Whats your Ideal Squirrel setup?

[RelicHound]

I've been squirrel hunting twice in my lifetime. I didn't see a thing either time. Should I use a 12ga with 7.5, a .410 with 8, or my .22LR Marlin 60 (iron sights)? The closest house is just over a quarter mile outside heavy woods. I'm slightly worried about the .22 continuing on if I miss one in the trees, and I don't want to be in the papers if something horrible happens. Suggestions?

either the 410 or 12ga will be fine. if your worried about using the 22lr simply dont use it.
if you use the 410 with 8 shot keep your shots close or go to a heavier load..same with the 12ga and 7.5 shot..youll get a bit more range with the 12ga but I dont like using light game loads for tree rats as were I hunt I need the range{tall tree..both hardwoods and pine} but cant use a rifle so I use a full choke with high brass 6 shot so that I can knock em out of the tallest of trees.

 

[Huzrjim]

All good advice. For a shotgun I've always went with 6 shot for squirrel, save the 7.5 or 8 for rabbit and birds. The last several years I've hunted with a 60 year old Winchester model 74 .22lr given to me by my father.

 

[Indybeer]

Only thing I use for squirrels is my old single shot 22/410 over/under that was given to me by a family friend when I was 12...best damn squirrel gun there is.

 

[JBob77]

Scope & Choke Update

It's a Timber King Scope, so I pretty well think that is part of the problem. Also, the base screws seem tight and the scope seems solid. CCI mini mags, so ammo is probably not the problem. I am not the best shot off hand, but leaning against a tree, the third shot out of the barrel was 3 inches low @50 yards, but had been sighted prone from a sight vise. I was concerned about the Improved cylinder choke, but w.6's, a few fairly clean looks and a 12ga, I think i will try it. If not, I will find a mod choke tube for a winchester 1200. Anyone got one.

 

[RelicHound]

It's a Timber King Scope, so I pretty well think that is part of the problem. Also, the base screws seem tight and the scope seems solid. CCI mini mags, so ammo is probably not the problem. I am not the best shot off hand, but leaning against a tree, the third shot out of the barrel was 3 inches low @50 yards, but had been sighted prone from a sight vise. I was concerned about the Improved cylinder choke, but w.6's, a few fairly clean looks and a 12ga, I think i will try it. If not, I will find a mod choke tube for a winchester 1200. Anyone got one.

mossberg accu chokes{mossberg 500 and the like} will work in the Winchester 1200..make sure its not the accu MAG chokes as they will not work.

 

[Jack Ryan]

I've been squirrel hunting twice in my lifetime. I didn't see a thing either time. Should I use a 12ga with 7.5, a .410 with 8, or my .22LR Marlin 60 (iron sights)? The closest house is just over a quarter mile outside heavy woods. I'm slightly worried about the .22 continuing on if I miss one in the trees, and I don't want to be in the papers if something horrible happens. Suggestions?

Guns don't make you see them regardless of what kind you carry.

You should be taking your field guide and learning to ID white oak, pig nut hickory, red oak, paw paw, persimon, walnut.

When you start seeing squirrels then take your shotgun with you next time.

When you start killing your limit every time out, start taking the rifle.

 

[dwh79]

16 ga. with full choke and #4's high brass.

 

[lawrra]

Guns don't make you see them regardless of what kind you carry.

You should be taking your field guide and learning to ID white oak, pig nut hickory, red oak, paw paw, persimon, walnut.

When you start seeing squirrels then take your shotgun with you next time.

When you start killing your limit every time out, start taking the rifle.

Thanks. I can identify oak and walnut, but not the others. I never really thought about the shotgun vs. rifle until recently

 

[The Meach]

 

[RelicHound]

happy? lol

 

[lawrra]

I suppose I could use this if I straightened out the sights (the rear appears bent).

This isn't my particular rifle, but I do have one.

 

[TGUNTER]

Savage 17HMR going in the morning.

 

[Jack Ryan]

 

[HICKMAN]

 

[Chefcook]

 

[skier11]

I always use my Winchester 20 ga. pump with full choke to reach out and touch with #6. My second gun as a kid. My dad bought it for me after several outings with my first gun...a winchester 410...NOT a good squirrel gun for a kid. I would shoot four or five times before my brother would get sick of me missing and shoot it. The 20 ga. fixed the prob.

 

[BigMatt]

Buy another scope [higher quality] and loctite your base screws, and your ring screws for starters.

That is good advice for a scope.

I use a 10/22 with a 4X Nikon scope.

If hunting with a shotgun, I use a 12 gauge with #4's. To be honest, I use #4's for squirrel, rabbits, turkey... #4's are about perfect for a lot of stuff and if you just stock up them, you are ready for just about anything but deer or ducks.

 

[slacker]

I'll take my ruger 10/22 with a Mueller APV 4.5-14x

Its easy to hit 1.5" steel at 100 yards, I am sure I can take it out further.

 

[davedolli]

12 ga, usually a Remington 1100, with #4 shot. I usually see mostly fox squirrels, and this will bring the down from the top of the trees with no problem. Sometimes I take a Marlin 60 for a change.

Dave

 

[Cain71]

Now that the leaves are falling I have gone to the adult air rifle,.177 caliber chest or head shots up to 50 yards,and it doesn't mess up your squirrel. I also like this because the friends of the one you just shot look surprised that there buddy fell out of a tree.