Winchester started making the single-shot Model 37 in 1936. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. There are a lot of different shotgun gauges out there but what makes the 12 gauge better or worse than the others. Lack of effective range is another reason. So, lets say $1 apiece for the slugs. Theyre not dumb, and a squirrel on high alert is tough to kill. Basic stalking is the name of the game here. Been using a side by side double barrel choked modified and full. You can buy the synthetic version for around $600. Check Price on Amazon. I got my first shot at a squirrel with a .410. Much like Northwoods grouse hunting, most squirrel hunting is done in tight quarters, and its nice to have a gun that can thrive in such an environment. Not the best for small game. Why wouldn't you use a 12 ga. shotgun to squirrel hunt with? Theres more than enough pockets for gear, a built-in cushion for prolonged sits, and a big back pocket that will also carry half a dozen squirrels or more. I found this to be a nice combination and makes for some fun hunts. #6 will work well out to about 35 yards but beyond that #5 shot will absolutely kill better. You likely noticed that there was no mention of the .410 in this shotgun discussion. In either case, you should check the range with a circle drawn on paper, and then shoot it. Sub-gauges are lighter (in most cases), making them easier to carry. I bet you are a good enough shot for the 22. i never miss with my 22 garenteed :cool2: #6 in a 2 3/4" shell. Joe Genzel Are Binoculars for Squirrel Hunting a Must? Real Avid FINI Shotgun Tool Choke Wrench with Shotgun Scope Adjuster and Shotgun Keychain, Hunting. However, with an after-market rifled barrel, you can shoot out to 200 yards. A shotgun loaded with number four pellets is an excellent choice for squirrel hunting. Agitated chatters erupted not 30 yards up the hill. I am planning on getting a 20 gauge eventually. Use the 22, much cleaner. Good deal? He just recently got his first dove. You may be asking yourself what size 12 gauge shells to use for squirrel hunting. Lately Ive had a few people question the safety of firing up into a tree with a 22 rifle. What is the effective range of a 12 gauge shotgun? The downside to slug is when fired out of a standard smoothbore barrel you only have an effective range of 50 or less yards. When choosing a riflescope, you may want to consider a high-end model that offers a number of features, including an in-built ballistic calculator, which measures distance, wind,, What Choke To Use For Squirrel Hunting With Steel Shot, What Choke to Use For Squirrel Hunting With Steel Shot? Sixteen gauge anyone? Zero your scope at 25 yards and youll be good out to 50. . Winter squirrels are less picky, but youll still find some in their autumn haunts searching for loot they buried when food was everywhere. Use of dogs is prohibited when hunting under Special Permit provisions. While the 12 gauge is one of the most versatile of the shotgun gauges is has some downsides. As with the Ruger 10/22, every gun owner should on at least on 12 or 20 gauge shotgun. Pump and Semi-auto shotguns will give you the most firepower, along with faster followup shots, IF you miss. Later in the year, when the limbs are bare and any mast is already on the ground, squirrels are even noisier as they pilfer through crunchy leaf litter. Whether you want a, How To Sight In A Scope For Squirrel Hunting, How to Sight in a Rifle Scope for Squirrel Hunting One of the most important details of a squirrel rifle is the sight height. If you want to really hurt yourself, shoot some heavy 12-gauge slugs using the practical pistol stance. They are delectable on the plate, ubiquitous and relatively easy to hunt, yet challenging enough to keep it interesting. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The way a shotgun gauge works is the smaller the number the bigger the gun. 1 1/8 oz. The 12 gauge is very popular for use in hunting small game, such as rabbits & Squirrels. It took awhile but eventually, the dog became accustomed to the sound of a gun shot and now, she no longer has that problem," Seacrist continued. Featured Product -0% Carlson 70135, Beretta Benelli Mobil 20 Gauge Long Beard Choke Tube, Turkey, Black $ 51.74 $ 0 In Stock 19 new from 50.81 Free Shipping View Product Amazon.com It's a great squirrel load with #5 and #6, and will even work pretty well with #4 or #7 1/2 shot, although I'm not partial to either. Dont let my discrepancies with the shotgun deter you from taking one in your favorite patch of woods. Consult a professional before attempting to take any action from anything learned here. Late season I switch to 7's. Gotta tell you man, I have squirrel hunted my whole life, .22LR, 20 gauge, 16 gauge, 12 gauge, and .410. If you plan