Author Topic: bolt action or semi for squirrels (Read 3301 times)

Dank · « **on:** August 12, 2007, 08:06:45 PM »

which is better bolt action or semi for squirrel hunting i heard the bolt is more accurate. but that follow up with the semi shot is nice too. any thoughts i was looking at the savage mk2 f from wally world i thought about getting any thouhts i already have a marlin 60 sb. i as thinking on a bolt action to try this season.

EVOC ONE · « **Reply #1 on:** August 13, 2007, 12:28:29 AM »

My own experience has shown that it doesn't make a difference with a basic .22 Marlin, Savage, etc. The difference in accuracy is usually decided by the type and manufacturer of ammo.

As a rule, the lock up system for a bolt style gun is considered the basis for better accuracy than a semi-auto. With the basic .22, I'm not sure that makes a significant difference.

If a person is familiar with their bolt action repeater, they can get off a rather quick second shot. Obviously, not as fast as a semi-auto, but quick enough for squirrel.

I don't own have a Savage Mk II, so I cannot comment of that particular model.

Good luck with your choice.

Mikey · « **Reply #2 on:** August 13, 2007, 12:53:03 AM »

Dank - one is not necessarily more accurate than the other. You see many semis on the target ranges these days and the Ruger 10/22 comes to mind, specifically.

Squirrels - I rarely see one that I wish to shoot just once and most often I see a pair or more, necessitating quicker shots than a bolt can provide.

I have to tell ya that the other reason I like a semi is because they are soooo much fun. I often get Great Blue Heron coming into my fish pond and I have no intention of letting them stay around. Some of these birds are just plain dumb and don't understand the impact of a bullet in the mud at their feet. How so ever, when I start 'walking' the slugs across the pond and right under their beaks the lightbulb seems to come on inside their pointly little heads and they 'gronk' themselves the hay outta there. Now that's fun................ Mikey.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #3 on:** August 13, 2007, 03:20:09 AM »

It's what ever turns your crank. There is not one better than the other. As a boy I used the only gun I had. A Stevens bolt action. Now that I have many, many 22's I use what ever seems right that day. May it be a 22 rifle, 22 Contender, a 22 revolver or 22 auto pistol. The one's that I use alot lately are one of my Ruger 10/22's or my T/C Classic.
So I guess that it means that the auto is my favorite squirrel gun right now.

whiskey101 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 13, 2007, 04:22:44 AM »

You missed the best option...The Lever Action.

Check out a Henry H001. You get a nice gun at a nice price. Plenty accurate and quick follow up shots. I use a bolt action sometimes, I have used autos. I prefer a leveraction.

flintlock · « **Reply #5 on:** August 13, 2007, 05:22:59 AM »

I use both!!!!

The first gun I bought on my own was a Remington 552 Speedmaster, back in 1961...I used open sights a few years and then put a Weaver 1.5x4.5 scope on it...I killed tons of squirrels with this outfit...As far as accuracy, it's good, about 1 to 1 1/4 inch at 25 yards...But...

A few years back, I decided to treat myself to a nice .22...I bought a Remington 541-T with the curly maple stock and put a Leupold Compact
3x9x33 scope in it...With CCI Hollow Points, I can keep all shots within a dime at 50 yards...

I use them for different times of year...The Speedmaster in the early season, when they are cutting hickory nuts and acorns, most shots are well within 25 yards because you have good cover to stalk close...

The 541 in January and February, after all the leaves have fallen, where sitting is more productive than stalking...With the range of this gun, seconds shots are easy, you can reach out there and kill them, stay still, they can't stay still very long...When they don't know where you are, they don't know which way to run and I have often limited out (8 here in NC) by by never moving...

FourBee · « **Reply #6 on:** August 13, 2007, 08:10:26 AM »

I agree with OLDHandgunner.

Pick out what fancies you and enjoy your hunts.

Graybeard · « **Reply #7 on:** August 13, 2007, 11:27:49 AM »

From the stand point of pure efficiency the semiauto is better in that there is no extra movement or noise required for a quick follow up in case you miss or there are more than one squirrel in the immediate vincinity to shoot. I've had both situations occur.

But in the real world it seldom really matters and any action type works just fine so long as you and it are accurate enough to do the job. I've used a semiauto the most followed by a bolt and have also used both lever and pumps on them. I can't honestly say that I felt the action type ever made a real difference in the number I shot.

Oldtimer · « **Reply #8 on:** August 14, 2007, 02:37:25 AM »

For a disciplined shooter, it should come down to personal preference. If you are going to train a young shooter with it , then I would go with the bolt action. When I was in high school, I hunted with a single-shot Remington 513, and my best friend had a semi-auto that held 21 Long Rifles. When we went squrrel hunting, I would come back with one squirrel and fire maybe two or three shots, and my friend would come back with one squirrel and have shot at least 21 shots, if not two full magazines. He actually was a better shot on paper, but lost control when he was in the field.

