Author Topic: What's your fav. squirrel gun? (Read 40635 times)

maddmaxx · « **Reply #60 on:** July 26, 2004, 04:23:40 AM »

I guess I like whatever I'm hunting deer with the best. Seems that's when I get the best chances for squirrels. 20 ga slug, .58 ml, .45LC. But if I'm only after squirrels, my longtime favorite has been .32's. Remington #4 rolling block in .32 rf for sentiment, and it makes a nice hole, so they don't drag themselves off. But last yr I got a .17HMR. (They're dead before they fall.) That's one fine little shell!

xgboy · « **Reply #61 on:** July 26, 2004, 06:31:01 AM »

Maddmaxx:

A very interesting and unusual squirrel battery. I bet they sneak up close just to see what you're using! Two questions: where do you find .32 RF ammo (an acquaintance may be looking for some to feed his Marlin 1892); please elaborate on your use of the .17 HMR. Are you limited to head shots only, i.e., will a body shot field dress them in the tree? Lawdog reports carnage with anything but head shots. I've used a .22 WMR for 30+ years, but must use FMJ loadings to minimize meat loss, while enjoying the Mag's much flatter trajectory. The Hornet is even more critical.

What kind of velocities are you likely getting with the .32 RF #4? I've used my Marlin 1894CL in 32-20 (loaded to about 1200 fps) with rewarding results.

Rmouleart · « **Reply #62 on:** July 26, 2004, 06:56:54 AM »

A .177 airgun scoped, I like stealth myself, especially around the house, but your shots have to be well placed, I have been downing critters for many years using a scoped airgun, I head shoot them, they die just as fast as a center fire, with allot less noise

I like to sit on the backside of my house before dusk,wait for the squirrels to cross the farms tree lin., Really gets your squeeze down, for the big boomer's. Me and my father use to work as a team while hunting squirrels in my younger days, good memories. Bye the way grey squirrels are good chewing as well. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

7magWoodsman · « **Reply #63 on:** July 27, 2004, 09:26:50 PM »

Ruger MKII (pistol) as for ammo I use Remington 22 Target

maddmaxx · « **Reply #64 on:** July 30, 2004, 02:37:44 PM »

xgboy: I wouldn't want to shoot a squirrel lengthwise with the .17HMR, but on a crosswise shot where you can hit head or chest, you can hear 'em pop. No crawling off. Haven't lost meat, but have lost shots I might have taken with .22 or .32. As to the .32rf, it's not a long range shooter, but with the long rimfires, it does a good job at pistol range. Got several boxes from Navy Arms a few yrs ago. Dixie Gun Works also sells 'em, but more costly. They also sell cases with an offset .22 chamber so you can load your own (using the priming only). Don't know the velocity. Slow, but heavier, so it goes through.

JPSaxMan · « **Reply #65 on:** August 10, 2004, 09:12:16 AM »

OK, call me a cheater, but I don't really care. The first time I went squirrel huntin' I used a Savage Mark II .22 with CCI Blazer 40 gr. Solid Points. I shot at 3 squirrels with open sights and MISSED :oops:

That was 4 years ago. About 2 years later I acquired a Remington 870 Wingmaster. That squirrel season I nailed 5 squirrels using Remington's 12 gauge Express Load with 4 shot. It kills em' deader than a doornail :twisted:

maddmaxx · « **Reply #66 on:** August 13, 2004, 05:10:16 AM »

Stew with buckshot beats no stew at all

goldhound56 · « **Reply #67 on:** September 08, 2004, 04:45:01 PM »

:-D I have about 4 guns i'll use during the season ! ( 1 ) NEF .22cal & 410ga. combo ( 2 ) NEF 20 ga. ( 3 ) Ruger 10/22 ! It all depends on where i'm at and when ( leaves ) !! :roll:

Graybeard · « **Reply #68 on:** September 08, 2004, 06:01:41 PM »

Boy what an old old thread. This one will be 17 months old tomorrow as I type this. It's had regular additions right along all of that time too.