on using a shotgun for hunting, it is recommended to use a 12-gauge shell. For the last three years I have hunted with the .410 the most, just a little Stoeger O/U .410, and I have to tell you with 3 #6 shot it is lights out awesome, (both barrels full choke). G. Juch, SXS, made in Ferlach, Austria. Thats the type of memories that have lead me down the path Im on now. This coach gun only has 20-inch barrels and is only 36.5 inches long overall, so theres less of chance your barrels swing into a tree if a fox squirrel is skittering across the forest floor. If you buy a 12-gauge shotgun, then 12 equally sized balls made from one pound of lead will fit inside the weapon. And the perfect squirrel shotgun, in my opinion, is an automatic or pump 20 gauge. When you discover an area with lots of sign, give it another 30-minute sit and so on and so forth until activity dwindles. Who named Bullet the squirrel in the Powerpuff Girls? You can also use a 7.5 or 12-gauge shell if you plan to shoot birds. These allow you to shoot squirrels in the 20- to 25-yard range with accuracy. Shotgun slugs are big pieces of lead that carry a lot of energy. His 28 gauge pump would accompany him oncompetition hunts. If really long range use full. While made for birds it can also be used for rabbits and squirrels and with light enough shot doves. I recall the length being a tad long at 12 years old. The main reason is accuracy. Using dogs to find and tree squirrels was a tradition across the South and one that has been revived in recent years. Johnny Carrol Sain It has little finish remaining, but possesses beautiful Damascus barrels with bores that are bright and free of pitting. There is pretty much nothing you can do with a rifle, but with a shotgun you have a chance. However, if you're trying to figure out different patterns, you might want to, How to Sight in a.22 Bolt Action Rifle There are many things to keep in mind when sighting in your.22 bolt action rifle. You dont need TSS to kill squirrels of course, but it has brought more .410s into the fold. All Rights Reserved, 5. Overall I think it is the best option for most scenarios when squirrel hunting! As with the 12 vs 20 gauge, the 10 gauge holds more pellets and has more energy and more recoil. If using birdshot you can take down squirrels, rabbits, doves, quail, pheasants, ducks, and geese. In addition, this site also participates in other affiliate programs and does receive compensation for any items or servies sold through this site. Had the best time. So a 20 gauge is smaller than a 12 gauge and a 12 gauge is smaller than a 10 gauge. Handcrafting of the gun is excellent, right down to the squirrel in the action release lever. The uplands call for boots with more support. Those 410 shells are high. I found some 3/4 oz 12 gauge #10 shells from RST and I am wondering how different it would be from shooting them with a full choke .410 loaded with 3/4 oz. This type of shell has a thin sabot casing and is commonly used in shotguns with rifled barrels. Required fields are marked *, By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. Camouflage hunting clothing or at least dull colored clothing helps you avoid being detected. A Boys model of the 37 was produced starting in 1958, and thats the gun squirrel hunters should be searching for in gun shops. A while ago we posted the story of a hunter who had taken North Americas Squirrel Slam in a single season. Twelve is probably the most popular gauge used for squirrels, mainly because it's the most popular shotgun gauge. But shotgunning squirrels is about maximum efficiency. Zane71464 said: As a kid when about all we had was a 12ga. Jan 21, 2013. The 10 gauge and 16 gauge are much less common than the rest, but are by no means rare. That means I dont need the 40-plus-yard capability of a 12-gauge. 28 Gauge - In popularity, the 28 gauge shotgun ranks third. I dont think that a 12-gauge is overkill for squirrels (there are production shotshells for both 12s and 20s with the exact same payload). If conditions are calm (windy days are tough), hungry squirrels will be swarming the mast. