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Author Topic: Squirrel hunting with a handgun  (Read 3501 times)

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Offline jerkface11

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« on: October 10, 2005, 01:05:43 PM »
Any of you guys squirrel hunt with a handgun? If so what caliber and loading? Do you use a scope? What kind of gun?
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Offline kjeff50cal

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2005, 01:20:07 PM »
This is just the short list. I have in the past used single action revolvers (single sixes) in .22LR & .32 H&R (95 grn. SWC). Double action revolver, S&W Mod 10 .38 with wadcutters (aim for the head). My current bushytail gun is a vintage Ruger Standard Auto Mod. .22 - 6" barrel. It has yet tobe blooded (with me) but I will use Federal Champions HPs. They are just right (POA) in my pistol.

kjeff50cal
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Offline Jerry Lester

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2005, 01:21:41 PM »
I don't get out as much for squirrels as I'd like to anymore. When I do, I take my 5.5" stainless Single-Six, loaded with Federal HPs(Wal-Mart specials! LOL!). I don't like scopes on handguns, so it's iron sights only for me.

I used to get out for squirrels quite a bit, and I've killed piles of both grey, and fox squirrels with my revolvers. Now you've got me itching to go again. I might just have to try to bust me a few pretty soon!
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Offline John

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2005, 01:39:54 PM »
Ruger Mark 1 with iron sights knocks em outta those trees.
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Offline jerkface11

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2005, 01:39:58 PM »
I usually take a long gun when i go. But about half the time i take a pistol too. Either my ruger MKII or my H&R break action 22. My ammo of choice is remington golden bullet. Though i'm tempted to get some aguilla SSS. Krochus has had good luck with them out of a pistol.
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Offline poncaguy

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2005, 01:52:06 PM »
When I was a young man and never been kissed, I used a Ruger Single Six. Now I use a Mark III slab barrel Target Model with Bushnell Red Dot sight.........eyes fading away. :(
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Offline rickyp

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2005, 01:54:25 PM »
I use my 10 inch 45-410 contender barrel or my Ruger mark II with Tasck 2x scope.
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Offline Questor

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2005, 03:52:20 PM »
Shots at squirrels tend to be long up north here in the barren woods. 50 yards is pretty typical. I've occasionally been lucky enough to get a 25 yard shot. I use a Contender with 1.25-4x scope and usually keep the scope at 2x.  I particularly like the Remington Subsonic hollow point ammo. It seems to work better than faster "high velocity" 22s in that it stops the critters faster.

This is THE best way to hunt squirrels. It's very challenging, very sporting, and very rewarding.
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Offline myronman3

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2005, 04:32:56 PM »
i ran into some pine squirrels once that tried to hide behind a branch on me.  i could see all four of his feet.  so i centered up the sights on my 454, and let it rip.  

poor squirrel.   :cry:

seriously,  you have to have enough gun.  ever seen the teeth on those things?  they can bite right threw a nut!   454 anchors them nice.   :lol:
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Offline Reed1911

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #9 on: October 11, 2005, 01:46:00 AM »
.22 Reed with the 35g V-Max and head shots. Just awesome!
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Offline Special Ed

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #10 on: October 11, 2005, 02:38:03 AM »
Thompson Contender....22lr with 2x Leupold or the 45/410 barrel. My Browning Buckmark varmint with a 2x scope works well also.
Haven't had a chance to use my new 14" t/c 22mag barrel yet, but it should work pretty good.

Ed
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Offline Dan Chamberlain

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #11 on: October 11, 2005, 06:33:37 AM »
Let's try this again.

I hunt'em with the Bearcat, the Ruger MkII and even cap and ball revolvers.

Dan C

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Offline WNY_Whitetailer

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #12 on: October 11, 2005, 08:52:40 AM »
Browning Buckmark with a Simmons Red Dot Site...Pow Pow...
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Offline Dan Chamberlain

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Handguns and Squirrels
« Reply #13 on: October 11, 2005, 01:34:32 PM »
Well, I've never had difficulty posting a photo before.  But I am flummoxed this time.  It will just not work.