And now has been reopened by one of our newer members who by strange turn of fate happens to live just a scant few miles down the road from me. Dang near anywhere in Alexandria can't be much over 8-10 miles from here as the crow flys and maybe no more by road.

Welcome neighbor.

I see I've never even responded to it in all those 17 months.

My all time favorite which I no longer own but used for more years than any other was my old Weatherby Mark XXII semiauto. Man that was one finely accurate rifle and just loved CCI Mini Mag HPs. I once emptied a full tube of them into a target at 50 yards that you could cover with a nickel and almost cover with a dime. I used that old rifle to win several trophies back in my NRA Metallic Silhouette shooting days. Let it go to my cousin who had one also but his was even more wear worn than mine.

I hope my new favorite becomes my TC Classic. That's why I bought it. I've been using my Remington 541-T tho since I let go of my MKXXII.

fyrepowrx · « **Reply #69 on:** September 11, 2004, 04:37:32 PM »

jeez, thats like asking a father to pick his favorite son!!!!

Rimfire: Kimber model 82 .22 w/ Leupold 4-12x scope
OR (when the leaves fall & shots are long) TC Carbine, .17 HMR w/ B&L 4-12x

Muzzleloader: TC cherokee, .32 caliber usually. (sometimes a .36 cal barrel w/ scope)

Handuns: Smith & Wesson 17 K-22 w/ Leupold 4x OR 10" Contender .22 w/4x Leupold

Centerfire: (yes i had to have a centerfire carbine barrel built just for squirrel huntin...) Contender Carbine, 20" tapered barrel, 25/20 Winchester, w/ 4x Burris compact

last time i counted i had 11 guns i call "squirrel guns" ... ya cant have too many...

HipShot · « **Reply #70 on:** September 26, 2004, 06:06:10 AM »

My favorite squirrel gun. That's a tough one.

If it's just me, my absolute favorite of all time is one I bought about 5 years ago. A Mossberg 500E .410 with a 24 inch barrel and full choke. It's as much of a tackdriver as a .410 can be. Memories probably help add to the enjoyment here, but this one has never failed me. I'm actually considering taking it deer hunting this year instead of my 94. It'll reduce my effective range, but around here most shots are less than 75 yards anyway.

When I'm with my 11 year old, we use a pair of .22s; a Glenfield (Marlin 60), and an antique Western Auto (Marlin 99). Both of these are accurate with anything I feed them.

Last, (but not least), there is a joy in using an air rifle for squirrel. There's something about the quiet "plop".

Joel · « **Reply #71 on:** October 04, 2004, 07:54:07 PM »

I've two: my Savage 24V 22 Hornet/20guage with handloads using 4.0 gr of Unique and a 45 gr Speer Varmiter for 1500 fps and groups you can cover with a dime at 50 yds....1.5 inches low at 100 and the groups open up to 1/2".
Almost replicates the old 22 WRF loading, except 100 fps faster. The second is my old Model 69 winchester that my dad bought me( used) when I was 12. I"m 60 now. Have NO idea how many squirrels and other critters I"ve taken with that. Always liked Super-X hollow points and groups them like a Match rifle.

Gregory · « **Reply #72 on:** October 19, 2004, 02:03:49 PM »

To thin out the critters from my "deer woods" I use my Remington LH 581 22LR. For fun, either a 10" TC Contender 22Mag or CVA 32 Varminter Muzzleloader.

THE#1hunter · « **Reply #73 on:** October 22, 2004, 08:25:04 PM »

My .20g ithica with #6's... :grin:

KYsquirrelsniper · « **Reply #74 on:** November 04, 2004, 10:42:57 PM »

My favorite is my Marlin 880SQ shooting Mini-Mag HPs. It's not my most accurate rifle, but I've just always liked it for some reason. I've shot it so much that it's almost like an extension of my arms, so it's usually the one I grab when going hunting.

whacker · « **Reply #75 on:** November 05, 2004, 02:39:52 PM »

My favorite squirrel gun is my MOSSBERG 183 KA .410 with 3'' shells I've killed alot of tree rats :grin:

WNC · « **Reply #76 on:** November 07, 2004, 02:49:50 PM »

Remington 510 Scoremaster that I've had for 25 years. Gets them everytime as long as I do my part

mjbgalt · « **Reply #77 on:** November 08, 2004, 02:21:18 PM »

i would have to say my remington 511A Scoremaster.

for being much older than me, it still does a damn fine job.