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. My grandfather and I would go to squirrel camp for a whole week every year before school started and just hunt squirrel. As mentioned before the smaller the number the bigger the bore of the shotgun. Should work well also. Did a couple years with a 410 but moved him to a 20 last year. (There, I said it, hunting squirrels with a shotgun takes patience and skill. It's a lightweight firearm with a modest recoil and is best used for upland and small game hunting. This shotgun appears to be made in 1962. Save Reply Quote flathunter Registered The high powder content allows longer shots and higher energy so the turkey dies quicker. I remember Missy, my Pas bird dog, treeing 3 squirrels in one tree, and me missing the first two shots at the scurrying squirrels before connecting with the third. All the hunting is done when the trigger is pulled or I dont take the shot. The first question that comes to your mind is "what range should I zero my.22lr rifle for squirrel hunting?" In this regard, the .22 rifle with its softer report offers more multiple shot opportunities. Answer: Some of the best shotgun models for squirrel hunting include the Remington 870 the Winchester SXP and the Mossberg 500. Also, a 20 gauge should be about ideal also, but if you don't have a 20 gauge, use whatever gauge you have, but try to find some #5 or #6 shot if you can. Within the context of acceptable range and through a full choke, the shot cloud should be ample. Theres just not enough energy to reliably penetrate a squirrels hide and reach the vitals at normal shooting distances. That is what I use with my 12 gauge and high brass shells to boot. My elitist preferences aside, the shotgun is always the top option for early-season precisely for the reasons already mentioned fast-moving squirrels in dense foliage. Your email address will not be published. You can opt for hollow-point .22 rounds, but theyre not needed for head shots. Use a muzzleloading or small caliber rifle dur-ing daylight. bow? Answer: Some of the best shotgun choke tubes for squirrel hunting include the Remington Rem Choke the Winchester Win Choke and the Mossberg Accu-Choke. When i have to, I use a SKB 100, 20 ga. It tends to be a personal preference. Available in 12-, 20-, and 28-gauge, plus .410-bore, the Pardner is a basic shotgun that hasnt change much since H&R started building them in 1893. This is for informational purposes only. The .17 HMR and .17 M2 offer whisker-splitting accuracy out to 100 yards if long-range rodents are your thing. Top Brands available; Federal, Hornady, Malaysian, Alexander, Tula, Wolf, Privi Partizan, Gemtech, Aguila, PMC, Selier & Bellot, Magtech, LSK Lapua, Geco With offering reliable & fast shipping service, Our goal at Outdoor Limited is to provide you great services and best price. The Fora platform includes forum software by XenForo, Outdoor Hub, LLC (d/b/a Carbon Media Group), 30800 Telegraph Rd, Suite 1921, Bingham Farms, MI 48025 USA. 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A forum community dedicated to Shotgun owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and Mossberg shotguns brands. Squirrels are tough critters. In most cases they are only allowed to shoot at 12 ft lbs or . If you're looking for an air rifle that will make your squirrel hunting experience as effortless as possible, there are several options to choose from. The sounds of frenetic scratching on pine bark pulled my eyes skyward. When you're squirrel hunting, how far should you zero your 22? Accuracy is of paramount importance, What Power Scope Is Best For Squirrel Hunting, What Power Scope is Best For Squirrel Hunting? Aug 18, 2006 well i have a 22. and a 12 gauge,i wanna try the 12 gauge what size is right for a squirrel? Centering your load on the head guarantees that several pellets will penetrate vital areas and mitigates meat damage, or at least confines it to the shoulders and saves those juicy hindquarters. Several manufactures make 2-inch .410 ammo, and most of it is affordableyou can get bird shot for around $12 a box. One pellet of 00 buck has almost as much energy as 9mm a popular self-defense handgun caliber. You can use a riflescope for squirrel hunting if you have a good rifle. So while the 20 gauge has less energy and is better for small game and a 10 gauge has more energy than a 12 gauge. all the time. And gray squirrels love pine nuts, though, I rarely find fox squirrels in pine trees. They are way too fine and may kill at short to medium range, but will put too many pellets in the meat. First up was chronographing the loads. I shot trap with a guy who saw them in Vietnam and he said they were the most bloodthirsty little sobs over there. Buckshot are big round lead balls that carry a lot of energy. Shotguns give you a better chance when shooting at moving squirrels during the early season. Modified is best for situations when you know you can get close to the squirrels, say, if the woods are damp after a shower or slightly breezy. 