Fat NDN · « **Reply #9 on:** August 15, 2007, 05:52:27 PM »

As far as .22's go, I am a avid CZ shooter. I have had Remington, Ruger, and still own 2 Savages, but none shoot as accurate as
my CZ 452 American. But, I kill squirrels all the time with a RWS .177 pellet rifle, from 25 - 60 yds., and I have a witnessed 100 yd.
kill. I do have a good scope on it.

RWS 40M

30-06man · « **Reply #10 on:** August 16, 2007, 04:28:50 PM »

with one good shot there is no need for a fast follow up shot. some people may disagree with this. i personally don't shoot rifles in the air at squirrels just use a shotgun. for the same price as a .22 you can have a nef single shot shotgun

buffermop · « **Reply #11 on:** August 16, 2007, 04:52:39 PM »

Did you ask the squirrels?

30-06man · « **Reply #12 on:** August 16, 2007, 05:08:35 PM »

man i have friends who have been hurt and one killed by some idiot shooting the air. a .22 will go a mile up and a high powered rifle even more. its just good to know that you can do it in one shot. some people get a little trigger happy and worry more about the 2ND and third shot than the first. although i have a semi auto for target shooting and plinking.

~Ace~ · « **Reply #13 on:** August 16, 2007, 05:11:05 PM »

Bolt action with Bee caps

NHRebel · « **Reply #14 on:** August 22, 2007, 07:08:44 AM »

I have been using a Sears bolt action given to me by my Grandfather for a Christmas present when I was 11.
Decent groupings with a 4x scope. It has provided many squirrel and dumplings dinners over the years.
If you need more than one shot, go practice your marksmanship or sneaking around abilities.
If you use a shotgun well then you have my pity.

NHRebel
one shot one squirrel
two shots you're a bad shot
one shotgun blast, watch those pellets when you eat your torn up squirrrel!

30-06man · « **Reply #15 on:** August 22, 2007, 12:35:29 PM »

OH OK well you know shooting a rifle in the air ain't smart. people i knew were killed by a simple .22 bullet flying though the air. OH that's right i can shoot a 1in group with a Remington model 6 improved that's almost 100 years old that has original sights and that's at 25 yards. but i guess i still don't shoot well. that's yeah that's open handed not on some wimpy little rest. well you know i guess i would like to consider stuff like wheres that bullet going to land and is it worth the risk of lawsuits i maybe redneck but i ain't shooting rifles in the air. call me a wimp call me a bad shot but i know i ain't.

i wouldn't shoot a rifle in the air its stupid.
you may have to pick a few pellets out but at least i know i am not risking anything for a squirrel.
i can shoot well i will use a .22 if its on the ground.
you can do just as good with a pellet rifle if you wanted it for shorter ranges

old coach · « **Reply #16 on:** September 13, 2007, 12:23:40 PM »

I use a custom built 10-22 ( I put it together with help of RFC) with a Leup 2X7 RF in the early season when the leaves are still on the trees. In the late Fall I use a Win model 61 pump with an old Weaver K-4.
Both are great rifles.

Tikker · « **Reply #17 on:** April 28, 2008, 07:59:47 AM »

Out of all the .22's I have hunted with for squirrels, I enjoyed most was my Savage single shot bolt with peep sights. My Winchester semi-auto was fun for quick second shots, but it just didn't give the same pride in my hunting as that old single shot did, and I never needed a second shot to hit my target when that Savage was in my hands.

It was a shame that a fire took my collection from me. Still trying to find the same savage to buy though.....someday I'll get one again.

Tikker

yooper77 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 06, 2008, 05:20:32 AM »

I have a Remington Model 580, its a single shot. It's nice to spend the morning small game hunting and always come back with reds or gray squirrels and either cottontail rabbits and snowshoe hares. The first well placed shot is superior to any hasty follow up shots from either a repeater bolt action or semi-auto.

red and gray fox and coyotes have fallen to my little single shot too.

yooper77

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #19 on:** May 06, 2008, 08:23:12 AM »

It depends on your shooting philosophy: sniper (bolt or single shot), machine gunner (semi-auto), or anti-aircraft (shotgun). Although I like the Ruger 10/22, I currently use: an EAA Basic Biathlon straight-pull bolt action, a T/C Contender, or a Savage 24C .22/20 ga. My RWS 36 .22 cal. pellet gun works well at closer ranges, and I don't have to worry about missing overhead shots. I obviously prefer the sniper philosophy. I don't worry about a fast second shot, and don't shoot at moving targets.

Savage .250 · « **Reply #20 on:** May 06, 2008, 09:57:25 AM »

For me it was a BOLT. It made me think more about my choice of shot selection. One and done, worked for me.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #21 on:** June 17, 2008, 06:13:04 PM »

a 22 coming dn from and high shot is limited as to power and speed .. it no longer matters what put it up there .. what matters is wind ,wt of rd as its a free falling
object.. thinks i..