-Matt

r800rt · « **Reply #78 on:** November 14, 2004, 05:33:12 AM »

CZ 452 Special .22lr with Bushnell 3x9x40, pure death on all small critters.

NYH1 · « **Reply #79 on:** November 19, 2004, 10:28:49 AM »

I've been thinking about getting a Remington 870 Express in .410 or 28 ga. They both have a 25 inch barrel with a fixed mod. choke. I'm getting a Remington 11-87 Premier 20 ga. with a 26 inch barrel with the Remchoke system for christmas. I think a 20 ga. is a little to big for squirrels.

Vern Humphrey · « **Reply #80 on:** December 10, 2004, 05:20:48 AM »

My favorite is my M82 Kimber, with a 4X Burris compact scope. I shoot a lot of Winchester Wildcat solids in it -- which does fine on squirrels. Recently, I tried Wal Mart Winchester hollowpoints and found them a bit much. A head shot that passes through the head shouldn't tear up the body when it re-enters the body.

reyn 61 · « **Reply #81 on:** December 15, 2004, 02:56:58 AM »

Mine use to be a 22. Now its the 17HM2.

coopershooter · « **Reply #82 on:** December 19, 2004, 01:49:50 PM »

my favorite is my contender carbine in .22lr, and i have a few air guns that have filled my bag with.

Ron T. · « **Reply #83 on:** December 29, 2004, 09:05:06 PM »

My favorite squirrel gun???

That's easy... my Ruger 10/22 with its 3x-9x by 32mm variable scope. That combination shoots dime-sized groups @ 50 yards off the bench-rest with the scope set on "9X".

The light, handly little Ruger carbine "likes" Federal or Super-X hi-velocity, long-rifle hollow-points for head shots on stationary squirrels or a killing hit on running squirrels.

Strength & Honor...

Ron T.

ratgunner · « **Reply #84 on:** December 31, 2004, 11:59:56 AM »

:-) MY FAVORITE SQUIRRELY GUN ?That would be my ruger single-six 61/2" bbl. .22 with a pocket full of cci mini mags. Now thats apleasant way to spend some woods time.

earschplitinloudenboomer · « **Reply #85 on:** January 09, 2005, 10:53:04 PM »

.32 cal muzzel loader. CVA barrel, Davis squirrel lock, stock whittled from local black walnut, furniture carved from black horn, including butt plate.
...only hitch, doesn't shoot the round balls that well, mold 103gr maxi's and is very accurate.

Larebow · « **Reply #86 on:** January 22, 2005, 07:23:41 AM »

Browning buckmark bullseye pistol;with custom rosewood target grips aweigand combat mount and a burris ao 3-12. I can hold small groups with this pistol at 50 yards alll day long (better than buddy and his ruger rifle) My 11year old can take squirrels at that distance.All with a rest of course.

SQUACKS · « **Reply #87 on:** January 22, 2005, 12:53:52 PM »

.22 cal. cz varminter with 4.5x14x40 ao leopold vari x 3.

but.....at the last shawnee hunt i won the iron sight contest handily with a .32 cal fullstock penns. caplock that i built myself back in the 70's. it sure is a fun gun to hunt with!

luck!

indian*dave · « **Reply #88 on:** January 22, 2005, 04:50:19 PM »

My favorite squirrel gun is hands down my 32. cal. Kentucky Long rifle . It makes squirrel hunting a real sport. You get one shot or wait another 15 minutes so you tend to make it count. I usually don't set the woods on fire killing but that is why they call it hunting. I believe that black powder makes the squirrels tastier.

CPTLEO · « **Reply #89 on:** January 23, 2005, 06:21:52 PM »

An antique winchester gallery gun full of .22 shorts it is topped of with an equally old 4x Weaver with a 4 " dot in it.

An incredible killing machine.