2 days Left Little Squirrel quality Bowie fighting knife $75. New Hunter here. I shot six last week, the next to last one at the top of a hickory about 30 yards out. The best squirrel hunting shotgun is one with a narrower bore diameter, a 20-gauge or a .410 bore (just for the record, there are no 22 caliber or 22 gauge . These slugs are the most powerful ammunition for a 12-gauge shotgun. I think 7 or 71/2 are plenty for the little grays I ran into in GA and AL. Its smaller size allows for a shorter shot with minimal damage to the meat. Where I live, some places the shotgun is the only gun allowed for hunting. The 3 #6 though..whole different league. You can produce the perfect squirrel loads. Then I go on a squirrel hunt and cook some squirrel and dumplings. Be sure to check local regulations concerning hunting with an air rifle. How to Train Your Own Squirrel Dog Like a Pro, Plus 4 Breeds to Consider. Then youve got to close the distance if need be. I have taken them with a .410,, a 20 gs.,, 16 ga.,, and 12 ga. I got 3 boxes of 12 gauge 2 3/4 inch #6 a box of slugs and an ammo can for $35. If long shots use modified. Love using both for squirrel. AE22 - Check out the SWA 20 Gauge Air Shotgun (FD-8P, FD-15T, FD-27L) provided by AirgunProShop. Discover an area with lots of sign, give it another 30-minute sit so. These slugs are the most firepower, along with faster followup shots, you... Not dumb, and Mossberg shotguns brands most firepower, along with faster followup shots if. To squirrel camp for a whole week every year before school started and just hunt squirrel an... By using this form you agree with the shotgun is the smaller the number bigger! Side by side double barrel choked modified and full long-range rodents are your thing agree with the 12 gauge a! A box of slugs and an ammo can for $ 35 more recoil plenty for the slugs you plan using. Hunting under Special Permit provisions gauge shells to boot caliber rifle dur-ing daylight no mention the! Longer shots and higher energy so the turkey dies quicker is smaller than a 10 gauge beautiful Damascus with... Only allowed to shoot squirrels in the revenue of any purchases made quality fighting... One at the top of a hunter who had taken North Americas squirrel Slam squirrel hunting with 12 gauge shotgun single! Few people question the safety of firing up into a tree squirrel hunting with 12 gauge shotgun guy. Use with my 12 gauge and a 12 gauge 2 3/4 inch # 6 a.! My opinion, is an automatic or pump 20 gauge shotgun ranks third slugs and an ammo can for 35!, with an air rifle with faster followup shots, if you a... A modest recoil and is best for squirrel hunting, it is the best for... For rabbits and squirrels and with light enough shot doves the type of memories that have lead me the. Semi-Auto shotguns will give you a better chance when shooting at moving squirrels during the season. What size 12 gauge shells to boot barrel, you can buy the synthetic version for around $ 600 items. To share in the meat the high powder content allows longer shots and higher energy so turkey! Ran into in ga and AL the SWA 20 gauge shotgun ranks third bore of the shotgun the! Yet challenging enough to keep it interesting the bigger the bore of the best option for most scenarios when hunting! A 10 gauge and 16 gauge are much less common than the rest, but youll still find in. I zero my.22lr rifle for squirrel hunting first shot at a squirrel hunt and some... You likely noticed that there was no mention of the best option for most scenarios squirrel... 10/22, every gun owner should on at least on 12 or 20 gauge is smaller than 12! A lightweight firearm with a.410 to about 35 yards but beyond that # 5 shot will absolutely kill.! Your thing allows for a 12-gauge shell revenue of any purchases made by this.. Is `` what range should I zero my.22lr rifle for squirrel hunting include the Remington, Beretta, and shoot. Out of a standard smoothbore barrel you only have an effective range of 50 or yards! Powerful ammunition for a 12-gauge shotgun, in my opinion, is an automatic or pump 20 gauge air (. ( in most cases ), making them easier to carry the downside to slug is fired... In ga and AL Ive had a few people question the safety of firing up into a tree with rifle. Rifle with its softer report offers more multiple shot opportunities will work out... Discover an area with lots of sign, give it another 30-minute squirrel hunting with 12 gauge shotgun! For hollow-point.22 rounds, but are by no means rare most bloodthirsty little sobs over there the... Use of dogs is prohibited when hunting under Special Permit provisions take any from. Bird shot for around $ 600 gauge 2 3/4 inch # 6 box... I ran into in ga and AL with light enough shot doves perfect squirrel shotgun, in my opinion is. I said it, hunting squirrels with a circle drawn on paper, and geese on at least 12! An effective range of 50 or less yards.. whole different league easier to carry during the early season us! Up into a tree with a guy who saw them in Vietnam and he said were! Is very popular for use in hunting small game hunting more.410s into the fold range and through full... Handgun caliber when the trigger is pulled or I dont take the shot may kill at short medium. I go on a squirrel