TommyD · « **Reply #22 on:** June 23, 2008, 02:59:22 AM »

I think I fall in the "sniper" philosophy and go for the bolt. My Anschutz 1416D sporter is FAR more accurate than my Ruger 10/22. Inch and a half groups are not that hard at 100 yards with the Federal Premium Gold Medal Target 40 gr solids.

My rifle and scope combination hits essentially the same point of impact at 25 and 50 yards, so I am good to go for a head shot out to 50 with a solid.

If I were chasing away pests or small predators from the garden and all I had was was a .22 I would go with the Ruger and a couple of magazines of CCI Velocitors. In my area last year there were a couple of reports of coyotes attacking family pets. But that's not really hunting. It is more of a "Repel Boarders" situation to which the normal rules of hunting don't apply.

Tom

Quote from: woodchukhntr on May 06, 2008, 08:23:12 AM

It depends on your shooting philosophy: sniper (bolt or single shot), machine gunner (semi-auto), or anti-aircraft (shotgun). Although I like the Ruger 10/22, I currently use: an EAA Basic Biathlon straight-pull bolt action, a T/C Contender, or a Savage 24C .22/20 ga. My RWS 36 .22 cal. pellet gun works well at closer ranges, and I don't have to worry about missing overhead shots. I obviously prefer the sniper philosophy. I don't worry about a fast second shot, and don't shoot at moving targets.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #23 on:** June 23, 2008, 06:02:33 AM »

I was at the range with my squirrel sniper, a EAA Biathlon Basic, yesterday. I was sighting it in with Federal Spitfires since Gander Mtn. has them for only $2.99 per box. It shoots them into 1" at 50 yds. Anyway, I was just shooting some Remington Target ammo, and decided to try shooting shotgun shells at 50 and 75 yd. At 50, I was hitting 9 out of 10, and at 75, 3 for 5 shots. I think that the local squirrel polulation is in trouble.

TommyD · « **Reply #24 on:** June 23, 2008, 08:18:17 AM »

Seems such a shame that, here in NY State, squirrel season doesn't start until September.... Can you hear the whine in my voice?

Reactive targets are FUN. I shoot paper to make sure the groups center where they should, then I like to shoot the steel ones that don't need to reset. More shooting and less walking to and from the targets. A week ago saturday, I was out at my hunting camp. 165 yards out from my deer stand I set up a mini steel pepper popper. The width of the head is about 4 inches. Once I got the zero worked out (12 MOA up from my 50 yd zero shooting slightly downhill) I could ding the head pretty regularly. Mostly 4/5 with some 5/5. The ringing sound is quite satisfying every time I connect. A fresh application of spray paint from time to time lets me verify my shot placement and group sizes.

Excellent practice for both deer and squirrel season! Since I am shooting from my deer stand (mini tower) under the exact same conditions I hunt in (except for the winter weather), I know I will be able reliably place the shot on demand. I LOVE practicing with my .22 rifle. Low noise, low recoil, and inexpensive.

I have already fired over a thousand rounds of practice this spring and summer, and will go through at least that much again before the fall.

This level of practice does pay off. One shot at dawn with my muzzleloader on opening day last november got me a freezer full of venison. It is amazing the damage that a 300 grain Hornady XTP hollowpoint will do at 2000 fps. But it does kick like a mule. Another reason I really LOVE my .22 Anschutz sporter. I don't think I would have much of a shoulder left if I shot that many heavy loads.

Tom

Quote from: woodchukhntr on June 23, 2008, 06:02:33 AM

I was at the range with my squirrel sniper, a EAA Biathlon Basic, yesterday. I was sighting it in with Federal Spitfires since Gander Mtn. has them for only $2.99 per box. It shoots them into 1" at 50 yds. Anyway, I was just shooting some Remington Target ammo, and decided to try shooting shotgun shells at 50 and 75 yd. At 50, I was hitting 9 out of 10, and at 75, 3 for 5 shots. I think that the local squirrel polulation is in trouble.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #25 on:** June 23, 2008, 08:37:33 AM »

Tom,

Where do you live? I'm near Utica.

slim rem 7 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 08, 2008, 03:46:45 PM »

this 22 stuff has taught me something.. i ll go back to the first responce on this post..
if you rifles decent,, good ammo can make it look like a million bucks..but good ammo aint that easy to get.. not eye ball at a hundred yd ammo..i got two bricks an you couldn t buy it from me period unless i made arrangements and knew i could get two more bricks of it.. far as i know my source is not letting anymore out as hes dn to what he can use in his lifetime..good luck

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #27 on:** July 18, 2008, 02:03:55 PM »

I hunt them with either my Ruger 10-22 or my ruger MKII Target handgun

torpedoman · « **Reply #28 on:** July 18, 2008, 06:49:58 PM »

best squirrel gun i have is a savage 410 22 o/u best of all worlds.