Author Topic: Shot size for squirrel (Read 1220 times)

dicaela · « **on:** October 01, 2005, 01:51:06 PM »

I'm going squirrel hunting and I'll using my 20g shotgun(I don't have a .410, but if I enjoy it enough who knows, may just need to get one) and I was wondering what is a good size of shot to use.

mag shooter · « **Reply #1 on:** October 01, 2005, 02:18:02 PM »

I haven't shotgun hunted in a long time, but when I did I always liked to pattern mine with # 4 #5 and #6. Each gun will seem to prefer one over the others. Depending on the yardage you will be shooting, all of these will work. #6 was my favorite if I remember right.

Good hunting to you!!

mjbgalt · « **Reply #2 on:** October 01, 2005, 02:46:47 PM »

i used #5 to shoot mine this morning. i have 5's and 6's. my dad tends to use 4 and 5 and i like the 6s because they give you a tiny edge by how many pellets there are. but then you may be picking more out of the squirrels too.

up to you.

-Matt

mag-check · « **Reply #3 on:** October 01, 2005, 04:25:20 PM »

Go with remington Nitro Mags #4. Mag-check

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** October 01, 2005, 05:18:08 PM »

I've done very little squirrel "hunting" with a shotgun. Long years ago I have one of the Savage O/U rifle/shotgun combos in .22 mag and 20 gauge. With it I shot 1-1/4 oz of #7-1/2 and it worked nicely on the occasions I used the shotgun rather than rifle barrel.

Then I stopped using it and went to a .22LR only for hunting.

BUT I do use a shotgun for pest control of them to save some of my fruit for me each year. For the most part I use 1-1/4 to 2 oz of #4 shot for that job but have found that #8 and #7-1/2 still work well for it also.

I reckon if I were again going to hunt them with a shotgun I'd use 7-1/2 if a 20 ga or smaller and #6 or even #4 if a 12 ga.

dicaela · « **Reply #5 on:** October 01, 2005, 07:11:25 PM »

Thanks for the replies. Now I need to get to the range and see what patterns best out of my shotgun.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #6 on:** October 02, 2005, 03:52:45 AM »

Most US made field shotguns are regulated to shoot #6 shot best. A 12ga will usually shoot up to #4 ok and a 16ga #5 ok. A 20ga is probably best using #6 shot. I like #5 shot in my 12 & 16 ga guns.

koli · « **Reply #7 on:** October 02, 2005, 06:30:51 AM »

I've always used #6. Usually in a 20 gauge.

dicaela · « **Reply #8 on:** October 18, 2005, 09:49:32 AM »

Well, I went to the range and fired some 4's, 5's, and 6's. I liked the way the 6's patterned, but the 5's patterned pretty nicely too.
Yesterday I went out with the #6 and got myself my first squirrel. Actually, my first anything as I haven't been hunting very long. I'm happy. Maybe this luck will run into deer season this year.

koli · « **Reply #9 on:** October 18, 2005, 11:52:02 AM »

congrats. and good luck with those deer.

dicaela · « **Reply #10 on:** October 19, 2005, 06:10:18 AM »

Thanks. Good luck to you too. Regular deer season doesn't start here until the Saturday before Thanksgiving, so I've still got a wait.