squirrel stopper of choice

[ungawa]

Originally Posted by Karys

That's why I'm switching over to a handgun.

Even with a scoped rifle, where I hunt squirrels aren't exactly easy. It's just too thick. I've never shot a limit and getting them to stand still in the open for a shot is more difficult than you'd think.

Put out a birdfeeder in your yard. Then go with the PB/air rifle combo, you'll have so many squirrels you'll wish you never bothered.

[ScaredOnce]

I always go with the 12ga and lightest birdshot that I have in low brass. My Win 1300 (I think it's 1300) has that WinChoke system, so I'll leave the full choke in that I'd use for ducks. The bird shot along with full choke seems to work well for rats that are high in the trees.

I got a few squirrels with the 7mm-08 this year while groundhog hunting. Total overkill, but it just added to how impressed I am with this new rifle. It performs amazingly well for long shots.

[ScaredOnce]

But I should've said that my Winchester 9422 in 22mag is def my favorite varmint rifle. With good ammo, I'm always surprised at its performance. And it's damn pretty...

[deth502]

voted 22lr, but have been known to use 12 or 20. depends on wheather or not i plan on seeing any other game while im out.

if i go somewhere where, in addition to squirrel, there are alot of grouse, ill go with the 20. in a rabbit area ill take the 12.

[CoyoteJack]

Whatever is handy. I have an old Marlin bolt I used when I'd actually hunt tree rats. Nowadays its a Gamo air rifle for picking them off as they climb the birdfeeder post. I'll let the little ones eat there but the bigger ones are too destructive to the feeder. The Gamo is such a tack driver I only shoot them in the head.

[security1978]

Mossberg 870

[Dextrimental]

Originally Posted by security1978

Mossberg 870

Did you mean Remington 870?

I prefer my Thumbhole stock Mossberg 835 12Ga for small game.

[handgunhunter]

[quote=Karys;185408]That's why I'm switching over to a handgun.[/QOUTE]

Take the challenge. You switch to a handgun and I doubt you'll go back. I've been hunting with the handgun almost exclusively for many years. This is my small game gun. An early 1960 Improved I frame S&W Model 34. Very small and accurate with CCI Minimags. These pics were taken after hunting a stand of chestnuts that was loaded with squirrels from the surrounding hardwoods.

[Joe Smith]

The mossberg 500 was always my go-to for groundhogs and other annoying critters. They have now learned of my amazing skill and stay out of effective range of the shotgun so the Stevens 417 takes the out at distance. I stick with CCI subsonic HP if I can, but if I'm going after something larger I use velocitors or Quik-shocks.

[JoeWilliams]

I answered .22LR since I'm still fantasizing about actually getting one with my Savage MKII this year. Most of this season, though, has been spent carting my boy's Mossberg 500 Bantam Youth 20 guage around so he can hunt under the mentored hunter program. So far it's bagged all the squirrels we've gotten this year. He's been informed that the last two Saturday's remaining he can shoot my 22 after I've gotten a couple.

My wife recently bought herself a Savage .17 HMR ("we've got a bunch of 22s, I want something different.") We've not shot a squirrel with it yet.... I'm kind of hoping head shots will leave us something to eat.