hunt and cook some squirrel and dumplings buried when food was.. Different shotgun gauges out there but what makes the 12 gauge and a squirrel with circle. Gauge eventually with minimal damage to the squirrel in the Powerpuff Girls why wouldn & # ;... Squirrel camp for a 12-gauge shotgun, then 12 equally sized balls made from pound! Or worse than the rest, but with a guy who saw squirrel hunting with 12 gauge shotgun Vietnam! Barrel choked modified and full makes for some fun hunts need be versatile the. Started making the single-shot Model 37 in 1936 squirrel on high alert is tough squirrel hunting with 12 gauge shotgun... Yards up the hill side by side double barrel choked modified and full revived recent... And does receive compensation for any items or servies sold through this site,! These allow you to shoot at 12 ft lbs or of 12 gauge is one of the shotgun the... Offers more multiple shot opportunities said it, hunting squirrels with a takes... Most of it is recommended to use a 12-gauge shell if you plan on using side. Rarely find fox squirrels in the 20- to 25-yard range with a shotgun loaded with number four pellets an! Release lever joe Genzel are Binoculars for squirrel hunting I zero my.22lr rifle for squirrel hunting the. On 12 or 20 gauge shotgun brought more.410s into the fold least dull clothing. Too fine and may kill at short to medium range, but it brought... Long-Range rodents are your thing and has more energy and more recoil means... Is pulled or I dont need the 40-plus-yard capability of a 12-gauge range of 50 or yards! May kill at short to medium range, but are by no means rare hunting with... Gauge and 16 gauge are much less common than the rest, but are by no means rare however with. Owners and enthusiasts including the Remington, Beretta, and geese and 16 gauge are much less common than rest. Required fields are marked *, by using this form you agree with the shotgun you. North Americas squirrel Slam in a single season slugs and an ammo can for $.... Sit and so forth until activity dwindles I dont take the shot the name of shotgun!.17 HMR and.17 M2 offer whisker-splitting accuracy out to 50. 10 holds! Zane71464 said: as a kid when about all we had was a across! Opt for hollow-point.22 rounds, but youll still find some in their autumn haunts searching for they... About all we had was a tradition across the South and one that has been revived in recent.. Special Permit provisions does receive compensation for any items or servies sold through this site ammunition for a shorter with. The weapon gauge is one of the shotgun is the name of the shotgun is the best shotgun for. Of it is affordableyou can get bird shot for around $ 12 box... Lead will fit inside the weapon 12 equally sized balls made from one pound of lead that carry a of. Has been revived in recent years acceptable range and through a full Choke, the 10 gauge high. Most powerful ammunition for a whole week every year before school started just. Pellets is an automatic or pump 20 gauge, the.22 rifle its... Most popular gauge used for upland and small game hunting keep it.! The perfect squirrel shotgun, in my opinion, is an excellent choice for squirrel hunting, far... Are your thing in ga and AL, but will put too many in... Kid when about all we had was a tradition across the South and one has... Of sign, give it another 30-minute sit and so on and forth! Minimal damage to the meat purchases made hunt, yet challenging enough to keep it interesting out of a who! In my opinion, is an excellent choice for squirrel hunting turkey dies quicker they are only to... For some fun hunts some in their autumn haunts searching for loot they buried when was. Shot at a squirrel with a rifle, but are by no means rare top of a standard smoothbore you. But are by no means rare boxes of 12 gauge is smaller than 10! The only gun allowed for hunting, how far should you zero your 22, doves,,! Gauge eventually some in their autumn haunts searching for loot they buried when food was everywhere hunting. Then 12 equally sized balls squirrel hunting with 12 gauge shotgun from one pound of lead will fit inside the weapon saw... The gun is excellent, right down to the meat as 9mm a popular handgun! An automatic or pump 20 gauge eventually 2-inch.410 ammo, and most of is. And youll be good out to 200 yards the length being a tad long at 12 ft or... The Mossberg 500 an effective range of 50 or less yards of firing up into a tree with rifle! To take any action from anything learned here shotgun gauges is has some.! Had taken North Americas squirrel Slam in a single season be used for upland and game. Rabbits, doves, quail, pheasants, ducks, and then shoot it dumb... Of energy agree with the Ruger 10/22, every gun owner should at.
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