Dan
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Offline Gregory

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #14 on: October 11, 2005, 03:33:25 PM »
TC Contender 10" 22Mag Nikon 2X scope.  Good practice for my deer hunting rig: same gun with a 10" 357 Max barrel.
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Offline MS Hitman

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #15 on: October 11, 2005, 08:30:43 PM »
Back in the day, when I had time to hunt I'd wear 'em out with a Single-Six wearing a 4X Leupold.  Ammo was the Winchester Wildcat run through a SGB tool.  Also have used my 10" .410 T/C bbl.
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Offline WD45

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #16 on: October 12, 2005, 03:13:36 AM »
Yup.. single six with both the 22LR and 22MAG and 44 remy cap and ball.
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Offline redhawk44p

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #17 on: October 12, 2005, 12:51:52 PM »
I hunt them with Ruger 22s. Here are some pics.
http://home.insightbb.com/~robert.east/smallgame.html
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Offline darrell8937

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #18 on: October 13, 2005, 10:36:53 AM »
got a few this weekend with a p22.. compact.. Not hunting just geting rid af the camp pests. made 2 first shot and a wopping 10 yards or so.. One in a tree, thick pine.. that took three. Boy they make a mess in the camp.. They always find a way in. This is no hunter but a lot of fun!
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Offline TScottO

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #19 on: October 13, 2005, 03:07:52 PM »
When I started handgun hunting I used a Ruger 22 Auto with a 6 7/8” barrel. Since then I use a FA 97 with a 5.5” barrel. I use open sights. I don’t kill very many but it sure is fun. Heck, it’s a task to make my limit with a 22 rifle. I use CCI standard velocity ammo and have no problems. With a rifle I use short hollow points.

Take Care,
Scott
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Offline SingleFan

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #20 on: October 14, 2005, 10:24:22 AM »
Dave Clements Custom Ruger Single Six.  Match grade 22lr with winchester power points.  Good to go out to 30 yards.  After that - Remington 504 Mach 2

I'm headed to the North Woods tomorrow for bushtail with just my SS.  I'll let you know how I make out.  May just slip in the 22mag cylinder because fox comes in tomorrow here in PA.
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Offline ratgunner

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #21 on: October 14, 2005, 03:22:45 PM »
Ruger SS,in 22 mag. 6.5" and Federal 50 grn. bullets. Win. 1300 for back up. :-D
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Offline Jerry Lester

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #22 on: October 14, 2005, 04:10:42 PM »
Quote from: SingleFan
Dave Clements Custom Ruger Single Six.  Match grade 22lr with winchester power points.  Good to go out to 30 yards.  After that - Remington 504 Mach 2

I'm headed to the North Woods tomorrow for bushtail with just my SS.  I'll let you know how I make out.  May just slip in the 22mag cylinder because fox comes in tomorrow here in PA.


If you're seriously thinking you might get a good shot at a fox with that Single-Six, load it up with CCI TNT HPs. I've shot a few foxes with my Single-Sixes, and the TNTs kill a lot quicker than any of the other loads. Stay away from the 50g loads from CCI, and Federal. They shoot decent enough, but they act like FMJ bullets out of these revolvers.

I shot a couple with the Winchester Supremes (34g HP), and they're pretty good, but still not near as good as the TNTs.
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Offline SingleFan

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #23 on: October 16, 2005, 03:03:18 AM »
Jerry,

I noted your post regarding the TNT's from a while back and have already had success on two foxes with them.

Thanks
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Offline russianblood

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squirrel'n gun
« Reply #24 on: October 21, 2005, 05:49:46 AM »
I use a Beretta Neos with 7 1/2" barrel and 2X scope. I shoot CCI Mini Mags or Velocitors through it.
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Offline jerkface11

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #25 on: October 21, 2005, 12:31:05 PM »
Am i the only guy who can't get his .22's to shoot CCI ammo? The autos won't function with it and the bolt guns won't print a group worth talking about with it. But i've known people who's guns wouldn't work with anything BUT CCI.
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Offline cattleskinner

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #26 on: October 23, 2005, 05:19:40 AM »
I use a MKII Competition Target model when I go for squirrels, stoked with the Velocitor ammunition.  I've gone a couple times this year with just the pistol, but have it with me most all the time.  Sometimes the little buggars show up too close for a shotgun...no sense in blowing up such a tasty little critter.  By the way, I use open sights.  

~~~Amos
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Offline tanoose

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #27 on: October 23, 2005, 07:12:39 AM »
I use a ruger single -six 22LR and 22Mag short 4 5/8" barrel and a red dot  sight.
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Offline EastKY_DO

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squirrely handguns
« Reply #28 on: October 24, 2005, 10:41:09 AM »
Years ago I hunted squirrels with an early Browning Buck-Mark (first year of production).  My uncle now has that pistol and I have been using a Ruger Mk II 5 1/2" bull bbl or lately a Ruger Bearcat.

Do most others find the auto easier to shoot well than the revolver or is it just me?  :roll:
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Offline sawfish

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Squirrel hunting with a handgun
« Reply #29 on: October 25, 2005, 09:23:33 AM »
Ruger Mk II with Winchester T-22 target ammo.  Standard velocity and very accurate.
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