5.95.  Opinions please.

[thumper113]

Bet the 6's are hi brass and the 7 1/2's are field loads.

[Swampman]

I like #4s because they pass completely through.

[45-70.gov]

get a good air rifle


22 lr  is the classic load


shoot whats on sale
stock  up  when you find what you prefer
i  too  prefer #6....but  not a hard rule


with a shot gun  i like to get close and shoot  just in front  of the nose
keeps the pellets out of the meat

[jpshaw]

Bet the 6's are hi brass and the 7 1/2's are field loads

Actually all were field loads even though some were 1 oz 20 gauge.  I have no problem with 7/8 oz 20s.  My favorite field loads for my 12 are 1 oz and sometimes 1 1/8 oz but all low brass.  With a 5 lb 6.7 oz 12 Ga and a 5 lb 2.2 oz 20 gauge I buy nothing high brass.

[jpshaw]

I like #4s because they pass completely through.

4,s are on the boycott also.  You can find them in steel shot but lead shot they are on the $16 aisle with the 6,s.  The $5.95 shelf is 7 1/2 or 8.s.

[spooked]

Do like I did, make a friend that likes to reload and is good at it ...I get 20ga. #5shot for 6$...rolls them squirrel outa the tree at a far piece..

[45-70.gov]

did you try to order online??

[SHOOTALL]

as a kid i shot lots of limb rats for the pot . Used a 410 . 7.5 shot worked well . I hunted quail ,rabbit or limb rats all at the same time so 7.5 shot was a comprise between 6 and 8 shot.
For dove I load a mix of 8 and 7.5 shot and it works well on limb rats also but they are loaded max with 1.25 oz shot , think some call them peigon loads    they kick pretty good .

[mechanic]

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/7-AXU206

[Dixie Dude]

I've shot 7-1/2's and 8's.  When I tried 6's they blew the squirrels up.  Of course I would hunt with someone, one of us would shoot the nests with a sling shot to run the squirrels out, the pop them with the shotguns.  No 8's and 7-1/2's didn't do as much damage, and the wherent too far away.  A lot of times, I would watch them run up a tree and stick their head out from behind to see the danger, and I would shoot them in the head. 
 
All that being said, a 22lr does good, and at a little longer range.  Just be sure of your background.

[Ranger99]

i've used 'em.
they're ok, but i prefer #6
i always shoot mine through
the eye.

[mechanic]

There was a time when I would'nt buy anything other than 4's and 6's.  Now I've got some 7 1/2's for dove.  I like the 4's when I can find them for squirril.
 
Ben

[Dixie Dude]

The squirrels down south don't have as much fur on them.  Like I said, I shot them up close, say less than 20 yards with my slingshot technique so the #7-1/2 or 8's worked fine for me.  Up north, maybe the heavy fur coats they wear might be bullet proof on 8's.  And like I said, I prefer 22LR.  Has anyone ever shot them with CB longs?  They are quiet, but the bullet drops fast. 

[Ranger99]

shot 'em with a daisy 880 when i
was a pup, but not my first choice now.
.410 or 12ga topper.

[tony212]

I used to use 7 1/2s for everything, pheasants, rabbits, squirrels.  6s may be a little better if you have to shoot a little farther but most of the time you will never notice a difference.
Tony212

[twoshooter]

I reload some now, and #5 is my preferred shot size for small game, but you go with what you have. I just hated getting into a bite of stew and crunching down on a shot , less danger of that with the larger shot A 71/2 will kill them though, and dead is dead.

[lil_hunter12]

7 1/2 is fine for squirrel even at 30-40 yards I have never had any squirrel walk away from them

[jpshaw]

Maybe Thumper is right.  I found a box of 6's in the storage closet with only 1 shell missing.  They are high brass 6's 2 3/4 Dram Equiv. with 1 oz of shot (20 gauge).  Come to think of it I don't remember ever seeing 6's with 7/8 oz of shot in a 20 gauge which is odd since my favorite 12 gauge load is 1 oz of 6's and 3 dram eq. low brass.  I know they don't put the Dram Equiv. on them anymore but the fps of the shot instead but that is how us old folks relate to them.

[Dixie Dude]

Yep the world is changing too much.  Next thing you know we will have to shoot them with #6 carbon fiber shot or something stupid like that.  I wouldn't be surprised if one day they get completely rid of lead shot.  Steel, heavy shot, and bismuth would be the only thing left right now.  Copper would be too expensive. 

[Airsporter]

OK, I've used 6's all my life but know others who use the 7 1/2s.  MY problem is North Louisiana has had a boycot of #6s for some reason.  7 1/2 and 8s are everywhere for $5.95 a  box.  6's only not in in $13 to $16 a box.  I'm not paying $16 for a box of 6s when the 7 1/2s  next to them are $5.95.  Opinions please.

7 1/2s will definitely dust squirrels.  I prefer larger shot - if you're planning to eat them.  Too hard finding 7 1/2s until too late!    I plan to pattern my full choke .410 this year with #4 and #5 and maybe use it  instead of the larger gauges. 

I think the inexpensive 7 1/2s and 8s are often promo loads for informal clay bird shooting.  Walmart usually sells them in 100 packs (4 boxes) for $20.  I sometimes find inexpensive #6 in 1 0z 12ga but never 7/8 0z in 20. 

[Airsporter]

BTW, have you noticed most "high-brass" not "brass" anymore - just plated steel. 

[hunt-m-up]

I reload some now, and #5 is my preferred shot size for small game, but you go with what you have. I just hated getting into a bite of stew and crunching down on a shot , less danger of that with the larger shot A 71/2 will kill them though, and dead is dead.

Gotta love a good stiff load of hard #5's, great all around medicine for small game and pheasants.

[SHOOTALL]

5's are good turkey medicine